Why you need to use 504/507 oils in FSI/TSI/TDI engines!

[Idle]

I've bought Mobil 1 from GL Lubricants a couple of times — product has been quite genuine and service OK.

[AnDyStYLe]

Sorry all, just me again with a whole lot of mind fk... Been interesting researching the variety of oils though, but my friend 'sleep' doesn't like me too much for it.

Now I've come across many threads about Mobil 1 and to my interpretation, it hasn't been Group IV for a while, but rather Visom (Group III+). Something about a law suit with Castrol.

There was a shtload of info on BITOG (Bob is the Oil Guy forum), but I can't find that thread again. Although the below link (read posts 26 & 28 ) is pretty much the same info I found in BITOG.
Summer blend oil - Page 3 - NorCal SVTOA Forums

What does this all mean to us in Aus?

If I've got it right, the Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 made in USA is a oil base group III+, however Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 made in Europe is group IV?

As such, even purchasing through GL Lubricants which import from USA, we still should get the Europe product as it has been confirmed that they are made in Europe?

I am really looking for a 100% synthenic oil (group IV or V) which is VW 504/507 approved, but it seems that everyone outside of Europe (myself included) are struggling to find this.

I thought I found this in the Motul 8100 X-Clean 5w30 and Motul Specific 504/507 products, however even though many indicate that it's group IV, I ended up finding a link to the product safety sheet which looks like it's actually upto 50% hydrocracked, so in fact not 100% group IV. Furthermore, it appears that Motul Specific 504/507 is discontinued in Aus.

All this searching is rather out of curiosity and to gain some enlightenment, and if I can find answers and round it down to what I will end up putting in my engine that would be a bonus.

I've now got a very basic understanding of the flash points, TBN, HTHS and all that other technical jargon and all the talk about zinc etc.

Anyhoo, this post is just a food for thought and a couple of questions added in. Bit of a ramble post but blame that for lack of sleep.

It's so fkn hard finding hard concrete facts about brands and their products and specs, as all the info on the interwebz is so contridictory. omgz nowai?!?!

If anyone would like to share their thoughts that would be great!

Cheers,

Andy

[Transporter]

You're definitely on the right track.
Using the highest quality specs oil for your engine is important as well as changing the oil on time. For many 15,000km or every 12 months will prove too long, but it's usually late when they discover that they should've change the oil more often.

I use only the brands that are made of Group4 base oils (or mostly the Group4 to be precise and not to upset some).

[Diesel_vert]

Now I've come across many threads about Mobil 1 and to my interpretation, it hasn't been Group IV for a while, but rather Visom (Group III+). Something about a law suit with Castrol.

There was a shtload of info on BITOG (Bob is the Oil Guy forum), but I can't find that thread again. Although the below link (read posts 26 & 28 ) is pretty much the same info I found in BITOG.
Summer blend oil - Page 3 - NorCal SVTOA Forums

ExxonMobil have found a way of manufacturing an engine lubricant using a blend of group III+ (Visom), group IV and group V base stocks with the same performance characteristics as a 100% PAO formulation.

The idea is that the makeup of the individual components do not matter as much as the whole formulation in its finished form. What truly matters is that there is no net loss (or there is a net gain) in operational performance in the field.

Nevertheless, some American motoring enthusiasts feel disappointed that not all synthetic products from ExxonMobil have a 100% PAO formulation.

If I've got it right, the Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 made in USA is a oil base group III+, however Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 made in Europe is group IV?

Germany is the only market where lubricants without a 100% PAO formulation cannot be labelled fully synthetic (vollsynthetisches).

As such, Mobil 1 ESP Forumla 5W-30 is labelled Synthese Technologie in Germany, and Fully Synthetic in all other European and worldwide markets.

As such, even purchasing through GL Lubricants which import from USA, we still should get the Europe product as it has been confirmed that they are made in Europe?

Yes.

I am really looking for a 100% synthenic oil (group IV or V) which is VW 504/507 approved, but it seems that everyone outside of Europe (myself included) are struggling to find this.

It's the never ending quest.

You may actually find that European motorists (who are interested in this sort of thing) are in the same boat as you.

