pagiven@drutx.UUCP (09/27/84)
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I have been using Mobil 1 since 1979. I first used it in a 1973
Eldorado 501ci Gas Hog with 63K miles, in an attempt to improve gas
mileage. It went from 14 mpg to 16 mpg without noticeable increase
in oil consumption (1 quart every 4K miles). This was a semi-
controlled experiment in that very careful mileage measurements
were taken 500 miles before and 500 miles after the oil change with
driving conditions (city driving in the summer) approximately the
same.
Since then I have sold the hog and moved to Colorado, with much
colder winters and greater temperature extremes over the year. I
have used Mobil 1 exclusively in my 1981 V6 Buick Regal and 1984
Jeep Cherokee, both cars bought new and switched to synthetic oil
and new filter before gathering 100 miles. Although the Jeep
hasn't had enough miles to judge the product, the Buick has just
turned 75,000 mostly highway miles. Except for 25K mile tune-ups,
no engine work has ever been done or contemplated. So far the
estimated EPA mileage for highway, 31, is usually exceeded with
careful driving, to 33 mpg. I am getting ready to do its third oil
change and filter, using a 25K mile interval. Oil consumption has
been a constant 1 quart per 5K miles. I buy the stuff by the
caseload when the local store here runs a sale, usually for $2.69
per quart. Extrapolating to 100K miles, we have 20 quarts burned
(or leaked), 20 quarts changed yielding 0.0004 quarts per mile.
Given the benefits of lower labor costs of fewer oil changes,
instant starts in the coldest weather, lower parts costs (fewer oil
filters), better gas mileage, less wear and tear on the engine, I
would say for me, using Mobil 1 has been well worth its extra
expense.
An excellent article evaluating synthetic oils was published in the
April 1975 issue of Popular Science.
WARNING: My experience has been with MOBIL 1, a 100% synthetic
oil. I have used no other materials or additives. A friend used a
graphite oil in a synthetic base and had a bad experience. There
are other synthetics out there with which I have had no experience.
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Paul Given {ihnp4, houxe, stcvax!ihnp4}!drutx!pagiven
AT&T Information System Laboratories
11900 N. Pecos, Rm 1B04, Denver 80234 (303)-538-4058
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