The best motor oil ever to wear the Mobil 1 name.

The Power to PerformNew Mobil 1 with

The purpose of this booklet is to give you:

■ Background on Mobil 1 and its

development.

■ An explanation of the advantages of

Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil.

■ The truth behind some myths about

motor oil.

■ Answers to some commonly asked

questions about specific applications.

■ A basic overview of motor oil.

Table Of ContentsThe History Of Mobil 1 1Mobil 1 With SuperSyn 2A History Of Mobil 1 Credentials 6Mobil 1 Frequently Asked Questions 7Motor Oil Basics 14

The Mobil 1 story began almost 40years ago, when Mobil resolved aproblem plaguing carrier-based military planes. While the planeswere aloft, cold temperatures wouldsometimes solidify the grease onwheel bearings. When the planesslammed down onto the aircraftcarriers, the bearings failed.A synthetic wheel-bearing grease,Mobilgrease 28, was developed forthis situation and continues to beused in aircraft applicationsworldwide.

By the late 1960s, this technology was used to develop a syntheticmotor oil for a very specificapplication – helping the big dieselengines powering oil rigs on Alaska’s North Slope start and run even at temperatures as low as -40˚CEncouraged by this success and therealisation of synthetic oil’s manyhigh-performance qualities beyondlow-temperature applications, a NewConcept Engine Oil Team wascreated in 1971. The team’s workresulted in the development of thefirst Mobil 1 fully synthetic motor oil.By engineering its component fluids,Mobil 1 achieved far superiorlubricant properties than those ofconventional oils.

Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil waslaunched in Europe and Japan in1973, and in North America a yearlater. Initially available only in afuel-saving SAE 5W-20 viscositygrade, the Mobil 1 line expanded inthe next decade and its reputationfor outstanding performance grew.

In 1992, a new formula wasintroduced that improved high-temperature engine protection.

Advanced Formula Mobil 1 waslaunched with improved anti-wearperformance and lower phosphoruslevels to increase the life of catalyticconverters, whilst also providingultimate temperature protectionranging from 200˚ C down to colderthan -45˚ C.

The evolution of Mobil 1 continued,when in 1996, Mobil 1 Tri-SyntheticFormula was launched. Engineeredto outperform even its world-renowned predecessor, Mobil 1Tri-Synthetic combined three highlyadvanced synthetic componentswith an innovative package ofunique additives. Mobil 1Tri-Synthetic series motor oils offeredimproved wear protection, cleanerrunning engines and better high andlow temperature durability.

Now, for 2003, Mobil 1 withSuperSyn is being introduced.With a unique combination ofhigh-performance fluids, plus theSuperSyn anti-wear system forprotection under the most extremeuse, new Mobil 1 with SuperSynexceeds even the toughest industrystandards. It features:■ Outstanding wear protection.■ Excellent high and low

temperature performance.■ Improved protection against

sludge and harmful deposits.■ And for specific grades, excellent

fuel economy benefits.

In short, Mobil 1 with SuperSyn has a reserve of capability that youmay never need to call upon...but it’s great to know it’s there.

The History Of Mobil 1

1

Now Mobil 1 provides a higher levelof performance than ever before.With the new proprietary SuperSynanti-wear technology, Mobil 1 helpsgive your car exceptional protectionagainst engine wear, under normalor even the most extreme use.

The engineering story behind Mobil 1 with SuperSyn is trulyremarkable. This proprietaryformula was developed to protectengines not just in day-to-daydriving, but also in extended-drainapplications and in engines withmany years and miles of service.

Help extend the life of your engine.Pour in the performance – Mobil 1with SuperSyn.

1. Why did you formulateMobil 1 with SuperSyn?This new-generation Mobil 1 wascreated for several reasons – newtechnology, new global standardsand the increased demands beingplaced on motor oil by carmanufacturers.

Mobil 1 with SuperSyn uses a combination of high-performanceengineered fluids, including polyalphaolefins (PAO), plus the latest innovation in synthetic technology – the proprietarySuperSyn anti-wear system. Thiscombination of high-performancecomponents in Mobil 1 has resultedin a motor oil that can provideexcellent engine protection, andone that exceeds car manufacturersand oil industry specifications.

