Give opinions on Mobil 1 15,000 mile oil

[turbotsi92]

I run mobil 1 in my daily driver now. I drive almost 100 miles round trip a day, and I was wondering if anyone has tried out the Mobil 1 15,000 oil. I just can't imagine that it would hold up that long in a turbo vehicle. Anyone that uses it please give me some feedback. I would like to switch because it seems like all I do is change the oil in it.

 

[andymoraitis]

I use the 15W-50, but have no plans to leave it in for any more than 3000 miles. After 1000 miles and some hard runs it still has a nice golden color to it and doesn't seem watery in the least.

Hope that helps,

Andy

 

[Auto RS T]

I also use the 15w 50. There is no way on this green earth that I am going to leave it in there for more than 3000 miles. I just cant imagine that this is some kind of "special" oil that you can leave in 3 times longer than normal. I do about 6-12 oil changes a day, and when I see the oil that comes out of someones car that has not been changed for 6000 miles I cant believe how contaminated/black/thick it is. WTF I dont even know how the pump can pump that crap through the motor. I dont see why the new label should make a difference. I would still change it every 2500-3000.

 

[TSIMonsteR]

I use the Mobil Clean 5000 in the 1.8 (10w40) Works good, I change it every 5000 miles. I don't see any reason with the 15000 wouldn't work as long as your oil filter was good. (Amsoil, Mobil, or K&N) Most lower end oil filters clog up and go into bypass before the 3000 mile change interval.

Also, I believe the Service manual for the GSX says change it every 5000 miles for a stock car.

 

[Dasamary]

I actually read an article doing research on synthetic motor oil. They rotated the same syn. oil through 60,000 miles and a large variety of cars. The only time they ever added oil was when changing you can't drain 100% of the oil so they had to top each car off. They did however change the oil filter ever 3k miles.

From what I have read on syn. oil it won't break down and should be fine for 15,000 miles or more... I would STRONGLY Reccomend that the oil filter be changed at least every 3,000 miles. The oil you drain...just put back in.

 

[1g_tsi_awd]

I say don't be lazy, every 3000 miles... You like cars right? That means it shouldn't be a chore?

 

[TurboB5]

i saw oil that came outta my car when i first bought it and it was 1800 miles over 3000 change interval i usually like to stay at...soo black and sludgey. im gonna stick with 3000

 

[forcefedtuner]

Well for me, I really don't go by miles to change the oil, I just go by the look and feel of it when i check it. I usually change it when it starts getting dark and dirty looking, and when it starts to thin out. It usually is around the 3000 mile mark, so if it reaches that point, i will change it regardless. I would never leave oil in for that long, even if it says it can be, i mean its easy enough to do, and cheap enough...Oil is the lifeblood of the engine, you can never change it too much or too soon..

 

[wret]

I've been using the Mobile 1 15w-50 for about 20,000 miles. I have used the regular Mobile 1 synthetic for most of the 130,000 on the car. I have always changed synthetic oil at about 10-15k miles.

 

[tight_tsi]

I work in a service department and people come in here all the time that haven't changed their oil for over 5,000+ miles - it is very black and thick and nasty. Usually you can pour the oil that is draining out over a white oil filter and the old oil is still transparent enough to see the white part of the filter through it. Anything over 5,000 miles the oil is so black it is not transparent anymore and turns the white oil filter completely black. This is a 5w20 Motorcraft semi-synthetic blend oil that I am referring too. We have torn down engines that haven't been maintanined properly and it is nasty!! Sludge builds up everywhere. Stick with 3,000 miles and be safe - it will save you a lot of money in the long run!

 

[andymoraitis]

I've been using the Mobile 1 15w-50 for about 20,000 miles. I have used the regular Mobile 1 synthetic for most of the 130,000 on the car. I have always changed synthetic oil at about 10-15k miles.

Interesting info Ron. I'm just wondering what kind of filter you're using and if you change that out periodically?

 

[wret]

Interesting info Ron. I'm just wondering what kind of filter you're using and if you change that out periodically?

Usually the high end Fram. I have good intentions about swapping the filter every 5000 miles or so, but you know what they say about good intentions.

This is by no means proof the my practice is beneficial, but when I had the head off for a gasket about 15,000 miles ago, everything looked pristine. The cylinders still had cross-hatch honing. The oil is always black when I change it. The color of oil does not have any indication of its lubrication ability.

 

[tight_tsi]

I've been using the Mobile 1 15w-50 for about 20,000 miles. I have used the regular Mobile 1 synthetic for most of the 130,000 on the car. I have always changed synthetic oil at about 10-15k miles.

Just out of curiosity, have you ever had your oil analyzed after the 10-15k of being used? Blackstone Labs has a very good oil analysis report. It would be interesting to see the results of the oil condition after that kind of mileage.

 

[DanThMan1983]

I work at a dealership and me and some other mechanics have brought this up before. BMWs run 15,000 mile oil in them. These oils that last that long have much better detergents in them than your 3000 mile oil. I dont think I would start running 15k oil in a car with 100k miles that has been run on 3k oil its entire life. I think if a guy were to run the 15k oil it would be a good idea to check the oil every 1k and think about changing it at 10. 15k miles is alot of miles for oil and I wouldnt trust it over 10k. No personal expierience with that type of oil but thats what I would do. But to truly keep that engine clean its better to buy good oil and change it every 3k. hope this helps peace.

