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Hybrid Vehicles Toyota Prius Mobil 1 and Slick 50?
18 messages, Last post on Apr 10, 2009 at 10:50 AM
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True, no increase for MPG will be seen with Mobil 1 in the Prius, and you really wont see any in any other car for that matter, this isnt the reason to use a synthetic. The true purpose of a syn is much better protection than any dino oil. Over time Dino breaks down in all factors, additive packaged, lubricity, holding suspension etc. Synthetics can last much longer in Lubricity and suspension, two key factors in the use of oil. Lubricity to keep the parts free moving, and suspension to carry the waste particle of combustion to the filter where it is removed. In addition, the additive packages last longer due to the properties of the synthetic blends. The additives help bind to the metal parts, adding to their life span. Zinc is one of them, ZInc is a babbit material on bearings, and having zinc in the oil helps deter from the wear(at least that was how it was explained to me in class, ASE Cert) that occurs. With Dino, the lubricity goes away after time, due to the compressions the molecules go through with each rev of the crank, Synthetics have more resistance to breaking down from compression. What Mobil 1 can do for the prius is extend the oil life from 5000 miles to 10000 miles with just a filter change at 5000 and topping off the oil. Some guys who have diesels have a bypass filtration system installed and change their oil every 15-25K miles with nothing my oil changes every 5K miles and topping off the oil. Big savings when you have 4 gallons of oil to change out, but not realy that much with the prius.
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Replying to: acdii (Apr 07, 2007 11:13 am) Don't get me started on the silly "fuel efficient" oils (5W30) the Pathfinder came with new. Warm engine, idling, I hear rumbling (oil film breakdown - crankshaft touches bearings). Never heard it again once I switched to 10W30 (proper viscosity) oil. Sometimes people think too hard. |
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| There is a reason manufacturers are recommending the lighter weight oils these days. It helps them meet CARB specifications, that basically is the only reason. Engines have tighter tolerences today as well, so lighter oils work better in the newer engines, but is not needed. One thing to be aware of with Synthetics, dont use them in an old engine with 100K on it, or you might find yourself burning oil when you didnt before. Synthetics have tremendous cleaning powers, probably the reason you saw an increase in MPG. WHen you put this in an old engine, the carbon deposits behind the rings will dissolve, loosening the rings and giving them a larger gap, then you start to burn oil. Newer managed engines will less likely have this problem with lots of miles on them, but can still have similiar results, just depends on how well the engine was maintained and how it was driven. | |
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Replying to: acdii (Apr 07, 2007 2:44 pm)  . Saw the 10% improvement, and it has remained at the improved fuel consumption rate ever since (I stuck to Mobil 1 10W30). I keep detailed records. I've also seen (heard) the viscosity breakdown rumble on other vehicles using 5W30 oil (non-synthetic). Only when the engine is hot and idling. Scary stuff hearing the bearings loose material! With the other vehicles it happened a long way from home and I couldn't do anything about it right away except raise the idle. With the Pathfinder it happened in my garage, and I changed the oil right then!
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Replying to: pathstar1 (Apr 08, 2007 8:01 am) |
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Replying to: thundrjet (Mar 15, 2007 6:10 am) Never fold a wet soft top, don't leave it out in the intense sun ( Texas ), and do not use unapproved cleaners/detergents. Ford has a list of approved products. |
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Replying to: pathstar1 (Apr 08, 2007 8:01 am) A 5w-30 (vs. 10w-30) oil will not make an engine have knocks or other oil starvation sounds on startup. Just the opposite. You are more likely to hear that from the heavier oils because your oil pump can't pump the thicker oil as easily to your engine components. Use a good synethetic oil of the lightest weight your vehicles owners manual recommends. That is usually a 0w or 5w. I don't know of any modern engines that recommend a 10w although they can be run in hot weather. It's just not nice for your poor engine to have to try and pump that 10w on a 32 degree day. Do your Pathfinder and change to 5w-30 (or even 0w-30) in your preferred synthetic. Easier on the engine that 10w-30, even in hot weather, but especially in anything less than 50 degrees. On a note unrelated to viscosity or weight. another reason synthetic is better because it leaves a film on internal parts, after shut-down, longer than conventional oils, so it is easier on an engine at startup (which is when, arguably, all engine wear occurs). Though some drivinge mileage increase may be apparent in certain engines, most of the mileage gains are from the time of first startup and then the miles put on until the engine warms up. This is also why, in many vehicles, the mileage improvements, when using a synthetic vs. conventional oil, are higher or more noticable in the winter time. Of course the biggest mileage killer in the winter time is people idling their cars for 15 minutes before they leave. Park your car in your garage (rather than having it full of junk) and think how much gas the country would save every winter day! hehe.
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Replying to: chadx (Nov 19, 2007 11:39 am) I currently use 5W30 in my Prius and don't see any evidence of breakdown, but I'm using Mobil 1. |
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I stand corrected, Mobil 1 does increase fuel economy. When I posted that I had a Prius, I have since traded to a Hyundai Veracruz with the V6. The first oil change I used Mobil 1 and did see a 20% increase in fuel economy. I Also now have a 2009 Camry Hybrid and Mobil 1 did not show any improvement in economy. Even so, the peace of mind from using Synthetics over regular dino is worth it. Longer times between oil changes, means less waste oil, better protection for your engine, and better fuel economy for larger engines. BTW did you know that part of the oil used to make Synthetic oils comes from rendered animals? "Mobil 1 0w-20 is what I use in my Ford. They want 5w-20, and this is an official substitute." Just so you know, the Ford motorcraft 5-w20 is a synthetic blend, it is part dino, part synthetic. Using a 0-20 over 5-20 gives better protection in cold weather starts and meets the manufacturers warranty requirements and CARB. If you use 10w-40 Mobil 1, you are still protected, but will not meet CARB, and your cold protection is not as good. THe higher the numbers, the thicker the base oil. The thicker the oil, the more effort to get it where it needs to go, and the harder the engine works due to fluid dynamics. The thicker fluid offers resistance as opposed to friction, it still protects well, but requires effort to get past that resistance. The reason slick 50 had to pull teflon out is due to two things, one is when burned, and it does get burned, it pollutes something fierce, and second, it tends to expand when heated and has been known to clog oil filters. |
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Replying to: green55 (Mar 10, 2007 10:21 pm) Change oil AND filter at 5K mi. Drain while at operating temp ( the engine that is ). |
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