FAQ

What Does Engine Oil Really Do?

Lubricants secure the functionality of the engine and are considered elements of construction in engine development. Your engine is a complex machine with hundreds of moving parts that operate under a wide range of temperatures and stressors. The oil you select needs to be equally capable of coping with these operating conditions to protect your engine against wear, corrosion, and the build up of dirt and deposits.

What's so good about synthetics?

All engine oils are made of base oils and additives. A synthetic lubricant contains more highly refined base oils than conventional mineral oils, offering you superior protection and performance. Synthetic engine oils provide a variety of benefits that keep your engine running at optimal performance for years, such as help to prevent wear, keep an engine clean, flow easily, maintain viscosity, prevent rust and reduce friction.

What's the difference between a fully synthetic and a semi-synthetic engine oil?

All engine oils are made of base oils and additives. Fully synthetic engine oils contain 100% non-conventional, high-performance fluids. Semi-synthetic engine oils (also called "blends") contain a smaller percentage of these high-performance fluids in combination with conventional mineral oil. Mobil 1 is a fully synthetic motor oil.

Can different synthetic engine oils be mixed together?

Mobil 1 is fully compatible with conventional engine oils, semi-synthetic engine oils and other synthetic engine oils if you need to mix them. However, it is important to note that the superior performance of Mobil 1 will be reduced by diluting it in any way.

What is viscosity and why is it important in motor oils?
Put simply, viscosity refers to the ‘thickness’ of a fluid. ‘Thin’ or low viscosity fluids flow easily – water is a good example. On the other hand, honey is an example of a ‘thick’ high viscosity fluid. However, the viscosity of a fluid isn’t always constant. It changes with temperature. For example, motor oil becomes thicker when cold and thinner when hot. The technology used in engine oils tries to combat this viscosity change to ensure that at high temperatures it remains thick enough to form a protective film on engine parts and at low temperatures it remains thin enough to quickly flow to the critical engine parts.

What does “multigrade” refer to ?

Multigrades are multi-viscosity oils that have been designed to perform over a wider range of temperatures than older ‘monograde’ oils. Multigrade oils are identified by two SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) grade designations e.g. 0W-40. The lower number in front of the ‘W’ indicates the oil’s viscosity in cold temperatures – the lower the number the better the oil’s ability to flow. Similarly, the second part of the viscosity grade indicates the oil’s viscosity in hot temperatures – the higher the number the thicker the oil film.

Is Mobil 1 suited to 'stop-start' driving?

Free-flowing Mobil 1 starts protecting as soon as you start your engine, making it the perfect choice if most of your driving involves short journeys. If most of your driving consists of short journeys - the quick trip to work, the school run, or down to the shops - your engine hardly has time to warm up before it is turned off again. To save engine wear, you need outstanding cold start protection.

In tests, it has been proved that Mobil 1 still flows freely at temperatures as low as negative 40°C and it can reach all moving parts of the engine 10 seconds faster than some conventional oils at start-up. That means Mobil 1 starts protecting your engine straight away, saving it from a great deal of punishment, and saving you money on fuel and maintenance costs. And, of course, it also means more reliable starting, even on the coldest mornings.

Can I use any of the Mobil 1 products in my vehicle, irrespective of its age ?

Since every Mobil 1 product has been formulated to provide exceptional performance and protection, you could use any of our Mobil 1 products with confidence, whatever the age of your vehicle. However, you may not experience all the benefits that could be provided by using a product optimised for your particular age and design of engine. Always consult your owner’s manual to check the recommended specification for your vehicle.

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