What’s the difference between a synthetic and a
semi-synthetic motor oil?
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All motor oils are made up of base oils and additives. In general, synthetic
motor oils contain non-conventional, high-performance fluids. Semi-synthetic
oils (also called ‘blends’) usually use a small percentage of
non-conventional, high-performance fluids in combination with conventional oil.
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What makes synthetic motor oil superior to conventional
motor oil?
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First of all, the performance of Mobil 1 is more robust, especially in terms
of low-temperature pumping and flow. High-temperature stability and protection
against deposits are also superior. These attributes translate directly into
less engine wear and longer engine life.
Historically,
conventional oils lack the performance of synthetic oils in the areas of
low-temperature performance and high-temperature oxidation stability.
Conventional oils also contain much greater amounts of impurities, such as
sulphur, reactive and unstable hydrocarbons, and other undesirable
contaminants that cannot be completely removed by conventional refining of
crude oil.
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You talk about cold-temperature performance, but just
how good is Mobil 1 at low temperatures?
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Because of the high-performance fluids in Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil, it
generally flows at much lower temperatures than a conventional oil.
Low-temperature Performance Mobil 1 withSuperSyn
| Viscosity Grade | Pour Point | Pumpability | |
5W-20
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-47° C
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-45° C
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0W-40
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-54° C
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-47° C
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5W-30
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-47° C
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-45° C
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10W-30
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-47° C
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-41° C
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5W-50
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-51° C
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-43° C
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Mobil 1 0W-40 is capable of pumping at -47° C and flowing at even lower
temperatures. At these low temperatures, conventional oils are essentially
frozen solid. Even Mobil 1 10W-30 will pump at -41° C.
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What about high-temperature protection?
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At normal engine-operating temperatures, Mobil 1 synthetic motor oils offer
better wear protection and better resistance to thermal degradation than
conventional or semi-synthetic oils. Mobil 1 will continue to perform at
temperatures that make conventional and semi-synthetic motor oils start to
oxidize and turn to sludge.
Mobil 1 motor oils are capable of
protecting engines at temperatures up to 200° C. This type of stability is
especially important for stop-and-go driving, for high-tech imported engines,
which tend to run at higher temperatures, and for turbocharged engines.
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Does the viscosity of Mobil 1 differ from that of
typical motor oils, especially at high or low temperatures?
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At very low temperatures, when the oil needs to be ‘thinner’ to flow readily,
Mobil 1 is capable of pumping easily while conventional oils can thicken
substantially. At very high temperatures, when the oil needs to be thick
enough to provide a film on engine parts to prevent metal-to-metal contact,
Mobil 1 resists being squeezed out of the contact area between metal surfaces
by maintaining its viscosity. This helps prevent premature engine wear.
Typically, a conventional oil can more easily evaporate and more readily
oxidize in extreme heat. The new Mobil 1 formulation, with its combination of
high-performance fluids and a proprietary additive system, provides greater
stability in extreme low or high engine temperatures.
Mobil 1
synthetic motor oils have an inherently higher Viscosity Index than
conventional motor oils. Mobil 1 also is less prone to thermal viscosity
breakdown – the oil maintains its viscosity for a longer time.
Mobil 1 with SuperSynTM , in particular, has tremendous visco-elasticity.
Simply put, this is the ability of the oil to retain its viscosity under
incredible stress, pressure and shear conditions.
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Can I use an oil supplement and/or engine treatment with
Mobil 1?
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Imperial Oil does not recommend it. According to the American Petroleum
Institute (API) and Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM), “certified
oils eliminate the need for supplemental engine-oil additives.” In fact, the
use of any oil supplement is not recommended by car manufacturers and may void
a warranty.
Considering the comprehensive testing and
engineering that has gone into Mobil 1, nothing can be gained by using these
supplements.
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If I use Mobil 1, will I need to use a special oil
filter?
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While Imperial Oil recommends that you use a high-quality filter, you can use
the same type of oil filter that you would normally use with conventional oil.
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Should I change the oil filter at every oil change?
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Yes. The oil filter removes debris from the oil that accumulates in the
engine. The debris primarily comes in with the intake air or is formed in the
combustion process. Replacing the filter at each oil drain protects the engine
by ensuring that the filter does not get full of debris and does filter the
oil properly.
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Is it true that new engines need a break-in period using
conventional motor oil?
