Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0W-20/0W-30

[reframmellator]

Saw this full page ad in the Wall Street Journal for this stuff and wondered what it was. Claims a 2% mpg improvement and the website has a nifty calculator for it. I wondered how they did it and started looking through the FAQs:

Haven’t you been offering Mobil 1 0W-20 and Mobil 1 0W-30 already? What’s different about Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy?
They are the same formulations as the products marketed prior to 2008 (emphasis mine). As the importance of fuel economy has increased, we felt it was important to communicate to consumers which products in the Mobil 1 family offer the greatest potential for improved fuel economy. Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy oils are engineered to deliver outstanding engine protection while improving fuel economy.

Why do you recommend Mobil 1 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy as an alternative to 5W-20 when my car manufacturer recommends 5W-20?
Mobil 1 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy exceeds many new car warranty requirements where SAE 0W-20 or 5W-20 oil is recommended. Mobil 1 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy provides the high temperature protection of 5W-20 oils while offering improved fuel economy. As a result, many consumers can benefit from improved fuel economy while also obtaining outstanding engine protection for their vehicle. Mobil 1 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy only be used in vehicles designed to operate on either 0W-20 or 5W-20 oil.

If the manufacturer of my car recommends a 5W-20 motor oil, will I void my warranty if I use Mobil 1 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy instead?
If your car manufacturer recommends a SAE 5W-20 ILSAC oil (starburst), we recommend either Mobil 1 5W-20 or Mobil 1 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy. You will not void your warranty. Mobil 1 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy can provide better fuel economy and better low temperature performance.


So it's a crummy relabel. Same old oil, great new hype, and probably a great new price to go with it. Sheesh.

[stevencrosbie]

It is in the green cap bottles at Wollyworld. Same price as well...but now you can get the 0-30 in the 5 qt jug for about $21.

I am waiting to find the 0-20 in the 5qt jug as that is what the truck needs....

[RTexasF]

SOS and a brand new claim and label, eh? I would guess they are having trouble selling it since the average guy is afraid to use it. "My car says 5W20, I'm not using that stuff"!!!

Funny I've been using M1 0W20 since my first oil change in 2004 @ around 3200 miles. Checked this morning, there are still 3 1/2 cases of API SL in the storage shed. I'm good to go for a while yet.

[stevencrosbie]

Nice RTF.

I need to stock pile some 0-20 M1 if I can find it on sale. At 8qts an oil change....I will go through it pretty quickly.

If anyone finds any good sales, let me know

[RTexasF]

I've seen M1 5W20 in the five quart jug but not 0W20.

[dgs]

This is all hype. Just buy 5W20 Mobile 1 synthetic, it will give you the best fuel economy you can get.

[psyshack]

Ive ran M1 0w-20 and 5w-20 in our Accord and Mazda.

I prefer it over the 5w-20. But its hard to find here. Every time I see it at the local wally I buy all they have.

[RTexasF]

Originally Posted by dgs

This is all hype. Just buy 5W20 Mobile 1 synthetic, it will give you the best fuel economy you can get.

You know what? I agree. No one will notice the possible .25 mpg difference if it even exists. As I've mentioned before I bought a ton of 0W20 SL in 2004 so I'm still using it.

[hermann]

Originally Posted by stevencrosbie

Nice RTF.

I need to stock pile some 0-20 M1 if I can find it on sale. At 8qts an oil change....I will go through it pretty quickly.

With the 8 qt sump how often are you changing the oil?

[stevencrosbie]

I'm supposed to do oil changes at 5k. I did the first one at 5k. I am debating about this second one....

We know of the sludge history in the past, but this is a new motor...and I'm sure there won't be problems. I needs to stay in longer or I need to use a cheaper oil, but good luck finding 0-20 in non synthetic oil.

[sjlee]

Originally Posted by RTexasF

You know what? I agree. No one will notice the possible .25 mpg difference if it even exists. As I've mentioned before I bought a ton of 0W20 SL in 2004 so I'm still using it.

Definitely. People would get more of an increase by simply changing their driving styles. I think being "green" is all the rage right now, so Mobil is simply jumping on the bandwagon.

If you're looking to save money by increasing your gas mileage, switching to a synthetic is not the answer.

[RTexasF]

Originally Posted by stevencrosbie

I'm supposed to do oil changes at 5k. I did the first one at 5k. I am debating about this second one....

We know of the sludge history in the past, but this is a new motor...and I'm sure there won't be problems. I needs to stay in longer or I need to use a cheaper oil, but good luck finding 0-20 in non synthetic oil.

Since Toyota requires 5K changes for warranty there is no need to go with a synthetic at all. If you are taking the oil to the dealer for the service look for Motorcraft 5W20. It is a synth blend and sells for less than 1/2 of the M1, truly a superb oil. You are literally wasting gobs of money using M1 for such short change intervals. Odd that the V-8 calls for 20 weight and the 3.5l V-6 calls for 5W30.

The RAV4 is a real pain in the tailfeathers for oil changes so I've decided the dealer will be doing them with conventional oil. Tire rotation is also @ 5K. A five tire rotation along with oil & filter is only $48 so I'm going to let them deal with it.

[Willhall45]

I have been using M1 0w-20 motor oil for about 3,000 miles. I have seen a positive jump in fuel economy. People may not believe me but this oil is adding on about 40 more miles, to a tank of gas.
I drive very contently and patiently with my Accord, which I know a lot of yall can't do. But I have seen a real boost in my fuel economy. I use to use M1 5w-20 but I am going to stick with the 0w-20.

[sjlee]

Originally Posted by Willhall45

I have been using M1 0w-20 motor oil for about 3,000 miles. I have seen a positive jump in fuel economy. People may not believe me but this oil is adding on about 40 more miles, to a tank of gas.
I drive very contently and patiently with my Accord, which I know a lot of yall can't do. But I have seen a real boost in my fuel economy. I use to use M1 5w-20 but I am going to stick with the 0w-20.

I don't think a 40 mile increase per tank is enough to offset the 3-4 times more that you'll pay per quart. If you're using synthetic with hopes of saving money because of increased gas mileage, you're going to be disappointed.

That being said, if you are using it for "peace of mind", then there really isn't a price tag on that... is there?

[reframmellator]

If you're seeing 40 additional miles per tank of gas, that's 2.5 additional miles per gallon, assuming your fillup is 16 mpg. If you have the I4, that's about a 10% improvement over EPA city numbers as a base and over what you were getting with M1 5W-20, if I read your post correctly. If your fillups are less than 16 gal of you have the V6, % improvement is even greater.

You're right. I'm skeptical. I'd be likely to suspect seasonal changes in fuel than changing from 5W-20 syn to 0W-20 syn.