C5 Oil

[frelks]

Is anyone out there using something other than Mobil1 or any other synthetic oil in their C5? If so, what have been your results?

[6 Shooter]

I think there's some Castrol fans out there.

Just wondering, have ya had problems with Mobil 1?

[Bill Heygster]

Is anyone out there using something other than Mobil1 or any other synthetic oil in their C5? If so, what have been your results?

There's lots of choices out there. Some good some not so good. Unless you are doing something other than normal driving why use something other than what Chevy spec'd for the engine. They did their research. I've used Mobil 1 since day one and had no problems.

[yellow_2002_germany]

You can use any synthetic oil that meets the GM4718M standard. Many synthetics do, Castrol Syntec is one of them. The Service manual also states if you cannot find oil that meets that standard you can use oils that meet API service SJ and ACEA A3-96. It also states that if temperatures do not get below 0F you can also use 10W-30. I believe all the above assumes synthetic oil.

In Italy I once had to use AGIP full synthetic oil (5W-40) in my car because I could not get Mobil 1. That stuff cost about $15 a liter too! My car suffered no ill effects but my wallet sure did!

[frelks]

I think there's some Castrol fans out there.

Just wondering, have ya had problems with Mobil 1?

I haven't really had any problems other than the lifter noise at start-up commonly referred to as the "sewing machine noise". Our corvette club had a gentleman named Tidwell from Pure Performance who is in the oil lubricant business and he had some rather unsettling things to say about the synthetics and their lack of zinc. I am no expert, but he didn't seem to have a personal dog in the hunt, so I thought I would check the subject out. Mr. Tidwell is a long-time Corvette officianato and has been using base oil at the 10W30 weight in all his vettes with exellent results. I want to keep my car on the road so I thought I would do some additional reading/inquiry. Thanks for your response.

[frelks]

There's lots of choices out there. Some good some not so good. Unless you are doing something other than normal driving why use something other than what Chevy spec'd for the engine. They did their research. I've used Mobil 1 since day one and had no problems.

I would normally agree with you, but I have recently learned that Mobil1 entered an agreement with Chevrolet to fill all the vettes with Mobil1 for free if they would put a recommendation in the Owner's Manual for Mobil1. Seems like a win-win for Chevrolet. I have done a lot of reading over the past few days and I am not convinced that a base motor oil wouldn't be better because of the zinc in the mixture package. Consumer Report quoted a recent experiment using New York taxis over a two year, 60,000 mile period. Their results indicated there was no measureable wear difference between motor oils (weights, base or synthetic) and it didn't seem to matter if the oil was changed at 3,000 or 6,000 periods, the engine wear was about the same. My problem with that study is the environment is mainly in town, stop-and-go traffic. I like to run my vette a little harder than that and frequently get above 3-4,000 RPM in the mountains. I would imagine wear patterns and engine strain would be different in those conditions. I appreciate your response. I am getting the same basic feedback from others who have responded, either here in the forum or around town.

[T&L]

Hi all I have a 63 NOVA SS w/5sp in it. It has a early 350 engine in it that has been mod a whole lot. It turn 8500 RPM and has 12 to 1 comp. It is a roller engine. I have driven this car almost every day for over 8 yrs useing Vavoline 20/50 oil in it. I drive this car VERY hard and also drag race it too. There has not been a time that I was in it that it did not see 8500 RPM. I just tore it down and took it to the shop tobe checked out. They told me there was no wear on the cyl or crank. I just had to refresh it and put in new parts (rings etc) One valve guide had alittle wear and it was replaced. (Brodix Heads-2.08 ) I could not believe it. I'll always use Vavoline oil. I use it in my Vette too (98-10/30 reg oil) I changed my oil @ 3000+ in the NOVA because I drove it so hard. I change my oil in VETTE @ 4500+ because it is not working as hard. So far I have not had any problems with the VETTE. It has alot of miles on it and it is fine. Don't know if this helps or not--just my .02 cents worth. And yes I had to use race gas in NOVA--I don't drive it as much now--it cost WAY to much for fuel and it will eat some fuel--lol.

Terry and Linda

[jrose7004]

Mobil 1 for me!

[frelks]

Hi all I have a 63 NOVA SS w/5sp in it. It has a early 350 engine in it that has been mod a whole lot. It turn 8500 RPM and has 12 to 1 comp. It is a roller engine. I have driven this car almost every day for over 8 yrs useing Vavoline 20/50 oil in it. I drive this car VERY hard and also drag race it too. There has not been a time that I was in it that it did not see 8500 RPM. I just tore it down and took it to the shop tobe checked out. They told me there was no wear on the cyl or crank. I just had to refresh it and put in new parts (rings etc) One valve guide had alittle wear and it was replaced. (Brodix Heads-2.08 ) I could not believe it. I'll always use Vavoline oil. I use it in my Vette too (98-10/30 reg oil) I changed my oil @ 3000+ in the NOVA because I drove it so hard. I change my oil in VETTE @ 4500+ because it is not working as hard. So far I have not had any problems with the VETTE. It has alot of miles on it and it is fine. Don't know if this helps or not--just my .02 cents worth. And yes I had to use race gas in NOVA--I don't drive it as much now--it cost WAY to much for fuel and it will eat some fuel--lol.

Terry and Linda

Terry,

Thanks for the reply. I am considering moving to Valvoline 10W30 myself on the recommendation of some mechanics I trust. You haven't had any warranty concerns?

Fred

[medicine man]

mobil 1 for me too

[Remo]

Is anyone out there using something other than Mobil1 or any other synthetic oil in their C5? If so, what have been your results?

What possible benefit would there be in using something else?

Remo

[vett boy]

We have 10-12 company trucks on the road (one vette) all use Mobil 1,with no prob. I'm with Remo,i see no benefit.

[Bill Heygster]

What possible benefit would there be in using something else?

Remo

Amen Remo - You could probably use bear grease and get away with it and if someone did they'd say it was the best way to go. I'll stick with what it came with. No doubt other oils are just as good as Mobil One but........- This discussion is somewhat like the one about the best wax to use.

[T&L]

Hi all again. I looked at my post and I left out some detail. I use 10/30 syn oil in my vette--not just reg oil. I use Valvoline oil because I have seen first hand how good it works. Also the oil in the NOVA was Racing oil. Hope I did not cause problems out there. I don't think reg. oil would do the job right.
T&L

[Gary Melton]

Is anyone out there using something other than Mobil1 or any other synthetic oil in their C5? If so, what have been your results?

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Hope this helps

An article I just read humbly suggested that interested parties get the August issue of Sport Rider magazine (which has a detailed definition and explanation of the additives and compounds used in various motor oils), and the October issue on newsstands now (where chemical analysis of various brand oils was performed, along with various lab tests, plus a dyno test of dino vs. racing synthetic).

Enjoy your ride,
Gary

PS.
Interesting web site on the subject... http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/index.html