Mobil 1 with SuperSyn is the bestmotor oil ExxonMobil engineershave ever developed.

2. What’s better about Mobil 1with SuperSyn? What arethe advantages of this newformulation?With several car manufacturersextending or varying oil changeintervals, Mobil 1 with SuperSyn haseven more performance reserve.Mobil 1 with SuperSyn offers:■ Outstanding wear protection,

even under the most extremeconditions.

■ Enhanced high-temperature durability and low-temperature performance.

■ Outstanding engine cleanliness,with better sludge protection andreduced piston deposits.

■ Enhanced fuel-economy benefits

The primary goal for Mobil 1 hasalways been to protect your engineunder circumstances whereconventional oil cannot, such as verycold starting temperatures, extremehigh temperatures and high-loadconditions. But Mobil 1 is not just foruse in extreme circumstances. Youcan also realise Mobil 1’s benefits ofimproved engine cleanliness andlong engine life under everydaydriving conditions.

New Mobil 1 with SuperSyn – The Power to Perform

2

The most significant improvement inthe Mobil 1 formula is the SuperSynanti-wear system. This proprietaryadditive system has astounding protective properties. Instead of breaking down during extreme high-stress, high-temperature conditions, the SuperSyn anti-wearsystem actually excels under these conditions.

Mobil 1 with SuperSyn helps provide significant advantages over conventional motor oils, such as:

ANTI-WEAR■ Helping engines last longer.

■ Superior protection under heavy

engine loads / stress, such as

pulling trailers / carrying

heavy loads.

■ Minimising oil degradation.

ALL TEMPERATURE■ Faster lubrication at start-up in

low temperatures.

■ Superior protection at high

temperatures.

■ Superior resistance to thermal

breakdown.

ENGINE CLEANLINESS■ Superior protection against

harmful deposits.

■ Cleaner running engines.

ENGINE EFFICIENCY ■ Greater resistance to oil oxidation

(thickening).

■ Lower oil consumption under

high-speed conditions.

■ Optimising engine efficiency.

The Story

4

3. Will the consumer loseanything with this newformulation?No. Mobil 1 with SuperSyn is thebest Mobil 1 ever. In addition, thenew formulation is compatible withall previous formulations and engineoil requirements.

4. Is this reformulationnecessary to meet newstandards from the oilindustry, car makers oranother government orindustry group?One of the reasons behind thenew formulation is to not just meet,but exceed, new standards. Mobil 1with SuperSyn is truly a globalformulation, exceeding the lateststandards from the oil industry andvehicle manufacturers alike.

For instance, the appropriategrades of Mobil 1 with SuperSynexceed ACEA standards A3/B3, APIService SL/CF, Japanese valvetrainrequirements and ILSAC GF-3, inaddition, some viscosity gradesexceed specific OEM standards.One example is Mobil 1 0W-40,which exceeds Mercedes-Benz’s229.3 and 229.5 specifications.

While all of these abbreviations andnumerical designations may seemdaunting, you can rest assured thatMobil 1 with SuperSyn representsthe latest technology in syntheticmotor oil, and that it is engineeredto exceed industry specifications.

■ Mobil 1 0W-40 is factory fill in all Porsche cars.

■ Mobil 1 0W-40 is factory fill in all Mercedes-Benz AMG cars.

■ Mobil 1 0W-40 is factory fill in all Aston Martin cars.

“Original Equipment”

The quality of Mobil 1 is recognised by many of the world’s car manufacturers. For example:

Over the years and through severalgenerations, Mobil 1 has been tested under the most grueling circumstances imaginable. Each test yielded confirmation of theincredible performance of Mobil 1.And each evolution has made Mobil 1 even better.

1,600,000 kilometreswith Mobil 1As one example of the level oftesting undertaken, a 1990 modelyear BMW was tested for 1,600,000kilometres with Mobil 1 and showedextremely low wear. Oil drain intervalswere 12,000 kilometres, as specifiedby the manufacturer, and Mobil 1was used from the very first dayof testing.

