Mobil 1 vs. Castrol Syntec

My reasons are that Mobil1 is sold in a 5 qt container, at a much better price than even Mobil1 quarts. Also, I've used Mobil1 for my Honda Rebel 250 that is at 90K miles on an air-cooled engine.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(morpheusx @ May 14 2007, 06:12 PM) [snapback]442054[/snapback]</div>

At the risk of instigating something of a flame war, the difference between the two tends to turn on the definition of synthetic and which of the two is the purer synthetic at the moment. They are both good products. If you adhere to the 5,000 mile/6 month change interval (and you do an oil and filter change), I doubt you will see any problems with either product.

 

Between the two the "most" synthetic is the Castrol Syntec 0W30 which is made and imported from Germany. If your looking for it make sure it says "made in Germany" on the back, I've only seen it at Autozone and on e-bay. Some of the Mobil 1 thinner grades like 0W20 still have a good PAO base stock though that may be shifting, ekpolk could shed more light on that.

As for oil filter search the forums, been discussed before. The Toyota filter is a little unusual in design but has done a decent job. The filters for Toyota are now made in Thailand and have a cardboard end piece similar to other filters, including most Frams. Again search the forums and you'll see some pictures. I use a Mobil 1 filter size M1-209, bigger than either of Toyota's 4 cylinder filters but same bypass pressure and anti-drainback, just larger with more filter media which is synthetic.

Wayne

 

I'll throw something else into the mix. I use Amsoil 0W30 along with their filter and change every 10,000 miles (6 months). Even though it approaches $10./qt. I am very happy with it. Anyone else doing this as well?

PA P

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PA Prius @ May 15 2007, 08:49 AM) [snapback]442364[/snapback]</div>

I don't remember, have you done a UOA yet?

Wayne

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ May 15 2007, 06:43 AM) [snapback]442359[/snapback]</div>

This is an interesting bit of news.... I might check into this. Presumably the filter is compatible on all the important dimensions (gasket surface diameter, clearance between the filter body and other engine components, etc.)?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(apriusfan @ May 15 2007, 11:48 AM) [snapback]442488[/snapback]</div>

Yep, fits just fine. If you dared you could find a very slightly larger diameter filter, but since the M1-209 is about double the size of the Toyota filter....

Wayne

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ May 15 2007, 09:59 AM) [snapback]442497[/snapback]</div>

My curiosity increases.... How many total miles have you put on your car using the M1-209 filters?

 

About 30,000 out of 45,000 miles.

Wayne

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ May 15 2007, 09:04 AM) [snapback]442377[/snapback]</div>

Uhh, what is a UOA?

PA P

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PA Prius @ May 15 2007, 06:13 PM) [snapback]442782[/snapback]</div>

Used Oil Analysis

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bob64 @ May 15 2007, 05:21 PM) [snapback]442791[/snapback]</div>

No, I haven't done a UOA.

PA P

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ May 15 2007, 09:59 AM) [snapback]442497[/snapback]</div>

I went to the auto parts store (Pep Boys) and checked out the M1-209 vs. the M1-103 (which Exxon/Mobil lists as the replacement for the OEM Prius oil filter). Presuming the Toyota oil filter has the same dimensions as the M1-103 filter, the sealing ring of the 209 filter is about 1/8 inch larger in diameter than the sealing ring of the 103 filter. Since the 209 filter's sealing ring is the same width as the 103 filter's, it seems that the 209 filter could have a potential mis-fit with the mounting flange. I like the larger filtering content of the 209 filter, but am concerned about potential mis-fit to the filter mounting flange. Any ideas? I know you have had 30,000 miles with the 209 filter; maybe I am just being obsessive????

 

You are correct in your observations about the filters. The Prius mounting flange is actually quite wide. The M1-209 filter still has a little room before it gets to the edge of the flange. If your interested, buy the larger filter at your next oil change and do a fit and see the mounting of the gasket on the flange.

Wayne

 

FWIW, I just used the M1-103 and am going to stick with that for my next few changes. It is obviously better quality than the OEM Toyota filter, so I think going with a larger filter like the M1-209 is probably overkill. In the future, I may look into an Amsoil bypass set-up.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ May 20 2007, 03:29 PM) [snapback]446287[/snapback]</div>

And an Amsoil bypass set-up isn't (overkill)?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(apriusfan @ May 20 2007, 07:07 PM) [snapback]446303[/snapback]</div>

We are talking apples and oranges here. A bypass set-up functions differently than a regular (full-flow) oil filter. A bigger filter is just going to increase your oil capacity and the surface area of the filter itself. On the other hand, a bypass filter works in conjunction with the full-flow filter by filtering oil on a “partial-flow†basis. It draws approximately 10 percent of the oil pump’s capacity at any one time and traps the extremely small, wear-causing contaminants that full-flow filters can’t remove. A bypass filter typically filters all the oil in the system several times an hour, so the engine continuously receives analytically clean oil.

So, yes, merely upgrading the physical size of the regular filter, in my opinion, is overkill. You gain a very marginal benefit by having increased filter surface area. If you really want better filtration, then a bypass system is clearly the way to go.