ARTICLE: Synthetic oil vs Mineral oil

gigy · 28th March 2007, 09:01

does using old stock of oil make a difference in performance. i am getting gulf formula g synthetic oil can of 4 lts for 1750, mfd in 2005. is it advised?

moralfibre · 28th March 2007, 10:14

Gigy, I would stay away from this. Why take the risk? Its already been 2 years since the oil has been manufactured. Try to get something manufactured in 2007 if that is possible.

Vid6639 · 28th March 2007, 10:21

yup oil will lose some of it's lubricating properties if stored for long. It becomes sticky types. Ideally oil is supposed to work best in hot engine temperatures. If you store it for long time at even room temp it wont be of any good.

khanak · 28th March 2007, 10:48

OT: but how often does one need to change the gear oil. Also besides Engine Oil, gear oil & coolant is there any other oil that needs to be checked?

Vid6639 · 28th March 2007, 11:00

brake fluid, clutch fluid, power steering fluid.

payam · 28th March 2007, 12:50

just got mobile1 3days back man what a diffrence car is flying
it rocks guys it rocks
thanks to moral who provide me with a very good price and services

Sam Kapasi · 28th March 2007, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by vid6639

He claimed that Mitsubishi Japan recommends only Servo. I asked him can you tell me if you get servo in japan that they are recommending it.

After all that I went on the hunt for Synthetic oil Mobil1 or Shell ultra. I got ridiculous prices above 3K for 4 litres for both. I gave up and put the servo back in.

The problem here is ignorance. Nothing else. And the refusal to change from what is tried and tested. I do not know if I've given testimonial to Synth Vs Mineral but here's what happened to me.

I read this article and went hmmm. I heard both sides of the argument and saw a lot of synth supporters, especially Mobil1. (GTO included). A lot of what the old schoolers (Ram included) thought it was all cock and bull and a money making racket.

Deciding to ride the fence and go midway, I decided to buy semi. It rides the fence, it's cheap and easily available (Castrol Magnatec). When the time came to buy, Rudra was in Mumbai.
This old man put his old foot down and said, nothing doing. Mobil1 it is, you may not buy anything else. Not left with any choices from thereon (also mentally deciding, that if it did NOT make a difference, I would be silently swearing at Rudra, on a daily basis)
I purchased Mobil1. I was able to buy it at Rs.625/- per litre. It is available in 1 L and 4L packs. The lancer took in 3.25, so I have 0.75 l left over. I do not know about Bangalore, but I believe you are able to buy Shell Helix Ultra and OWS oil, which are technically as good as mobil1. I also know that one is able to buy Helix Ultra at this shell pump at Lavelle Road.

In Mumbai, one is able to buy Mobil 1 at avantibai gokhale street, (The opera house accessories market). I was guided to a large store there by RT (I've forgotten the name of the store) and this place has performance accessories and oils and flushes coming out of his ears. It's like a porn store for Psycho. Prices are good, there are no discounts.

Did it make a difference: It made a HUGE difference. It felt like I replaced my engine, with some other cars smooth responsive engine. It's rocking. And yes, I agree the oil is PART of the change, as I changed plugs, filters etc. But I say it was worth the 2500/- odd i spent.

And this is a totally non technical guy speaking who used to hate car engines. (I say used to, because you monkeys changed my thinking)

tadukuttan · 28th March 2007, 14:41

Guys, needed help with few things -

1) What is the best price for Mobil 1 5w50 in Bangalore? Payed Rs.1000 for each 1 liter can last time. Saw SAM mention 625, where can I get Mobil 1 5w-50 at that price? And the MRP sticker on the 1 liter can did say 1000 bucks. Please PM or post details if you know...

2) Is Mobil Delvac 1 5W-40 available in Bangalore? Or anywhere else in India? It is a fully synthetic meant for Diesels. The Mobil 1 5w-50 currently in the car is not formulated specifically for diesels, which probably need additional "detergents"?

3) My Elantra CRDi comes with mineral 15w-40. Are there any good synthetics available in 15w-40? If yes, what is the price, and available where?

4) Oils Against Oils - Major Oil Brands go head-to-head on the dyno. has a shootout for the leading brands of oils, not sure about the authenticity of the site, but does the results makes sense to you guys? And they have rated thus -

1. AMSOIL
2. BP Visco 5000
3&4. Both Mobil 1 (difference between price)
5. Hi-Tec HTO
6. Shell Helix Ultra
7. Royal Purple
8. Castrol R
9. Castrol SLX
10. Torco

5) Why is the price of Mobil 1 5w-50 so high in India? The website above mentions the price for 5 liters of Mobil 1 5w-50 as $44.95. That translates to less than Rs. 450/liter? More than double here?

theMAG · 28th March 2007, 14:50

Awright, I'm going with Mobil 1 synthetic from my Swift's next and third free service. She's done about 7k now. Should do another 1k by May.

How many liters does she drink? And any specific shop names will help to buy the stuff.

nitrous · 28th March 2007, 14:54

Mobil1 seems to have a monopoly over the synthetic oil market.
Has anyone tried Castrol Syntec?
Also, Lets have a price list for similar grade(5W50) from different brands.
@Mag: Dont forget to flush the engine.

Sam Kapasi · 28th March 2007, 15:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMAG

Awright, I'm going with Mobil 1 synthetic from my Swift's next and third free service.

Mag, I recommend you put it for your 3rd service only. This oil should easily last you 30000 kms.