After the end of the test, with1,611,146 kilometres on the vehicle,the engine was removed and internalcomponents were inspected andmeasured. Overall engine wear wasextremely light. In fact, with theexception of light to moderate wearon the camshaft and followers, noother significant engine wear wasnoted. Oil consumption over theentire test was just 0,023 litres/1,000kilometres.

A 320,000 kilometrecomparison.Another high-mileage testcompared identical 2.3-litrefour-cylinder engines run for320,000 kilometres – one usingMobil 1 5W-30 and the otherusing a premium brand 5W-30 conventional oil. There were someinteresting results:■ Engine-wear rates were higher

for the conventional oil than for Mobil 1.

■ The conventional oil producedheavy varnish deposits,

while Mobil 1 left the engine virtually clean.

■ Consumption of the conventionaloil was eight times higher thanthat of Mobil 1.

■ While Mobil 1 remained at theSAE 30 viscosity level throughoutmost of the test, the conventionaloil showed rapid degradation,with its viscosity increasing intothe 15W-40 range. This obviouslywould adversely affect any fueleconomy performance benefits.

High-Stress Engine TestAn earlier formulation of Mobil 1was also subjected to an enginetest that demonstrates the oxidativestability and wear protection of anoil under high-temperatureconditions. This test of Mobil 1 wasderived from a Sequence IIIEengine test and was run using aGM 3.8-litre V6 engine with the oilkept at a constant 150° C in thesump. While the Sequence IIIE testis normally run for 64 hours, thisMobil 1 test was run four timeslonger. And even after 256 hours,Mobil 1 still provided protection tothe engine.

Keeping in mind that these testswere conducted with earlierformulations of Mobil 1, ExxonMobilengineers are confident that Mobil 1with SuperSyn will provide evengreater protection than itspredecessors.

A History Of Mobil 1 Credentials

6

Trust the factory-fill decisions ofengineers who design Porsche,Mercedes-Benz AMG, ChryslerViper and Aston Martin engines.They all use Mobil 1.

The following questions and answersare presented to help explain someof the more difficult motor oil-relatedconcepts, and to help dispel someof the myths about synthetics ingeneral and Mobil 1 in particular.In some cases, a certain degree ofprior knowledge about motor oilsand automotive technology isassumed. If you’d like to learn aboutmore fundamental questions, turnto “Motor Oil Basics” on page 14 ofthis booklet.

1. What’s the differencebetween a fully syntheticand a semi-syntheticmotor oil?All motor oils are made up of baseoils and additives. In general,fully synthetic motor oils containnon-conventional, high-perform-ance fluids. Semi-synthetic oils(also called “blends”) usually use asmall percentage of non-conven-tional, high-performance fluids in combination with conventional oil.

2. Is Mobil 1 a fullysynthetic oil?Yes, it is. To meet the demandingrequirements of today’s specifica-tions (and our customers’ expecta-tions), Mobil 1 uses high-perfor-mance synthetic fluids, includingpolyalphaolefins (PAO), along witha proprietary system of additives.In fact, each Mobil 1 viscositygrade uses a specific combinationof synthetic fluids and selectedadditives in order to tailor theviscosity grade to its uniquerequirements.

3. What makes syntheticmotor oil superior to conven-tional motor oil?First of all, the performance of Mobil1 is more robust, especially in termsof low-temperature pumping and

flow. High-temperature stability and protection against deposits are alsosuperior. These attributes translatedirectly into less engine wear andlonger engine life.

Historically, conventional oils lackthe performance of synthetic oilsin the areas of low-temperatureperformance and high-temperatureoxidation stability. Conventional oilsalso contain much greater amountsof impurities, such as sulphur, reac-tive and unstable hydrocarbons,and other undesirable contaminantsthat cannot be completely removedby conventional refining of crude oil.

4. You talk about cold-tem-perature performance, butjust how good is Mobil 1 atlow temperatures?Because of the high-performancefluids in Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil,it generally flows at much lower temperatures than a conventional oil.