 

[weith1111]

I've been using the Mobile 1 15w-50 for about 20,000 miles. I have used the regular Mobile 1 synthetic for most of the 130,000 on the car. I have always changed synthetic oil at about 10-15k miles.

I have to agree with wret. I don't subscribe to the 3,000 mile philosophy. Before synthetic oil it might have made sense. Now it's just corporations making a buck off everyone, and engineers knowing most people won't actually do it when they are told, so they better say 3k.

The new jeep I bought is supposed to have the oil changed every 3k. I change it every 5k and it looks and feels the same as the stuff coming out of the brand new bottle each time. Oil changes on new vehicles are every 10-25k miles. Are motors from 1997 that different than 2005? Before they HAD to have their oil changed every 3k miles or else all hell would break loose, now, 10k, 15k, 20k, no problem...

Will your motor last twice as long as mine changing the oil twice as often?

Think about how much $ you spend on oil changes before you need a rebuild: $35 x 120,000 miles / 3,000 miles per change = $1400. Do you really think my motor is only going to last 60,000 miles changing the oil every 5, 6 or 10k miles? I'll take the extra $500-700 and put it to the side for a rebuild if it comes early.

Plus think of all the oil we use and waste we create. At least some of it is recycleable.

 

[weith1111]

I work at a dealership and me and some other mechanics have brought this up before. BMWs run 15,000 mile oil in them. These oils that last that long have much better detergents in them than your 3000 mile oil. I dont think I would start running 15k oil in a car with 100k miles that has been run on 3k oil its entire life. I think if a guy were to run the 15k oil it would be a good idea to check the oil every 1k and think about changing it at 10. 15k miles is alot of miles for oil and I wouldnt trust it over 10k. No personal expierience with that type of oil but thats what I would do. But to truly keep that engine clean its better to buy good oil and change it every 3k. hope this helps peace.

Let me point out, on the Mini Cooper S I used to have, the oil was changed every 10-15k+ miles, and they used standard synthetic oil, not this 15k mile creation that just came out.

I agree with it being a questionable idea on a motor with 100k miles on it, being fed non-synthetic for part of it's life. But for a motor that is in good shape, I say go for it.

 

[TSIMonsteR]

http://www.ecanfix.com/users/manualcd/gift/dsm/general_maintenance_1g_2g.pdf

this is the factory service manual. The oil change interval is 5000 miles for turbo dsms and 7500 for non turbo!!!

IMO, just keep it in check. If you use a high quality filter, every 5, 10, 15, or even 20k miles should be fine. If it looks dirty when you check it, change it...

 

[weith1111]

How much is the 15,000 mile stuff? I couldn't find it around here, only the 5k and 7500 conventional oils.

I pay roughly $5 a quart for your "standard" synthetic. I assume the 15k is like $7?

 

[wret]

Just out of curiosity, have you ever had your oil analyzed after the 10-15k of being used? Blackstone Labs has a very good oil analysis report. It would be interesting to see the results of the oil condition after that kind of mileage.

I analyze my oil about as often as my stool samples: never. I'm not trying to be on the techological/experimental cutting edge, I'm just cheap and lazy. My extended oil change interval practices predate the common use of synthetic oils. I've owned few cars and have always driven them well into the high milage zone. I've not had a wear related engine failure. Again not proof that my practices are benefical but perhaps evidence that they are not detrimental.

 

[turbotsi92]

The responses are great. Wret is making some good points. I always change it now at about 3000 miles, and the oil still looks pretty good. I think i will try it out, and let you all know how it goes.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

I think I recall a Defiant post describing the origins of synthetic oil and how it was originally supposed to be good for 15k anyways, much much before this 15k specific synthetic oil.

I change it at 3-5k anyhow just cause I love my car and want her to love me back.

 

[leet]

Mobil as a company isn't too high on my list right now.

 

[slipstream808]

Personally, I do 3k with an engine flush and a new filter.

I'm thinking of moving up to 4k, though. Oh yeah, Mobile 5W-30 synthetic here.

 

[talonracn49]

It will probably leak it all out in 3K miles, much less 15k

After about 3K miles on my 10W30 mobil1 full synthetic, my lifters would start tapping at idle, so I knew it was time to change it. This was on a 150K 2G GSX bone stock.

 

[Spoolin4Ever]

The color of oil does not have any indication of its lubrication ability.

So if your oil is dark colored (dirty) because it's full of partially burnt fuel (running rich), or burnt oil (PCV, rings, valves, etc..) and it's all nasty from those things, it doesn't affect the lubricating ability? Hog wash!

Sure the color of the oil itself is not an indicator (IE, fresh out of the bottle, some oils are very light in color, like valvoline, or dark like Castrol), if it's full of contaminants after 2-3 thousand miles because of running rich or burning oil, that oil better be changed more frequently, as opposed to a car that does not dirty up the oil real fast, where you can let it go further.

So, if your oil is CONTAMINATED, change it! Whether that happens at 1000, 2000, 3000 or 10,000 miles depends on the running condition of the engine, and everyone's is different!

Mobil 1 is good oil for the price (Get Amsoil if you want the very best), i wouldn't leave it in 15K. It just depends on how long it takes before the oil is contamineted IMHO.