Well, it's the oil.....

[akauth]

I had an issue where I thought that my oil reading were lower than I was comfortable with after putting in Mobil 1 5w30 (vs the Mobil 1 10w30 I had in there) and AMSOil's largest filter that fits the Tundra (SDF15). Previously, I had the recommended filter, the SDF57. The SDF15 is more than twice the size.

My new low reading when idling was only *halfway* between the L (lowest possible mark) and the first mark (1/4). Previously, the lowest it had gotten ever (even in the hottest weather) was the first mark (1/4) and actually a little above that.

I also noticed that the engine doesn't quite run a smoothly as it did. I'm used to it already now, so I can no longer feel it, but there is a touch more vibration in the floor boards than there was with the 10w30. You'd never notice it though unless you drove over the same roads every day so you know what it "should" feel like. I thought I underfilled something at first and had to double check before I did any damage.

I figured that it was the huge oil filter that was causing the pressure drop more than the thinner oil (after all, it's supposed to be 30 weight at hi temp). I didn't want to do any damage to the engine by being "out of spec", so this morning I left the 5w30 Mobil 1 in and just swapped out the oil filter to the factory filter (I had a handful on hand since I don't use them and use Amsoil filters instead).

I was amazed at how dirty the oil is on the "dirty" side of the filter vs the "clean" side in only 100 miles or so! I could barely see through about a half cup of it in a plastic sandwich bag. It wasn't even 100 miles and I keep my oil clean.

Turns out that with Toyota factory filter (literally the factory filter, you can't normally get them through a dealer but I got a bunch when I bought the vehicle after I found a dealer that carried the factory original filter vs the one you normally get from "parts"), the oil pressures is the same as with the much, much larger AMSOil filter and 5w30 oil. So the larger (it's huge) filter has no consequence on pressure. It would just be a superior filter to use in terms of dirt capacity.

So going to 5w30 oil (well, mobil 1's *new* generation of 5w30 oil) vs their older generation 10w30 will drop the pressure by 1/2 of a "mark on the guage" at least (1/8 of the total reading). It's actually is almost a little more than "half a mark" that is lost in pressure when "fully heated" - at cold (70 degree) temps it's the same. I never ran mobil1 5w30 before in the engine so I can't compare to their older oil.

Personally, unless I see at least a 1-2 mpg increase in gas mileage, I'm going back to the larger Amsoil filter (SDF15) in conjunction with Mobil 1 10w30 oil. I think it's the best combination.

Previously, I'd say that someone was crazy if they told me that they could feel the difference in vibration on an engine from 5w30 to 10w30 (I mean, come on!!!), but after feeling it myself, I guess I'd have to hold my tongue. There is definitely a difference!

Or at least there is a difference in Mobil 1's new oil, we'll see if it goes back to normal when I put their new 10w30 back in. One thing I will have to say, "Boy, that Mobil 1 5w30 oil is darn slippery stuff though!!

I wonder, has anyone ever benchmarked the marks on the oil pressure gauge vs psi? For example, does L represent 5 psi, the first mark 20, the second mark 40, and the third mark 60 (or something like that).

The minimum required oil psi at idle is slightly less than 5 psi.

Alan

[SATundra]

Very interesting Alan. My guess would have been the filter, but hey live and learn.

My first fill up with the Mobil 1 I used the 10W-30. Then I switched to there 5W-30. I didn't "see" any REAL changes in oil pressure. Well, it did drop just a little. But I sure did notice a difference in the motor when I originally switched from the dino to the synthetic oil. My truck smoothed out AND quitted down. The little bit of valve clatter that was there before disappeared almost all together with the syn oil. PLUS I'm gettin at least 1-2 more MPG than before.

I must add though that I have NOT tried Mobils "new generation" syn oil yet, maybe thats where the difference lies. Make sure to let us know what you find out.

SATundra

[Buzzard]

Whats this "new generation oil?" How is it different fron Mobil1 syn? Does it cost more? Inquiring minds want to know.---Buzz

[muckraker]

Just dropped my truck off at the dealer to have the oil changed- 10K checkup. Beginning today, I'm putting the Mobil One synthetic in. Not sure what weight. Can't wait. Ran Castrol Syntec in my MR2 for years. Am firmly convinced it helped prolong the engine life. After checking out this site I heard enough about Mobil 1 to want to give it a try.


Also having them look at the brakes. Nothing major, and nothing to be concerned about, just want it on record early on that there may be the beginning of a problem.

Funny part is I had to tell the guy with the clipboard there was a TSB. He told me "only for the RAV4". I then explained (politely) that no, it had been an ongoing problem since the Tundra was introduced in 2000 and there was a TSB. He double checked with a manager who backed me up. This is not a dealer rant or a brake rant, honest. I'm just amused. "Only for the RAV4"- sheesh.

[akauth]

Originally posted by Buzzard
Whats this "new generation oil?" How is it different fron Mobil1 syn? Does it cost more? Inquiring minds want to know.---Buzz

I still have a little of the old 10w30 but had to buy the new stuff when I went to 5w30. It's replacing the old stuff. You'll get it automatically as the old stock sells out.