Low-Temperature PerformanceMobil 1 With SuperSyn

Viscosity Pour Grade Point Pumpability0W-40 -54˚ C -47˚ C15W-50 -45˚ C -37˚ C

5. What about high-tempera-ture protection?At normal engine operating tempe-ratures, Mobil 1 synthetic motor oilsoffer better wear protection andbetter resistance to thermaldegradation than conventional orsemi-synthetic oils. Mobil 1 willcontinue to perform at temperaturesthat make conventional andsemi-synthetic motor oils start tooxidise and turn to sludge.

Mobil 1 motor oils are capable ofprotecting engines at temperaturesup to 200˚C. This type of stability

is especially important forstop-and-go driving, for modernengines which tend to run athigher temperatures, and forturbocharged engines.

6. Why do turbochargedengines have speciallubrication needs?Oil temperatures in turbochargedengines can run significantly higherthan those in non-turbochargedengines, especially in the area ofthe turbocharger bearings afterengine shutdown. With no oilmovement after engine shutdown,these elevated temperatures cancause “coking” of conventionalmotor oil – that is, the oil literallyturns to carbon. The high-tempera-ture oxidation stability of Mobil 1makes turbocharged engines aperfect application for Mobil 1,which will help prevent coking inan oil-cooled turbocharger.

Mobil 1 Frequently asked questions

7

7. Does Mobil 1 use thesame additives as conven-tional oils? Mobil 1 uses carefully selectedindividual components, creating aunique formulation of additivesdesigned to perform far better thanthose used in conventional oils.(Most conventional oils usestandard additive packages.) Inaddition, many of the additivesthat Mobil 1 uses are proprietary.

Most multigrade motor oils usesimilar classes of performanceadditives, such as dispersants,detergents and antioxidants thathelp keep the engine clean, as wellas an additive called a ViscosityIndex (V.I.) improver to achieve thehigh-temperature viscositiesneeded by today’s engines. (See“The Additive Story”)

Typically, V.I. improvers arelong-chain polymers that uncoil athigh temperatures to provide higherviscosity and coil up at low temper-atures to provide better oil flow.

Unfortunately, these molecules canbe broken (sheared) by the slidingaction of engine parts with closetolerances. Once the V.I. improvermolecule is sheared, it is no longereffective.

Mobil 1 formulations do not requirethe same level of Viscosity Indeximprover as do conventional oils.Since Mobil 1’s high-performancecomponents are less likely to breakdown, Mobil 1 is engineered to protect your engine longer.

8. Does the viscosity of Mobil1 differ from that of typicalmotor oils, especially at highor low temperatures?At very low temperatures, when theoil needs to be “thinner” to flowreadily, Mobil 1 is capable ofpumping easily while conventionaloils can thicken substantially.At very high temperatures, whenthe oil needs to be thick enough toprovide a film on engine parts toprevent metal-to-metal contact,Mobil 1 resists being squeezed out

Significant engine wear can occur at start-up, so it’scritical for engine parts toreceive proper lubrication as soon as possible.

8

of the contact area betweenmetal surfaces by maintaining itsviscosity. This helps preventpremature engine wear.

Typically, a conventional oil caneasily evaporate and more readilyoxidise in extreme heat. The newMobil 1 formulation, with its combi-nation of high-performance fluidsand a proprietary additive system,provides greater stability in extremelow or high engine temperatures.

Mobil 1 synthetic motor oils have aninherently higher Viscosity Indexthan conventional motor oils. Mobil1 is also less prone to thermalviscosity breakdown – the oil main-tains its viscosity for a longer time.

Mobil 1 with SuperSyn, in particular,has tremendous visco-elasticity.Simply put, this is the ability of the oilto retain its viscosity under incrediblestress, pressure and shearconditions.

9. Can I use an oil supple-ment and/or engine treat-ment with Mobil 1? We do not recommend it. Accordingto the American Petroleum Institute(API) “certified oils eliminate theneed for supplementary engine oilsadditives. In fact, the use of any ‘oilsupplement’ is not recommendedby car manufacturers and mayinvalidate a warranty.”