@tadukuttan - Mobil1 is Rs.625 per litre here. Thats certainly not even double, leave alone more than double.

Vid6639 · 28th March 2007, 15:11

do they allow to carry engine oil on flights. I think I'll get them from mumbai.

theMAG · 28th March 2007, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Mag, I recommend you put it for your 3rd service only. This oil should easily last you 30000 kms.

Yup yup. 3rd free service is in May. 30K kms you say?

Amazing.

Nitrous: Will do, monseur.

tadukuttan · 28th March 2007, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

@tadukuttan - Mobil1 is Rs.625 per litre here. Thats certainly not even double, leave alone more than double.

Guess these dudes are just kidding with this MRP sticker?

Back to my earlier request, please PM or post details about where I can get Mobil 1 5w-50 at or near the price Sam mentioned.

Vid6639 · 28th March 2007, 15:30

thats funny the address is not correct unless they shifted recently in which case the box has the old address. the new one is:

Exxon Mobil Lubricants Private Limited
1-600-1801281
3rd Floor, Tower A, Signature Towers
South City-1, NH8, Gurgaon - 122001 (Haryana) India

ps: courtesy irags for the linky

Country

28th March 2007, 09:01	#136
gigy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 1,321 Thanked: 47 Times	does using old stock of oil make a difference in performance. i am getting gulf formula g synthetic oil can of 4 lts for 1750, mfd in 2005. is it advised?
	() Thanks

28th March 2007, 10:14	#137
moralfibre Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: MH-12 Posts: 8,443 Thanked: 13,956 Times	Gigy, I would stay away from this. Why take the risk? Its already been 2 years since the oil has been manufactured. Try to get something manufactured in 2007 if that is possible.
	() Thanks

28th March 2007, 10:21	#138
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,727 Thanked: 43,457 Times View My Garage	yup oil will lose some of it's lubricating properties if stored for long. It becomes sticky types. Ideally oil is supposed to work best in hot engine temperatures. If you store it for long time at even room temp it wont be of any good.
	() Thanks

28th March 2007, 10:48	#139
khanak Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai/Toronto Posts: 2,799 Thanked: 268 Times View My Garage	OT: but how often does one need to change the gear oil. Also besides Engine Oil, gear oil & coolant is there any other oil that needs to be checked?
	() Thanks

28th March 2007, 11:00	#140
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,727 Thanked: 43,457 Times View My Garage	brake fluid, clutch fluid, power steering fluid.
	() Thanks

28th March 2007, 12:50	#141
payam BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: pune Posts: 924 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	just got mobile1 3days back man what a diffrence car is flying it rocks guys it rocks thanks to moral who provide me with a very good price and services
	() Thanks

28th March 2007, 14:41	#143
tadukuttan BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 241 Thanked: 24 Times	Guys, needed help with few things - 1) What is the best price for Mobil 1 5w50 in Bangalore? Payed Rs.1000 for each 1 liter can last time. Saw SAM mention 625, where can I get Mobil 1 5w-50 at that price? And the MRP sticker on the 1 liter can did say 1000 bucks. Please PM or post details if you know... 2) Is Mobil Delvac 1 5W-40 available in Bangalore? Or anywhere else in India? It is a fully synthetic meant for Diesels. The Mobil 1 5w-50 currently in the car is not formulated specifically for diesels, which probably need additional "detergents"? 3) My Elantra CRDi comes with mineral 15w-40. Are there any good synthetics available in 15w-40? If yes, what is the price, and available where? 4) Oils Against Oils - Major Oil Brands go head-to-head on the dyno. has a shootout for the leading brands of oils, not sure about the authenticity of the site, but does the results makes sense to you guys? And they have rated thus - 1. AMSOIL 2. BP Visco 5000 3&4. Both Mobil 1 (difference between price) 5. Hi-Tec HTO 6. Shell Helix Ultra 7. Royal Purple 8. Castrol R 9. Castrol SLX 10. Torco 5) Why is the price of Mobil 1 5w-50 so high in India? The website above mentions the price for 5 liters of Mobil 1 5w-50 as $44.95. That translates to less than Rs. 450/liter? More than double here?
	() Thanks

28th March 2007, 14:50	#144
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	Awright, I'm going with Mobil 1 synthetic from my Swift's next and third free service. She's done about 7k now. Should do another 1k by May. How many liters does she drink? And any specific shop names will help to buy the stuff. Last edited by theMAG : 28th March 2007 at 14:52.
	() Thanks

28th March 2007, 14:54	#145
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	Mobil1 seems to have a monopoly over the synthetic oil market. Has anyone tried Castrol Syntec? Also, Lets have a price list for similar grade(5W50) from different brands. @Mag: Dont forget to flush the engine. Last edited by nitrous : 28th March 2007 at 14:57.
	() Thanks

28th March 2007, 15:11	#147
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,727 Thanked: 43,457 Times View My Garage	do they allow to carry engine oil on flights. I think I'll get them from mumbai.
	() Thanks

28th March 2007, 15:30	#150
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,727 Thanked: 43,457 Times View My Garage	thats funny the address is not correct unless they shifted recently in which case the box has the old address. the new one is: Exxon Mobil Lubricants Private Limited 1-600-1801281 3rd Floor, Tower A, Signature Towers South City-1, NH8, Gurgaon - 122001 (Haryana) India ps: courtesy irags for the linky Country
	() Thanks