Virgin Mobil "System-S" Synthetic 5W40 Analysis

[millerl]

I thought I'd share a recent VOA of Mobil System-S Full Synthetic 5W40 motor oil. This is the European oil that Volvo uses with their current 20,000km oil change intervals (no filter swap between oil changes.) This service schedule and oil is used for all current models of Euro-spec Volvos.

Iron 1
Boron 2
Silicon 4
Sodium 11
Calcium 1487
Magnesium 860
Phosphorus 763
Zinc 829
(All other values = 0)

SUS Vis @210 = 72.4
Flashpoint = 425
TBN = 15.0

Oil analysis performed by Blackstone Labs on 6 Jan 03.

This oil is very expensive here in Europe (Euro 15.32/liter) and appears to be different than Mobil-1.

Enjoy...

 

[Patman]

Nice TBN, but where's the moly? Is it really zero? Strange they'd leave it out in their formulations over there, but use it here.

Could moly really be detrimental to long drain intervals?

[ January 09, 2003, 04:32 PM: Message edited by: Patman ]

 

[Toy4x4]

Since the M1 0w40 is here in the US, will it be available here?

 

[dragboat]

I think it is a group III oil they make overseas from past reading

 

[millerl]

The local Volvo dealers insist it is a "full synthetic" and it is even more expensive than the Mobil-1 they used to use. With the Mobil-1, they used 15,000km service intervals.

As far as lacking moly, I double-checked the analysis, and for sure, no moly.

I sent a copy of it to Terry for fun. We'll see if he has any insight...

 

[Terry]

I "think" this stuff is the formula I want Mobil to market here. It is a full synthetic oil using the SS esters at a level that allows for racing performance, kind of like the older rally formula only found in europe. Uses no moly because it needs none, but it ain't cheap.....

How many of you would pay $15 to $16 US for a qt of this ?

Note the very low adds and super high TBN, no boron, good flashpoint, lots of Mg at 900 ppm.

This would be a similar base to the real racing stuff Penske and others use,they would also load other aspects.

Wish George CLS could comment on this, I understand if you cannot publicly.

 

[MolaKule]

I think it's more like:

"Gee, since we make most of our Super-Duper esters and third generation PAO's, they are cheaper than the moly additive."

No kidding, moly additves (especially the MoTDC)
are not cheap.

 

[G-MAN]

Molakule,

My apologies. In another thread I mistakenly attributed Terry's comments about this oil to you.

The only data sheet I've been able to find on this oil is from the Mobil site in Germany. Now, my German is a little rusty, but it sure looks like this is a synthetic blend oil from the spec sheet. Mobil Syst S 5w40 spec sheet.

 

[MolaKule]

Anything is possible, but I took the reading to mean a blend of synthetic oils,
which jives with the paper which lists three esters, MPE/TME/DPE.

Let me take a closer look at the German .pdf file.

 

[LubeRube]

It says in the first sentence that it is an attractive alternative to a full synthetic oil. In the title and elsewhere it states that it is composed of synthetic components. So it must have some conventional base oils.

 

[MolaKule]

Satterfi posted this on another thread in the section for Car and Truck Oils:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=001190

"Babel Fish does.

Babel Fish

Here's the translation of the meaningful part.

Description Mobilely S 5W-40 syst is an attractive alternative to full-synthetic engine oils. Mobilely S 5W-40 syst lubricates the engine reliably and fast with the cold weather starting and forms a load-carrying oil film with high engine temperatures and loads. It protects so the engine under all operating conditions reliably against wear. Mobilely S 5W-40 syst makes a contribution for fuel saving and exceeds the quality criteria of conventional mineral engine oils by its synthetic components by far.

Characteristic/advantages · oil composition and flow behavior at low temperatures (SAE 5W) reduce the engine friction. That means: More easily cold weather starting and fuel economy · outstanding engine cleanliness · optimal protection of the engine from wear, also under strongly changing temperatures and load conditions · outstanding suitably in the stop & Go-enterprise · reduced oil consumption due to its low evaporation inclination · catalyst-suitably and."

"Application Mobilely S 5W-40 syst is suitable for petrol and diesel engines of all manufacturers in passenger vehicles, delivery vans and minibuses with and without superchargers. It is particularly co-ordinated with the climatic conditions dominant in Europe."

[ January 16, 2003, 12:19 AM: Message edited by: MolaKule ]

 

[MolaKule]

I am also posting this on the "PAO and ester" thread.

I don't think this oil (the Mobil sys S 5W40) is the full synthetic oil their paper(s) were alluding to.

They have tested a number of 5W40 formulations, but have never mentioned
a "blended" oil in all of their public forrays.

 

[G-MAN]

quote:

---

Originally posted by MolaKule:
It now appears to be a majority Group III base oil with PAO and Ester cpmonents.

---

Sorta makes you wonder why this oil would be more expensive in Europe than Mobil 1, and why Volvo would use it instead of Mobil 1 for its extended drain interval.

 

[MolaKule]

It now appears to be a majority Group III base oil with PAO and Ester cpmonents.

 

[dragboat]

quote:

---

Originally posted by G-Man II:

Originally posted by MolaKule:
It now appears to be a majority Group III base oil with PAO and Ester cpmonents.

---

Sorta makes you wonder why this oil would be more expensive in Europe than Mobil 1, and why Volvo would use it instead of Mobil 1 for its extended drain interval.

[/QUOT]

Dunno ? Might be more expensive just because it comes from a Dealership and extened drain? Mobil just refired up a plant over ther for production of Group III' bases and they might have hit the sweet spot with the additive selection for this blend ? I suppose a good Ester in it would raise the price as well.

 

[Giles]

European nations typically have high taxes on Gasoline, I wonder if this also applies to motor oil? If so that could contribute to the high costs.

 

[MolaKule]

I think they have to charge more for oils in Europe because their production costs are higher there.

Mobil was supposed to have come out with two Super-Duper, Full Synthetic 5W40 oils; a Diesel oil (Delvac 1) and a passenger car only oil for the NA market.

I don't keep up with the European market; too many disgusting and socialist Frenchmen and Germans running around shaking their fists at we Americans.

[ January 17, 2003, 12:38 PM: Message edited by: MolaKule ]

 

[MolaKule]

Regarding my previous post on Mobil Super-Duper oils:

Redline may have brought the Super-Duper 5W40 full synth to the market before Mobil??

[ January 19, 2003, 12:12 AM: Message edited by: MolaKule ]

 

[millerl]

For what it's worth...the European M1 that Volvo used was only for 15,000km change intervals. This new System-S is for 20,000km.

Doesn't matter to me...I can't afford to pay European prices for oil. I buy my oil at the Base Exchange (M1 10W30) and change it myself. Much cheaper, and I change it at 5,000 mile intervals just to prevent problems.

Reference the taxes...yup, everything in Europe is taxed to the max. Germany still charges their citizens the 10% church tax that Mr. Mustache put in place in the late 1930's. Oh, and plenty of fists waiving in the air, these days especially!

 

[sprintman]

Molakule
Yes the RL 5W40 has me intrigued. Excellent analysis figures posted here recently, just about the best I've seen but RL say same makeup as 10W40? Could change from 5W to 10W make that much difference??