Considering the comprehensivetesting and engineering that hasgone into Mobil 1, nothing canbe gained by using thesesupplements.

10. How often should Ichange the oil if I’m usingMobil 1?Oil change intervals can be asshort as 5,000 Kilometres or as longas 30,000 Kilometres on some newcars. We recommend that youfollow the oil and filter changefrequencies shown in your owner’s

manual, especially during thewarranty period. With Mobil 1’shigh-performance reserves, youcan have the confidence to go thefull distance or time framerecommended by the vehiclemanufacturer. Mobil 1 withSuperSyn is especially suitable forthe latest vehicles with extendeddrain intervals or vehicles with oilmonitoring systems that vary oildrain intervals.

In addition to its synthetic compo-nents, Mobil 1 is comprised of aunique selection of additives, eachdesigned to accomplish certaingoals. Unlike most motor oils thatare formulated with additive pack-ages, Mobil 1 is formulated by care-fully testing and selecting the highest-performance additives available.Some, like SuperSyn, are proprietary.Others are used in unique concentra-tions. Here is a summary of the kindsof additives found in Mobil 1:■ Anti-wear agents including

SuperSyn and more traditionaladditives such as zinc/phospho-rus-based components.

■ Detergent/dispersants –Designed for optimal enginecleaning, these agents help reducevarnish, carbon, sludge andharmful deposits.

■ Rust and corrosion inhibitors – Hold acids in suspension.

■ Oxidation inhibitors – These elements offer high-temperatureprotection and cause themolecules that create oxidation tobe neutralized.

■ Foam inhibitors – Particularly beneficial in high-performanceapplications, such as sustained high engine revs.

■ Friction modifiers – Aid in wear protection and provide fuel-economybenefits.

■ Viscosity Index improvers – WhileMobil 1 requires a lesser amount ofthese additives, the V.I. improversused are among the most shear-stable available.

■ Seal-swell agents – Designed to enhance compatibility with engineseals in all engines (new and old).

THE ADDITIVE STORY

11. Should I follow the “severe service” oil change intervals mentioned in the owner’s manual? Does Mobil 1 offer specificbenefits under these conditions?Many kinds of driving conditions qualify your vehicle for “severe service”oil change intervals, and Mobil 1 is ideal for this service. “Severe service”conditions can include:■ Trips of less than 16 kilometres.■ Driving in cold weather.■ Idling for extended periods.■ Stop-and-go traffic.■ Pulling trailers/carrying heavy loads.■ Driving in dusty conditions.

Under both “normal” and “severe service” conditions, Mobil 1 is engineeredto provide performance reserves in the areas of sludge prevention, pistoncleanliness, wear protection and high-temperature durability.

12. When can I start using Mobil 1 in my new vehicle?You can start using Mobil 1 at any time, even in brand-new vehicles. In fact, Mobil 1 is original equipment (it is installed in the factory) in:■ All Porsche cars■ Mercedes-Benz AMG cars■ All Aston Martin cars■ Chrysler Vipers

13. Is it true that new engines need a break-in period usingconventional motor oil?That is a myth. In the past, running-in an engine was necessary to removeany metal flashing (called swarf) or abrasive material left inside the engineafter machining, as well as to allow the valves and rings to “seat” properly.Today’s engines are built with much tighter tolerances, much improvedmachining and under much cleaner conditions compared to the engines of10 or 20 years ago. Current engine manufacturing technology does notrequire a break-in period using petroleum-based motor oils.

In fact, Mobil 1 has shown excellent results in industry standard ASTM tests,most of which use completely rebuilt engines for each new test run. Mobil1’s outstanding results in these tests demonstrate that proper break-in usingMobil 1 is not a concern. Mobil 1 can be used in an engine from the dayyou drive off the showroom floor.

Trust the engineers that specify Mobil 1 as original equipment.

10

Mobil 1 is engineered to provide performancereserves in the areas ofsludge prevention, pistoncleanliness, wear protectionand high-temperature durability.