I thought I found this in the Motul 8100 X-Clean 5w30 and Motul Specific 504/507 products, however even though many indicate that it's group IV, I ended up finding a link to the product safety sheet which looks like it's actually upto 50% hydrocracked, so in fact not 100% group IV.

As I would expect with other 504/507 products.

Sorry all, just me again with a whole lot of mind fk... Been interesting researching the variety of oils though, but my friend 'sleep' doesn't like me too much for it.

All this searching is rather out of curiosity and to gain some enlightenment, and if I can find answers and round it down to what I will end up putting in my engine that would be a bonus.

It's so fkn hard finding hard concrete facts about brands and their products and specs, as all the info on the interwebz is so contridictory. omgz nowai?!?!

I think perhaps, the following sig of BITOG member dnewton3, one of the very few members on that forum who actually know what they're talking about, is relevant here:

Conventionals vs. Synthetics isn't about which is "better"; it's about which lasts longer, while assuring safe operation, in relation to cost. Any product can be over or under utilized. The same applies to filters.
Make an informed decision; first consider your operating conditions, next determine your maintenance plan, and then pick your lube and filter. Don't do it the other way around ...

I acknowledge the principle is a little constrained than if there were no OEM oil specifications to deal with - but for the most part, it still holds.

[AnDyStYLe]

^ Much appreciated Diesel_vert!

You've shared an exceptional amount of knowledge mate!

Last quote sums it all up I reckon.

Thanks again!

Cheers,

Andy

[AnDyStYLe]

Just an FYI for all...

I popped into my local Autobarn and found that they stock the Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 for $29.99 for a 1L bottle! Wtf?!?!

Peeled the sticker back, and what do you know... They too are from EU - Finland!!!

Cheers,

Andy

[Transporter]

Just an FYI for all...

I popped into my local Autobarn and found that they stock the Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 for $29.99 for a 1L bottle! Wtf?!?!

Peeled the sticker back, and what do you know... They too are from EU - Finland!!!

Cheers,

Andy

Most likely not from Mobil Australia.

[AnDyStYLe]

^ I was under the impression that Autobarn are one of the few distributors of Southern Cross Lubes. Well in Vic according to Southern Cross Lubes.

Southern Cross Lubes - Stockists

I'd very much doubt that Autobarn would parallel import their Mobil 1 products.

Cheers,

Andy

[brad]

^ I was under the impression that Autobarn are one of the few distributors of Southern Cross Lubes. Well in Vic according to Southern Cross Lubes.

Southern Cross Lubes - Stockists

I'd very much doubt that Autobarn would parallel import their Mobil 1 products.

Cheers,

Andy

^^^^ +1

[Idle]

Just an FYI for all...

I popped into my local Autobarn and found that they stock the Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 for $29.99 for a 1L bottle! Wtf?!?!

Peeled the sticker back, and what do you know... They too are from EU - Finland!!!

Cheers,

Andy

At $30 a litre they are, of course, jesting — it can be had for less than half that.

[AnDyStYLe]

^ Yeah for sure, that exercise was just to see if GL Lubricants were any different to Autobarn.

It seems that they are exactly the same, so I personally won't have any problems purchasing from GL Lubricants moving forward.

Cheers,

Andy

[brad]

The delivery costs might kill it for you.

Have you contacted your local Mobil rep/distributor? That was the cheapest way when my mate in ACT bought some. Only catch was you had to buy 20L

[AnDyStYLe]

There's a bloke in Vic (Greensborough) area that sells Mobil 1 similar to GL Lubricants. Think his name is [s]Nick[/s] Harold (Proformancelubes). Also has a website and eBay store.

I haven't sussed him out yet as I think he's away until after Easter. But there's a lot of people from many forums that buy from him it seems.

Delivered through GL Lubricants isn't too bad. I dummied up 5L with delievry and it was around $80.

Cheers,

Andy

[OilBurna]

Anyone using Valvoline Synpower picked up some from Repco for $52 good timing as I needed a topic and had finished the last if the Castrol Powerflow


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[brad]

Anyone using Valvoline Synpower picked up some from Repco for $52 good timing as I needed a topic and had finished the last if the Castrol Powerflow


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It was the workshop oil at Wakelings Campbelltown when they had Skoda. I had 3 services with it (2009, '10, '11). Nothing adverse to report.