Gulf formula GMX 5w-30

[Jetronic]

anybody know anything about this oil?

I found it on the Daimler MB229.5 list.

It's hard to link to a PDF file but the latest data sheet I found is from May 2015 and lists the following:

Meets the following Specifications 5W-30
ACEA A3/B4,
VW 502 00, 505 00
GM-LL-A-025
GM-LL-B-025

Has the following Approvals
API SL
MB-Approval 229.5

Typical Properties

Viscosity @ 100 ºC, cSt 11.5
Viscosity Index 170
Flash Point, ºC 234
Pour Point, ºC -42
TBN, mg KOH/g 10.1
Density @ 15ºC, Kg/l 0.856
Sulphur, % wt 0.281
Phosphorus, % wt 0.096
Sulphated Ash, % wt1.25
May 2015

When fed into the Harman Index calculator, I get a 0.9429 back

That's either an extremely high index, or the oil doesn't actually have an HTHSv of 3.5. Either or both are possible.

It's a GrIII synthetic.

 

[Benito]

This seems like the holy grail!

Thin MB229.5 approved oil with reasonably good VI.

And an almost perfect Harman Index. It could be Shannow's and Caterham's secret love child.

I wonder if any UK members have used it. It's not even that expensive.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: Benito
And an almost perfect Harman Index. It could be Shannow's and Caterham's secret love child.

I for one would use it...

5W30 A3/B4 is the large part of my stash these days, and that one looks good.

 

[Jetronic]

I'm gonna contact Gulf Belgium. I think they only distribute fuels, but who knows.... otherwise there's Gulf Holland aswell.

 

[CircleLcivic]

I've used Gulf's "Formula G" 5W-40 before. Seemed like I was buying a budget oil, but only because of the cheap(ish) price. I can buy oils from their service stations here in the UK (of which there aren't that many) or from Opie Oils at good prices.

Here's a link to a PDF...
Gulf-Formula-XLE-5w-30

Product data for all oils...
Product data, Passenger Car Motor Oils

 

[Jetronic]

Opieoils seems to carry the low saps version of this oil

Gulf Formula GVX

 

[Jetronic]

this is what I found on the GVX oil:

Density @15°C kg/m3 ASTM D4052 843
Kin. Viscosity @40°C mm2/s ASTM D445 69.8
Kin. Viscosity @100°C mm2/s ASTM D445 11.6
Viscosity index ASTM D2270 169
Viscosity CCS@-30°C, max cP ASTM D2983 6600
Flash Point COC, min °C ASTM D92 >201
Pour Point °C ASTM D97 -42
Total Base Number mgKOH/g ASTM D2896 6.6
Sulphated Ash %Wt ASTM D874 0.68

and from the MSDS
Hydrogenated polydecene, : 15 - 25 % synthetic base oil
Distillates (petroleum), : 45 - 65 hydrotreated heavy paraffinic

so a group3/PAO mix

My car requires a mid-saps oil like this... I like it actually and will try to find some tommorow

I like the starting tbn for a mid saps oil, mobil 1 ESP 5w30 only has 5.4 according to blackstone. No idea what the tbn for Shell Helix Ultra ECT 5w30 is, but the KV is higher than the Gulf, especially at 40°C and likely below that temperature until well below freezing (lower VI).

 

[Jetronic]

this is what I found on the GVX oil:

Density @15°C kg/m3 ASTM D4052 843
Kin. Viscosity @40°C mm2/s ASTM D445 69.8
Kin. Viscosity @100°C mm2/s ASTM D445 11.6
Viscosity index ASTM D2270 169
Viscosity CCS@-30°C, max cP ASTM D2983 6600
Flash Point COC, min °C ASTM D92 >201
Pour Point °C ASTM D97 -42
Total Base Number mgKOH/g ASTM D2896 6.6
Sulphated Ash %Wt ASTM D874 0.68

and from the MSDS
Hydrogenated polydecene, : 15 - 25 % synthetic base oil
Distillates (petroleum), : 45 - 65 hydrotreated heavy paraffinic

so a group3/PAO mix

My car requires a mid-saps oil like this... I like it actually and will try to find some tommorow

I like the starting tbn for a mid saps oil, mobil 1 ESP 5w30 only has 5.4 according to blackstone. No idea what the tbn for Shell Helix Ultra ECT 5w30 is, but the KV is higher than the Gulf, especially at 40°C and likely below that temperature until well below freezing (lower VI).

 

[CircleLcivic]

No they sell both...
http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-79207-gulf-formula-gmx-5w-30-fully-synthetic-engine-oil.aspx
http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-60131-gulf-f...w-mercedes.aspx
(I don't work for them, in case you're wondering).