14. Will the use of Mobil 1 invalidate my new-car warranty?With the exception of the Mazda rotary engine (Mazda does not recommendany synthetic oils), Mobil 1 will not invalidate new-car warranties. Mobil 1exceeds the ACEA, API and ILSAC engine oil service requirements of all new-car manufacturers. If in doubt, always check your vehicle's owner manual or contact your vehicle’s manufacturer.

15. Can I use Mobil 1 in older vehicles with high mileage?Yes you can. Mobil 1 can help increase the life of all engines, even those inolder vehicles and/or with high mileage. The extra cleaners in Mobil 1 canhelp clear stuck rings to help restore engine efficiency. Keep in mind, however, that Mobil 1 cannot correct an existing engine problem.

16. Is it okay to mix conven-tional oil with Mobil 1?Mobil 1 is fully compatible with conventional motor oils, semi-syn-thetic motor oils and other syntheticmotor oils, should it be necessary tomix them. However the superiorperformance of Mobil 1 will bereduced by diluting it.

17. Do I need to flush myengine before switching toMobil 1?Absolutely not. No special prepara-tion is necessary when switchingfrom conventional motor oil to Mobil 1.

18. Can Mobil 1 be used indiesel engines?Mobil 1 will provide excellent servicefor passenger car diesel enginesexceeding ACEA B3 and API CD orCF. Light and heavy-duty truckengines (API CE, CF-4, CG-4, CH-4or CI-4) should use one of theproducts from the Delvac line forheavy-duty diesel engines – likeMobil Delvac 1 synthetic engine oil.Mobil Delvac 1 synthetic oil can

help improve fuel economy, extendoil drain intervals, extend engine life,provide enhanced wear/cleanlinessprotection and reduce oilconsumption.

16

Mobil 1 Advantages

Mobil 1 with SuperSyn offers numerous advantages over

conventional oil, including:

■ Wear protection – Significant wear can take place at engine start-up,

especially under cold operating temperatures. Mobil 1 flows easily at very

low temperatures, allowing it to reach all areas of the engine and

valvetrain quickly. Mobil 1 with SuperSyn is formulated with a proprietary

high-performance additive system that continues to provide wear protection

during long-term use.

■ High-temperature stability – High temperatures can oxidize lubricants, causing

the viscosity to increase (the oil thickens). By using high-performance

fluids and a robust antioxidant system, Mobil 1 resists oxidation better than

conventional oils, even at temperatures as high as 200˚ C.

■ Cold-temperature performance – Conventional oils can thicken as

components crystallize at very low temperatures, impeding oil flow. Because

of the superior flow of its high-performance components, Mobil 1 will pump

quickly to moving parts.

■ Deposit protection – Sludge formation from oil breakdown can block oil

passages, impede oil flow and cause piston rings to stick. Mobil 1’s uniquely

balanced additive package provides outstanding protection against deposits

and sludge.

1. What does motor oilactually do in an engine?Motor oil probably handles moretasks within an engine than anyother component, fluid or material.While most people know that motoroil’s main job is to protect theengine by lubricating its movingparts, modern motor oil alsoneeds to:■ Cool critical engine parts by

transferring heat away from them.■ Protect against engine wear that

could be caused by a variety ofcontaminants, from acidiccombustion by-products tosludge and soot deposits to dirtand dust particles.

■ Pump easily to critical engineparts at low temperatures.

■ Remain stable at hightemperatures.

■ Help improve fuel economy.■ Keep internal components clean

and free from varnish andharmful deposits.

2. What’s inside the oil thatcan help it accomplish allthese tasks?Since lubricating engine compo-nents – reducing friction for smootherrunning and optimal efficiency –is only part of what a motor oil mustdo, it obviously must rely on help.That’s where additives come in.

All detergent-type motor oilscontain detergent and dispersantadditives that suspend contami-

nants and combustion by-products.That’s why your oil may look dirtywhen you check it – it’s doing itsjob. And that’s also why you can’ttell when it’s time to change the oilsimply by looking at its color.

The oil is designed to prevent thesecorrosive contaminants from beingdeposited on engine surfaces,where they can cause piston ringsto stick and oil-pump screens tobecome blocked.

