VinDSL
Diamond Member
I agree! Let's keep it simple... 😀
Go here: http://www.gf-5.com/
Watch the video titled: "Optimization of Oil Robustness and Fuel Economy"
Listen to what this Lee Williams has to say about it. LoL!
If you have an older car, you *need* to avoid GF-4 spec oil. GF-5 will replace GF-4 oil, but...
The smart money is on HM motor oil, for the foreseeable future!
Um... Not good enough for you?
Don't kill the messenger. I'm just trying to help you ppl out! 😉
Here is the current API rating system: http://www.aa1car.com/library/API_ratings.pdf (PDF file)
If your vehicle is older than 2005, it *needs* API SL motor oil.
ILSAC GF-4 / API SM is bad news for "2004 and older" vehicles! Basically they're 'too thin' (to increase gas mileage) and a lot of the friction modifier additives have been removed (to protect emission equipment, e.g. the newer style, more sensitive, catalytic converters).
Newer engines are designed to use these 'neutered' oils, but these oils aren't backwardly compatible with older engines - like in the past.
Put another way, API SL oils should NOT be used in 2005 and newer vehicles, and ILSAC GF-4 / API SM oils should NOT be used in 2004 and older vehicles.
'Regular' Mobil 1 motor oil should have a skull n' crossbones on it, instead of an 'Energy Starburst'!
ILSAC GF-4 / API SM oils will cause piston slap (especially on start-up), snapped rods, spun thrust bearings, and eat the cams in older motors...
Mobil considers Phosphorus (ZDDP) to be the most important high pressure additive, so that's what they use as a guide in their tables. http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-En..._Mobil_1_Products.aspx (Proof)
Here's the Mobil 1 table: http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-En...il_1_Product_Guide.pdf (PDF file)
ILSAC GF-4 / API SM must have less than 800 PPM of Phosphorus. That's NOT enough for older motors! That's why they make 'High Mileage' oil, so called!
As you can see in the table, 'regular' Mobil 1 only has 800 PPM of Phosphorus. Great for newer motors - slow death for older ones...
Mobil 1 'TDT' (Turbo Diesel Truck) has 1100 PPM - which is another good alternative, but a little much for the typical inline 4 motor. If you're turbo'ing your motor, however, this is the way to go. A lot of street/off-road racers use it.
Mobil 1 'High Mileage' has 1000 PPM - which is perfect for all-motor I-4's! There are a bunch of other additives in there too, which I won't bore you with...
NOTE: At the bottom of the Mobil table you'll see 2 motorcycle oils with extremely high levels of additives - and a lot of these additives are specific to M/C engines with 'wet clutches' and so forth. DO NOT USE THESE OILS IN YOUR CAR! It'll goof up your motor - guaranteed! Dittos for the racing oils. They're 'too thick' for street use (these new viscosity numbers are counter-intuitive, I know, but that's a story for a different time) and the ZDDP levels are off the chart!
Anyway, there's a LOT more to the story - more than we have room for here. However, in short, certain places, like auto supply stores, HAVE to sell ILSAC GF-4 / API SM oil in quart bottles, but they CAN sell API SL in bulk, e.g. gallon containers or larger. Other retailers, like Wal-Marts and drug stores, etc. can sell API SL in quart bottles, but they usually don't.
LoL! It's a real mess these days...
The important thing is to check the label!!!
If you want to play it safe, don't use ILSAC GF-4 / API SM oil in older vehicles! If you'll pardon the pun, it'll turn your motor into a ticking timebomb!
If you're running M-1, make sure it's 'High Mileage' or 'TDT', forget the rest, and always buy it in bulk containers, if they're available.
