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Genuine Toyota Motor Oil vs Mobil 1

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by ATHiker, Jul 17, 2016.

  1. ATHiker

    ATHiker Senior Member

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    Does anyone know if synthetic Genuine Toyota Motor Oil is Identical to Mobil 1 -- but packaged as private label?



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  2. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    In for an answer on this as well which is better.
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    It's interesting that Toyota dealerships offer both, seems akin to supermarket house brands. The Toyota oil for me is so cheap: I don't even contemplate buying anything else. But yeah, would be interesting to know who's making it.
     
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  4. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Both are good oils.
    My Opinion (since nobody asked) is that Toyota's house brand will never be made by Toyota, since the Folks in Aichi do not manufacture synthetic oil.
    They make cars and trucks.
    This means that even if their house brand is manufactured by XYZ earls, LLC today.......that might not be true tomorrow.
    Mobil 1 OTOH is pretty much going to be made by Mobil 1, since they pay lots of money to have manufacturers recommend their oil.

    If you're going to have the dealer change the oil in your car and stick to the oil change interval recommended by the OEM, then it's not going to really matter which one you use.
    If you're going to ever DIY or pay your wrencing done somewhere else, then The advantage of using M1 is that it is more widely available.

    The most important 2 questions you have to ask yourself before your first oil change are.....
    1. How many times did I check the oil level during this oil change interval?
    2. Am I REALLY going to keep the car for more than 4 years?

    Good Luck!
     
  5. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Remember a thread somewhere around here on this very subject. Think the Toyota oil had different specifications (temp/shear)???. Also remember each was better at something??????

    Clean earl is like going to the bathroom on a regular basis. Needs to happen.
     
  6. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    I was told a few years ago that Toyota Synthetic oil, 0w20 oil, was made by Mobil One. That was at the Toyota parts dept. by a well seasoned sales rep.

    I have been using Mobil One synthetic oil since 1994 when I purchased at the time my brand new 1994 Honda Civic, the rare and very fuel efficient VX model. I changed the oil every 7,000 miles -7,500 miles on a regular basis and it never used any oil to speak of and I never had to add any oil. I recall I took the valve cover off to adjust the valves at about 130,000 miles or so. They were still withing specs. and the valve train look brand new. I was amazed. Still use Mobil One synthetic oil today in our 2010 Prius and will use it as well in our 2016 Volt, both 0w20 weight.
     
  7. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Toyota oil vs Mobil One oil | PriusChat

    Knew there was a thread on this. Not totally brain dead yet, but getting there.


    The Toyota 0W20 is designed to be as light as possible at typical start-ups and especially for use in Toyota's hybrid vehicles.

    The Toyota 0W20 VI is one of the very highest, 216, compared to Mobil 1's much lower 173. Toyota's 40C cST is 37.38 cST compared to Mobil's 40C 44.8cST. ( Lower is much better here )

    Toyota's 100C is 8.54 cSt compared to Mobil 1's 8.7 cST.

    In addition, the HTHS of the Toyota 0w20 is 2.6 compared to Mobil 1's 2.7.....and the AW package is much better also.

    What the numbers all mean is that the Toyota 0W20 synthetic is about 35% lighter than M1's 0W20 at 0C (32F) and 25% lighter at room temperatures. These factors all combine for easy starts and less wear for the frequent start/stop operation of the Prius ICE ( and other Toyota's where it's specified for use ) and for maximum fuel economy.

    There have been many UOA's that substantiate it's durability up to 10K and that it protects very well.

    It's an excellent oil for use in all Toyoa;s Hybrids and other non-hybrid engines it is spec'd for.
     
    #7 ETP, Jul 17, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2016
  8. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    That's my opinion as well.
    Regardless of who manufacturers Toyota Oil, I've never heard it was in any way substandard. And I believe any good synthetic should be fine for the oil change interval recommended.

    So Mobil One or Toyota? I'm willing to use either.

    Even though I just read ETP's post above....
    And if that information is valid, it would seem to suggest usage of Toyota's branded Oil might have advantages.
    I still think either Oil is considered good/great quality and valid.
     
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  9. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Probably stick with Toyota as my stock of Mobile One is depleted.

    Sometimes heavier is better in very hot climates/maybe/who would ever know.
     
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  10. Gen 2 Tom

    Gen 2 Tom Active Member

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    At advanced auto and others, when you buy Mobil one there is always a deal on 5 quarts and a filter. When they don't have the 5 qt container they give you the same price on the quarts
     
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  11. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Toyota 0W-20 for USA (and I assume also Canada) is currently manufactured by Mobil to Toyota's recipe, as far as I know. It's not the same as any of the various flavors of Mobil1.
     
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  12. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    You are correct, Toyota Oil is Mobil 1 oil, but it a has different additive package to meet Toyota spec. I would use Toyota Oil just for this reason.
     
    #12 orenji, Jul 17, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2016
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  13. Frederickdawg

    Frederickdawg Active Member

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    S*** that reminds me I need to perform the first oil change on wife's one. Over 6K miles and still stalling on the DIY LOL.
     
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  14. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Drove by your area last month in some new subdivisions near the Vet PKWY and my wife said, "there is nothing around here".

    I said, "we live in the weeds now whats the problem?".
     
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  15. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Plus, the dealer does it for a reasonable cost.

    If I was rich I would have a full garage lift in a man cave. Just for fun. And hire a mechanic to help me.
     
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  16. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    My two Camrys used Mobil 1 "Extended Life" full synthetic 5W-30, for 20 years. (it says it's guaranteed for 15,000 miles.) Those cars never burned oil. I never had to add any between changes. Most times, I went 18 months between changes.

    I hope I get the same great reliability with my Prius. I just hope the dealer puts in the right oil during those "free" oil changes.
     
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  17. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    The specs and labels on the lubes products tend to change all the time.
    So without inside industry knowledge or Toyota USA info we are out of ammo to know the truth.

    In the past, Toyota Synthetics seemed to be better specs than Mobil-1 but who knows today? Two or three years ago, someone posted the specs and Toyota was superior. Yes I know Toyota buys their oils from someone but Toyota can request better custom specs if Toyota chooses.

    If someone can post a picture of the Toyota lube bottle (which is harder to find in Walmart etc so I cannot get one) we can compare the ratings A1/B1 etc and I bet Toyota meets tougher specs. But I use Mobil-1 as Toyota is not as convenient to find and costs more.
     
    #17 wjtracy, Jul 24, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2016
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  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Strange, up here Toyota 0W20 oil is dirt cheap for me: $5.91 (can) per bottled liter, or $4.50 per liter bulk, which I'm doing.
     
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  19. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    I went with Mobil 1. There may be some differences in specs, but a house branded oil has no guarantee of consistency of manufacturer. The shear spec is certainly different.

    Either oil, and probably a dozen other brands, are probably of sufficient quality that there will be no discernible difference in performance in an automobile. Many will argue with this statement, however their qualifications as petroleum engineers may be questionable.
     
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  20. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    What did Exxon Mobil refine in Torrance? Is PBF Energy refining the same products? Could Toyota brand oil now be PBF?