The oil filter helps by removing abrasive particles as the oil passesthrough the filter. But an oil filtercan’t catch fuel dilution and otherliquid contaminants.

Motor Oil Basics

No matter how good the oil and the oil filter, eventually they can nolonger do their jobs effectively.That’s because with time and use,the oil’s additives get used up –causing the oil itself to degrade(oxidize or thicken). At that point,the oil must be changed, beforesludge and deposits build up.When the oil is drained, thecontaminants are removed with it.

Obviously, oil should be changedbefore its contamination levelreaches the point that could resultin engine damage. Yet it’s unlikelythat the individual motorist will beable to determine this critical point.For this reason, automobile manu-facturers recommend oil changes ata specific time or distance interval,whichever comes first.

3. How often should I change the oil?Without scientific analysis of the oil,it’s impossible to tell how quicklyyour motor oil becomes depleted.That’s why all automotivecompanies have specific time andmileage intervals specificallyrecommended for your vehicle.

We strongly recommend that youfollow the oil change frequenciesshown in your owner’s manual.These recommendations vary bymodel year and manufacturer, andare influenced by driving habits,conditions and environments. In addition, you should alwayschange both the oil and the oil filter at these intervals.

4. My owner’s manual liststwo different schedules.How do I know if I shouldfollow the “normal” or“severe service” schedule?Virtually all manufacturers list twotypes of “service” – normal andsevere. Severe service operationswill require more frequent oil and filter changes. Severe service conditions can include any of the following:■ Trips of less than 16 kilometres.■ Driving in cold weather.■ Idling for extended periods.■ Stop-and-go traffic.■ Pulling trailers/carrying heavy

loads.■ Driving in dusty conditions.

Short trips, especially during coldweather, can be particularly severe.The engine may not get a chance to warm up sufficiently to boil off moisture and unburnt fuel in the oil,leading to the development ofacids in the oil.

Since the engine is partially cooledby airflow, temperatures canincrease when the engine is idling.High temperatures can also occurwhen the engine is under heavyloads, such as when towing. Hightemperatures can lead to morerapid oil oxidation and thickening.

GOOD MAINTENANCEPRACTICES

Using the right motor oil, andchanging both the oil and filterregularly, are all part of a propermaintenance regime that can helpyour vehicle’s engine last longer.Proper maintenance of your vehicle’s engine will not only helpit run better, but also have a directeffect on the useful life of themotor oil.

Key items to consider under aschedule of proper maintenanceinclude:■ Ignition and engine timing

(as required).■ Fuel injection or carburetion

adjustments.■ Air cleaner service.■ Regularly checking the general

mechanical condition ofthe engine.

As engines age and engine partswear, the amount of blow-by gasesthat escape to the crankcaseincreases. Blow-by refers to combustion gases that escapebetween the piston rings andcylinder walls instead of going out the exhaust system. Blow-bygases degrade engine oil, shortening its life. For that reason,you may have to shorten your oil change intervals as your vehicle ages.

Since the engine is cooled partially by airflow, engine temperatures tend to increasewhen the engine is idling.

15

When you drive in dusty conditions,abrasives can get past the air filterand into the oil system.

All of these conditions are very hardon motor oils. They introduce extracontaminants or waste products intothe motor oil and create the needfor frequent oil changes.

5. I only drive a few thousandkilometers a year. I shouldn’thave to change my oil thatoften, right?Wrong! Low annual mileage, especially if it involves short trips,can be far more detrimental tomotor oil than high mileage atmotorway speeds. That’s why allvehicle manufacturers list both timeand mileage recommendations foroil change intervals. Believe it ornot, this type of driving constitutes“severe service.”

6. What is viscosity and whyis it important in motor oils?Put simply, viscosity refers to the“thickness” of a fluid. Moreprecisely, viscosity is a measure ofa fluid’s resistance to flow. “Thin” orlow-viscosity fluids flow easily –water is a good example. On theother hand, honey is an example ofa “thick,” high-viscosity fluid.

