mobil 1 fiasco: who's switching? who's going down with the ship?

[AgExplorer]

Originally posted by Rick
Amsoil claims that Mobil 1 is now a blend. Mobil claims that it is still not a blend and differentiates between the two.

Where does AMSOIL claim that Mobil 1 is now a blend? I have never seen any information on this matter. A blend is typically defined as a blend of synthetic motor oil and conventional motor oil.

In the lawsuit filed by Mobil against Castrol, a court found that Castrol can legally use the term "synthetic" for their Syntec product even though the base stock is a highly refined petroleum product. Mobil maybe using "synthetic" in the legal sense where they state "Mobil 1® uses high-performance fluids,
including polyalphaolefins (PAOs), along with a proprietary system of additives".

There are two classes of rating for synthetics that apply - Class 3 for those using a highly refined (hydrocracked) petroleum base stock and Class 4 for a 100% PAO base stock. Mobil 1 could be a Class 4 or somewhere in between a 3 and 4.

I know for a fact that AMSOIL is made from 100% chemically derived synthetic base oils.

 

[Rick]

Here is the link from Amsoil:

Dead Link Removed

 

[aldive]

I am still waiting to see the proff that Mobil 1 is not 100% synthetic......

 

[AgExplorer]

That article was from an article in "Lubricants World" 08/00 by Katherine Bui. It is posted by an independent dealer. It is very interesting but is a product of the magazine. Any official word by AMSOIL will come from their corportate website at www.amsoil.com.

Al, Under the legal definitions of synthetic, you may never see official word about Mobil 1. Lubricants World is probably the best source of information about the lubricant industry. Now if what they are stating is not true, wouldn't Mobil 1 have them in court about now?

Here's a little more food for thought:

In a press release dated April 14, 1999, Mobil Corporation announced its upgrade of Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil to Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic Formula. The press release states, "New Mobil l Tri-Synthetic Formula combines three highly advanced synthetic polymers with an innovative anti-wear additive package developed by Mobil engineers and chemists."

AMSOIL Technical Services Manager Byron Selbrede is not overwhelmingly impressed. "This is not earth shattering news," said Selbrede. "It sounds like things we have been doing for years." Selbrede says based on the press release, the new Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic Formula offers nothing more than AMSOIL synthetic lubricants do, and quite a bit less. "We've moved beyond the multiple base stock technology. They're still playing catch-up with us."

The fact that Mobil is trying to catch up is a good indication that the market is swinging in favor of AMSOIL synthetic motor oils. Market research must have convinced Mobil that qualities like cold morning start-ups and protection in hot highway and stop-and-go driving – benefits built into AMSOIL motor oils for many years – are what today's consumers want.

There’s a statement in the press release which offers a good indication of AMSOIL's technological lead. It refers to Mobil l’s upgrade in 1992. "The press release states that Mobil Corporation upgraded the Mobil 1 formulation in 1992 to incorporate synthetic jet engine oil technology," said Selbrede. "AMSOIL started out with jet engine oil technology from the very beginning in 1972." For those doing the math, that’s a 20-year lead.
Copyright © Amsoil 1999

 

[99explorer5.0]

I just got off the phone with the CEO of mobil 1 and he was nice enough to take time off of his busy schedule to tell me that it is still 100% synthetic .... case closed .... have a nice day .... now you guys can move on with your lives. Dead Link Removed Dead Link Removed

 

[AgExplorer]

Originally posted by 99explorer5.0
I just got off the phone with the CEO of mobil 1 and he was nice enough to take time off of his busy schedule to tell me that it is still 100% synthetic .... case closed .... have a nice day .... now you guys can move on with your lives.

ROTFLMAO.

 

[peterdaniel66]

ok forget the oil thing i wanna know where you got the dancing banana icon woooooooohoooooooo!!!!

 

[fireftr]

motor oils

Big E....You determine the quality of a filter by the amount of filtering material in it after you witness it being crushed? Come on, you can't be serious. Ever think about the "quality" of the filter medium, or the construction of the filter, or even the number and size of the holes in it? Didn't think so. Ever buy a packaged product where one brand has more than the other? Does that mean its better than the one with less? NOPE. There's a lot that goes into the construction of a filter. Obviously, the cheaper off brand one will not perform as well as the name brand one, because they use cheaper construction and materials. Also, some motors are sensitive to the filter being used as to keeping the pressure up to a recommended level. Newer engines use different, more exotic metals than years ago. ALL these things need to be considered when choosing an oil and filter for your car. You can't compare what is used in a new Vette and a 10 year old
Explorer. Change your oil and filter at a reasonable mileage,use name brands, and keep the level up for long lasting, trouble-free driving. Simple, huh?