Motor Oil

[gfviperman]

Have a 2002 GTS .... 53K miles.

Are we still recommending Mobil 1 or has another taken its place?

Factory Fill was Mobil 1 10/30.

[Bill Pemberton]

We are using 0-40W Shell/Pennzoil Ultra Platinum at the shop.

[gfviperman]

Thanks, Bill.

Didn't know if there was a better mouse trap.

[Bill Pemberton]

At this point with 53K on the motor, looks like you are doing okay. Probably good to just keep on doing what you have been doing, though won't hurt to change.

[Szeszko02GTSGA]

my viper tech uses and recommends Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil 20W50. I believe that the factory started recommending 20w50 after 2002, instead of the 10w30.

[Steve-Indy]

Not exactly...Mobil 1 10W-30 was Viper factory fill through 2004. In 2005, a far superior oil became the factory fill...Mobil 1 0W-40 European Car Formula...for several reasons. This persisted as the factory fill through 2010.

Admittedly, many used Mobil 1 15W-50 in hot climates and for track usage quite successfully in the first four generations of Vipers.

[Viper98912]

I'm running Mobil 1 0W-40

[sparkrn]

I'm running Mobil 1 0W-40

^^^^^^
This seems to be the consensus for Gen 2 cars.

[My98RT10]

I am also running Mobil 1 0w40.

[Blue96GTS]

Me 3 for the 0w-40. 63k miles.

Any oil is better than no oil...

[Steve-Indy]

We have switched our Gen I's, Gen II's, and Gen III Vipers to Mobil 1 OW-40 European Car Formula. These are street driven cars.

Keep in mind that oils are changed in accordance with manufacturers' choices AND in response to legislation. The oil that you THINK you know may not be what it was several years ago. I like to run a Virgin Oil Analysis (VOA) every couple of years so that I have a more accurate baseline with which I can compare the used oil coming out of our cars. A good example of this is the decreasing levels of zinc and phosphorus in Mobil 1 10W-30 over the past 15 years.

[71firebird400]

Some interesting "science" here. Not sure I can vouch for it but the author sure seems confident.

https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/201...-test-ranking/

[FrgMstr]

Keep in mind with the 10W and higher motor oils and the Viper, if you do not allow the oil to warm up before putting your foot in it, you are very likely to collapse the oil filter.

[Steve-Indy]

There are lots of oils out there, some for specific applications...some of which are extreme use such as racing. One should make one's own decisions here.

For street use, I have chosen to ride along with Dodge on our Vipers. However, in the early 2000's I became aware of some worries about the then current factory fill which was Mobil 1 10W-30. First, ALL of the samples that I had tested at Blackstone Labs came back "SUS Viscosity@ 210 degrees F" lower than expected. Second, Porsche recommended against using this oil in their 911 air cooled engines if the ambient temperature was above 86 degrees F. My test samples were from our Vipers, those from Viper friends, and virgin samples...ALL testing a little low on this particular test.

Therefore...and after speaking with some Viper engineers...it was Mobil 1 0W-40 at our house !!

[dave6666]

0W-40 for the last 10 years in my Gen 2.

[mad prof]

5W-40 Shell.

[SnakeWatching]

There are lots of oils out there, some for specific applications...some of which are extreme use such as racing. One should make one's own decisions here.

For street use, I have chosen to ride along with Dodge on our Vipers. However, in the early 2000's I became aware of some worries about the then current factory fill which was Mobil 1 10W-30. First, ALL of the samples that I had tested at Blackstone Labs came back "SUS Viscosity@ 210 degrees F" lower than expected. Second, Porsche recommended against using this oil in their 911 air cooled engines if the ambient temperature was above 86 degrees F. My test samples were from our Vipers, those from Viper friends, and virgin samples...ALL testing a little low on this particular test.

Therefore...and after speaking with some Viper engineers...it was Mobil 1 0W-40 at our house !!

Steve

Do you think this oil temp issue is why Mobil 1 now makes "Extended Performance" 10W-30?

On the back of their "EP" container, they compare Regular Mobil 1 to EP Mobile 1 and show this EP oil as protecting better in High Temps compared to the regular Mobil 1.

[Bill Pemberton]

We use 0-40W in everything at the shop ( except for some guys that track a lot that want a higher viscosity). But Steve Indy knows what he speaks and Vipers have been using 0-40w for years and most who were doing the 10-30W switched over to 0-40W quite a few years ago.

Steve is a studious and knowledgeable Viper Guru, so when he speaketh, always good to listen - imho!

[SnakeWatching]

Just found the full spec sheet from Mobil 1 web site for all of the types they sell.

https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/us...guide-2016.pdf

[Black94rt/10]

Just found the full spec sheet from Mobil 1 web site for all of the types they sell.

https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/us...guide-2016.pdf

Seems like the racing applications use much higher levels of phosphorus and zinc. Also noticed that the M1 0w40 lists higher phos and zinc than then M1 10w30. Interesting...may have to switch the gen1 over to 0w40.

[SnakeWatching]

Seems like the racing applications use much higher levels of phosphorus and zinc. Also noticed that the M1 0w40 lists higher phos and zinc than then M1 10w30. Interesting...may have to switch the gen1 over to 0w40.

Same thought as you (looks like I am going back to store for 0W-40).

I just remember when Mobil 1 first came out, I got a lot of it for free (My relative worked for ESSO/StandardOil/Exxon). It was really thin (10W?? I think) and totally clear (It looked like water). Put it in my VW Rabbit and the engine slowly started to develop oil leaks in several places (so I took it out and put the OEM oil back in and the leaks stopped).

[Steve-Indy]

SnakeWatching...sorry I missed your question. I have no experience with the Mobil 1 EP oils. To answer only one aspect of the question, compare Virgin Oil Analysis samples of the same viscosity grades and look at the SUS Viscosity at 210F and cSt Viscosity at 100C....then, compare used oil samples at similar mileage to see if the viscosity levels hold up. Of course, EP oils have other important additives...all of which exceed my personal needs...and, my knowledge.

[stuntman]

Good read for oil:

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticl...intenance.aspx

I ran Mobil 1 0W40 and am now running 50/50 of M1 0W40 and 15W50 since my car is in Florida and sees occasional track use. For northern guys & cars that won't see a track, i'd run 0W40.


0.02

[GTS Dean]

Admittedly, many used Mobil 1 15W-50 in hot climates and for track usage quite successfully in the first four generations of Vipers.

Me!

[dave6666]

Not exactly...Mobil 1 10W-30 was Viper factory fill through 2004. In 2005, a far superior oil became the factory fill...Mobil 1 0W-40 European Car Formula...for several reasons. This persisted as the factory fill through 2010.

Admittedly, many used Mobil 1 15W-50 in hot climates and for track usage quite successfully in the first four generations of Vipers.

0W-40 in my '01 for the last 40K miles in the 110 degree heat. I'd say it is working.