But the viscosity of a fluid oftenvaries with temperature. For exam-ple, motor oil changes viscosity asits temperature changes – it isthicker when cold and thinner whenhot. Ironically, it needs to act inalmost the opposite way.

At low temperatures, oil should bethinner so that it flows readily andwon’t thicken too much or gel in

cold weather. Use of a thinner(or lighter) oil at low temperaturesmakes it easier to start an engineand speeds the flow of oil to criticalengine parts.

At high temperatures, the oil must be thick enough to form a film onengine parts in order to preventmetal-to-metal contact. A high-viscosity oil resists being squeezedout of this contact area betweenmetal surfaces, preventing premature engine wear.

So the ideal viscosity for an oil hasto balance between low-tempera-ture flow and high-temperature protection.

7. What does “multigrade” or“multi-viscosity” refer to?These two terms refer to the samething. Multigrade or multi-viscositymotor oils are formulated to meetthe requirements of more than one viscosity grade classification fromthe Society of Automotive Engineers(SAE). This means that multigradeoils can be used over a wider temperature range than monograde(or single-grade) oils. A multigradeoil is identified by two SAE gradedesignations, e.g., 10W-30. TheSAE 10W-30 designation indicatesthat the oil acts like a 10W-gradeoil at cold temperatures and a30-grade oil at normal operatingtemperatures.

The “W” initially stood for “winter”when multigrade motor oils werefirst introduced. The lower numberin front of the “W” identifies the oil’s performance in engine starting atwinter temperatures. A smallernumber indicates a better ability toYou can’t tell when it’s time

to change the oil simply bylooking at its color. Your oilmay look dirty when you check it – that just means it’s doing its job.

QUICK LUBRICATION

Significant engine wear can occurat start-up, so it’s critical forengine parts to receive properlubrication as soon as possible.

Prior to start-up, most of the oilresides in the engine’s sump.When the engine is started, ashort period of time elapsesbefore the oil can be pumped from the sump and suppliedthroughout the engine. During this critical time, engine parts are not adequately lubricated. So the quicker the oil can be circulated through the engine, the quicker the engine partsreceive proper lubrication.

16

flow at lower temperatures.Similarly, the “50” in 15W-50 meansthat the oil will provide higher oilfilms during high-temperatureoperation in the summer.

8. Which viscosity gradeshould I use in my car?You should follow the manufacturer’srecommendations as indicated inyour vehicle owner’s manual.For maximum low-temperatureperformance and maximum fueleconomy, use the lightest (lowestSAE grade) recommended oilviscosity. Heavier oils can impedeengine starting, lower fuel economyand steal horsepower. Improvedengine technology with tighterpiston-ring and cylinder-walltolerances allows the use of a lower-viscosity oil without increasing oilconsumption. (A “loose” engine, orone with wide tolerances, allows toomuch oil to get past the piston ringsand into the combustion chamber,where the oil is burned alongwith gasoline.)

9. If I’m a little bit low onoil, does it matter if I put intoo much?Yes, it does. Overfilling the enginecrankcase could cause the oil tointerfere with some moving parts.The crankshaft could churn the oil,causing excessive foaming thatwould reduce the effectiveness oflubrication to critical areas of theengine. Overfilling might also causetoo much oil to get into piston/cylinder areas, which could causeengine smoking and increased oilusage. In extreme cases, enginecrankshaft seals could be damagedby the high pressure caused byoverfilling the crankcase.

Multigrade motor oils are formulated to meet the requirements of more than one SAE viscosity grade classification – they can beused over a wider temperaturerange than monograde oils.

© 2003 Exxon Mobil Corporation

The Mobil, Mobil 1, SuperSyn and ExxonMobil logotypes and the Flying Horse design are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its affiliates.

Mobil 1 is fitted at the production plant asoriginal equipment in some of the world’sfinest vehicles, including:

■ All Porsche cars■ Mercedes-Benz AMG cars■ All Aston Martin cars■ Chrysler Vipers

The technology employed in Mobil 1, the world's leading synthetic motor oil, is used by the Team McLaren Mercedes – the Formula One team, exclusively in allof their race cars.