Why do we recommend synthetic lubricants?
Synthetic lubricants are demonstrably superior to conventional oils. They represent the most significant advance in oil technology in the last 15 years. Synthetic lubricants are now the factory fill and recommended lubricant for most of the high performance European cars. Even Corvettes are factory-filled with Mobil 1. We use Mobil 1 products at Robison Service, but my comments apply in a general sense to any good synthetic — Castrol Syntec, Valvoline, Amzoil, etc.
Compared to conventional motor oil, Mobil 1 has the following advantages:
- Mobil 1, with carbon and hydrogen chains of uniform length and shape, is engineered to resist oxidation and ensure stability. The consistent chains are stronger, reducing the change of metal to metal contact and wear when oil pressure is low. These chains are also more resistant to shearing, a major cause of conventional oil failure.
- Mobil 1 exhibits excellent low-temperature flow. This means your engine will crank over like it's summer — even in mid-winter. It is free from impurities, such as wax, that are present in conventional oils. Such impurities can cause the oil to thicken and even solidify at low temperatures.
- Impurities also prevent the oil from flowing freely when the engine is cold. Most engine wear occurs during start-up, and Mobil 1 circulates quicker, ensuring that engine parts receive proper lubrication fast.
- At high temperatures, Mobil 1 remains stable, resisting oxidation and the formation of deposits and sludge at well over 400° F. Conventional oils will fail well below this temperature, leaving you with a seized engine.
- Mobil 1 is formulated with a proprietary additive system that protects against engine wear during long-term use. Engines taken apart in out shop show no discernable wear on parts that had a history of wearing with conventional lubricants — even at well over 150,000 miles.
Following is a quote from Mobil oil describing the synthetic product and its benefits:
“Conventional oils come from crude oil that is pumped from the ground. Crude oil is made up of a twisted and jumbled mass of carbon atoms that form chains and rings of different sizes and shapes. Long chains of carbon atoms produce a thick viscous fluid that flows slowly. Shorter chains produce fluid that flows more readily.In an oil refinery, crude oil is separated into various stocks. These become the basis for lubricating oils and fuels. Thick tangled masses of carbon chains become asphaltic materials used in roofing tar and road work. Very short chains and ring compounds of carbon are volatile and can be refined to produce gasoline and other solvents.
While petroleum refining is an advanced science, small amounts of contaminants, such as sulfur, wax and asphaltic material cannot be completely removed from petroleum, and may end up in motor oil base stocks.
More than 30 years ago Mobil began looking for lubricants that would flow easily at extremely low temperatures. This search led to the development of synthetic base fluids free from the waxes and contaminants that cause conventional lubricants to solidify in extreme cold. The result was the development of Mobil 1, a fully synthetic motor oil created, initially, from two synthetic base fluids — polyalphaolefins (PAO) and esters combined with a unique additive package.
PAOs are made by chemically knitting molecules of ethylene into carbon chains of uniform length and shape. These carbon chains can remain liquid and slippery under the widest range of engine conditions possible. The PAOs are combined with an ester — a compound formed from the reaction of alcohol and certain acids. The resulting synthetic fluid provides the optimum performance properties for engine lubricants.
Ultimately, Mobil developed an additional synthetic base fluid — an alkylated aromatic — that is especially effective in protecting engines against wear, sludge formation and piston deposits. This new formula has been incorporated into Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic™ motor oil, which was introduced in 1999.”
The reason we use and recommend Mobil 1 is that it is readily available. I know if someone has Mobil 1 in their engine and are travelling they can get more oil at any Mobil gas station. Where does a traveller go to get Castrol Syntec or Quaker or Valvoline synthetic?
I am not suggesting that Mobil 1 is better than other fully synthetic products. If you like Castrol or whatever, and know where to buy it, feel free to use it with confidence.
Over the years I’ve just found a lot of customers in our own service department become nervous when we put in oil they can’t easily buy to top off. DIY’ers generally aren't bothered by this, and know the way to the local parts store.
Also, I like Mobil 1 because they have made synthetic oil longer and in greater quantity than other players in America.
You might be interested to know that Mobil 1 is derived from technology sharing of its parent — Standard Oil — with the synthetic oil process inventors — I G Farben of Germany in the late 1930s.
Read more at www.mobil1.com
Read or search the archive of John's Land Rover BBS posts
Q: Just bought a ’87 Range Rover with 121,000 miles from the second owner (since 28,000). She has always used Mobil 1 and I am wondering if a synthetic oil is changed less frequently than its petroleum-based cousin. Your thoughts?
A: Two things cause oil to need changing: #1: it gets contaminated by grit or other fluids #2: it breaks down — the oil gets thinner and its additive package wears out.
Mobil 1 or any other good synthetic oil will not suffer a “type 2” failure in a Rover for more than 15,000 miles. By the way this statement is true for Castrol Syntec, Amsoil, and other good full synthetic oils.
However, it will suffer “type 1” failure much sooner. Contamination of oil with grit and acids (combustion by-products) happens fairly fast in a Rover engine. Engines with emission problems can dilute their oil with unburned gasoline, which is very bad. If driven off road there is the issue of dirt ingestion also. These factors determine the shorter oil change in a Rover. The fact that the oil itself is better does not protect from contamination. Many newer engine designs, like the Mercedes or BMW V8’s are much less subject to this sort of thing and can be driven somewhat farther between changes.
You might ask, then, why use Mobil 1 at all? The answer is that Mobil 1 will keep your engine clean and like new inside, which non synthetic oil won't do. And, if you ever have a failure, like bad overheating or running out of oil, it may make the difference between no damage and a ruined engine.
Whenever you change the oil, change the filter too.
J E Robison Service Co Inc of Springfield, Massachusetts, is an independent business that specializes in the sale and service of used Land Rovers. We are not an authorized Land Rover dealership, we do not sell brand new Land Rovers and we are not otherwise affiliated with, originating from, sponsored by, or approved by Land Rover in any way.