Here's a link to the new Mobil 1 with Supersyn .

It's probably just new additives. I kind of got "caught" in the middle of pulling the filter off (didn't use a drain pan at all) and there was more oil there than I thought was going to come out so I had to hold onto the filter for while with a plastic bag to let it drain into the bag. It would have been like water if the motor was warm, but it wasn't so I had to wait as I couldn't set it down.

It's slippery stuff. More slippery than regular oil, that's very noticable. More than the old stuff, too subjective for me to feel for sure. Mobil 1 is great oil nonetheless.

Alan

[SATundra]

Originally posted by Buzzard
Whats this "new generation oil?" How is it different fron Mobil1 syn? Does it cost more? Inquiring minds want to know.---Buzz

Buzzard I believe that Mobil came out with this stuff a short time ago. It is what I would call "this years model of oil", hence new generation. But I also believe it is more than just that by itself. I don't remember if the GF rating went from 4 to 5 (or at least up). But I do remember the last time I went to Wal-Mart you could look at the bottles of oil and could tell that "that" was the new stuff and that "that" was the old stuff. The bottles say "new generation" on them.

Surely someone else can explain it better than I can.

Muckraker I think you will like the difference between the dino and the syn. Watch for a MPG increase, I track EVERY tank in my truck.

SATundra

[KLS]

Here's ExxonMobil's blurb:

"The most significant improvement in the Mobil 1 formula is the SuperSyn™ anti-wear system. This proprietary additive system has astounding protective properties. Instead of breaking down during extreme high-stress, high-temperature conditions, the SuperSyn™ anti-wear system actually excels under these conditions.

"Racers' Requests
"SuperSyn™ was developed by ExxonMobil® researchers several years ago, but its use in Mobil 1 initially came about as a result of requests from the drag-racing community. NHRA "funny cars" have supercharged engines fueled with nitro-methane, which produce upwards of 5,000 horsepower for very brief periods of time — just long enough to get the car down the quarter-mile drag strip. As you can imagine, the internal pressures and strains on the engine's moving parts are tremendous, and engine failure is common.

"Using an experimental Mobil 1 formulation with the addition of the SuperSyn™ system, the drag racers found that engine bearings and other lubricated parts were lasting longer. In fact, in one case where an "over-fueled" engine literally blew apart, the connecting rod bearings were deformed by the incredible pressure but the Mobil 1 motor oil still held up!

"Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ was also used in NASCAR race cars under super-heated racing conditions, and it provided amazing performance and protection.

"Ultimate Protection
"Realizing that SuperSyn™ could add an extra element of protection to road-going passenger cars, ExxonMobil engineers began the development of a new formulation of Mobil 1. Combined with a proprietary additive system, the SuperSyn™ anti-wear system offers a strong line of defense against engine wear during everyday driving or even in extreme situations."
http://www.mobil1.com/supersyn/index.jsp

ILSAC GF-3 is the current standard, along with API service category SL.

Ken

[Buzzard]

Originally posted by KLS
Here's ExxonMobil's blurb:

"The most significant improvement in the Mobil 1 formula is the SuperSyn™ anti-wear system. This proprietary additive system has astounding protective properties. Instead of breaking down during extreme high-stress, high-temperature conditions, the SuperSyn™ anti-wear system actually excels under these conditions.

"Racers' Requests
"SuperSyn™ was developed by ExxonMobil® researchers several years ago, but its use in Mobil 1 initially came about as a result of requests from the drag-racing community. NHRA "funny cars" have supercharged engines fueled with nitro-methane, which produce upwards of 5,000 horsepower for very brief periods of time — just long enough to get the car down the quarter-mile drag strip. As you can imagine, the internal pressures and strains on the engine's moving parts are tremendous, and engine failure is common.

"Using an experimental Mobil 1 formulation with the addition of the SuperSyn™ system, the drag racers found that engine bearings and other lubricated parts were lasting longer. In fact, in one case where an "over-fueled" engine literally blew apart, the connecting rod bearings were deformed by the incredible pressure but the Mobil 1 motor oil still held up!

"Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ was also used in NASCAR race cars under super-heated racing conditions, and it provided amazing performance and protection.

"Ultimate Protection
"Realizing that SuperSyn™ could add an extra element of protection to road-going passenger cars, ExxonMobil engineers began the development of a new formulation of Mobil 1. Combined with a proprietary additive system, the SuperSyn™ anti-wear system offers a strong line of defense against engine wear during everyday driving or even in extreme situations."
http://www.mobil1.com/supersyn/index.jsp

ILSAC GF-3 is the current standard, along with API service category SL.

Ken

Thanks for the info-------Did the price go up?---Buzz

[SATundra]

Originally posted by Buzzard

Thanks for the info-------Did the price go up?---Buzz

Nope!

[muckraker]

I can't wait to get my truck back! Never thought I'd get this excited about an oil change.