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That is a myth. In the past, engine break-in was necessary to remove any metal
flashing (called swarf) or abrasive material left inside the engine after
machining, as well as to allow the valves and rings to ‘seat’ properly.
Today’s engines are built with much tighter tolerances, much improved
machining and under much cleaner conditions compared to the engines of 10 or
20 years ago. Current engine-manufacturing technology does not require a
break-in period using petroleum-based motor oils.
In fact,
Mobil 1 has shown excellent results in industry-standard ASTM tests, most of
which use completely rebuilt engines for each new test run. Mobil 1’s
outstanding results in these tests demonstrate that proper break-in using
Mobil 1 is not a concern. Mobil 1 can be used in an engine from the day you
drive off the showroom floor.
Trust the engineers that
specify Mobil 1 as original equipment (‘factory fill’) in some of the world’s
finest automobiles!
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Can I use Mobil 1 as a break-in oil for a rebuilt engine?
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Yes, but the timing of your first oil change will depend largely on the
quality of the rebuild. Due to the tighter tolerances and improved machining
of today’s engines, the traditional concept of ‘engine break-in’ is not as
critical. However, if the engine rebuilder is using older machining equipment
or lower-quality components, abrasive material can be left inside the engine.
In this case, you should use a short drain interval on your initial oil fill.
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Will the use of Mobil 1 void my new-car warranty?
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With the exception of the Mazda rotary engine (Mazda does not recommend any
synthetic oils), Mobil 1 will not void new-car warranties. Mobil 1 exceeds the
API and ILSAC engine-oil service requirements of all new-car manufacturers,
both import and domestic. If in doubt, always check your vehicle owner’s
manual or contact your vehicle’s manufacturer.
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Can I use Mobil 1 in older vehicles with high mileage?
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Yes you can. Mobil 1 can help increase the life of all engines, even those in
older vehicles and/or with high mileage. The extra cleaners in Mobil 1 can
help clear stuck rings to help restore engine efficiency. In fact, Mobil 1
with SuperSynTM 10W-30 is ideal for these applications. Keep in mind, however,
that Mobil 1 cannot correct an existing engine problem. If you are using Mobil
1 for the first time in an older vehicle (or just switching from conventional
oil to Mobil 1 for the first time), it is good maintenance practice to follow
a regimen of two or three short-interval oil changes – roughly at 3,000 to
5,000 kilometres. Again, all of this assumes that the engine is mechanically
sound.
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I’ve heard that Mobil 1 will cause leaks – that it is
not compatible with an older car’s seals and gaskets.
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Mobil 1 does not cause leaks. It is fully compatible with the elastomer
materials from which all automotive seals and gaskets are made. If an older
engine is in good condition and does not have oil leaks, Mobil 1 provides the
same advantages as when used in a new engine. If the engine does have oil
leaks, Imperial Oil recommends taking measures to repair the leaks, then using
Mobil 1. Imperial Oil also always recommends following the automobile
manufacturer’s manual for the proper oil to use.
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Is it okay to mix conventional oil with Mobil 1?
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Mobil 1 is fully compatible with conventional motor oils, semi-synthetic motor
oils and other synthetic motor oils, should it be necessary to mix them. But
the superior performance of Mobil 1 will be reduced by diluting it.
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Can I mix one litre of Mobil 1 with three or four litres
of conventional oil to enhance the performance of the conventional oil?
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You can, but Imperial Oil does not recommend this practice. You give up much
of the superior-performance characteristics of Mobil 1. The conventional oil
in the mix will adversely affect the low-temperature flowability and
high-temperature oxidation stability of Mobil 1. And while Mobil 1 is
compatible with conventional motor oils, it has an additive package that has
been specifically developed to work with its own high-performance components.
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Do I need to flush my engine before switching to Mobil 1?
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Absolutely not. No special preparation is necessary when switching from
conventional motor oil to Mobil 1.
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Where can I find Mobil 1 with SuperSyn in Canada?
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Mobil 1 with SuperSyn is available at a wide range of retail locations,
including mass merchants, membership clubs, auto-parts stores, Esso service
stations and Esso Associates. Many quick-lube shops and car dealerships also
carry Mobil 1 with SuperSyn and will install it for you. Mobil 1 with SuperSyn
is also available at Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart, Loblaws Superstore, Home
Hardware, TruServ, Mr. Lube, Central Auto Parts, Uniselect and UAP/NAPA and
other locations.
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