I just got done with my track day this weekend and is doing my first oil change on my 997. I have heard some negative things about mobil 1 0w40 oil, and is leaning towards Castrol 5w40. Any recommendations?

 

From what I understand, 0w-40 and 5w-40 have the same viscosity when hot, but 0w-40 will have a lower viscosity when you first start your car, which I believe should help lubricate your engine faster than the 5w oil would. Porsche recommends 0w-40, so that's what I went with. If you live in a hot climate 5w-40 would be OK, or you could use it in the summer months and (for those that live in colder climates) switch to 0w-40 in winter.

 

Thanks for the info! reps to you I have spend the last 5 hours reading about IMS failures and I have decided to take LN Engineering's advice and go with MOTUL 8100 5W40 X-cess Synthetic Engine Oil

 

For what it is worth, my dealer is putting in 5w-40 Castrol synthetic oil these days into cars in for service. I've always been a fan of Mobile 1 synthetic oil, but the pricing is usually much higher than other synthetics of the same viscosity. I just keep an eye out for sales and stock up when the pricing is good.

 

I'm also a fan of Mobile 1 -- I guess people like whatever they have been using over the years. I find that 1 qt. bottles of Mobil 1 0w-40 are more affordable at W**mart, but you have to ask for it since they don't put it on the shelves.

 

The oil question always brings out the opinions. I use only Mobile 1. That's what Porsche recommends, that's what the preponderance of Porsche driver's use and what almost every Porsche maintained vehicle uses. Can't argue with the overwhelming majority of P drivers. Although, some still do.

 

This is an article authored by LN Engineering, a highly regarded designer and manufacturer of aftermarket Porsche engine components and related . Read it closely and make up your own mind. Although the title says it's for air-cooled Porsche motors, it contains lots of info on the water-cooler variety too. There are better alternatives than Mobil 1, particularly for track applications. LN maintains the formulation has changed in over the past several years and not for the better. I am switching to the new Joe Gibbs DT 40 product. I used to think all name-brand oils were about the same but have been convinced otherwise by the test data. Best,

http://www.lnengineering.com/oil.html

 

 

No doubt the guys at LN Engineering know their stuff. But if an engine problem does occur, and it needs to be warrantied by PCNA or an indy warranty company, I feel that I am on safer ground with Mobil 1 as the oil. Oil samples are usually requested when engine warrranty work is required.

For air cooled motors, I know zinc is important and Mobil 1 is not the preferred solution.

 

That is correct although there are a number of oils that are Porsche approved that outperform Mobil 1 in testing. There's a list of several of them in the article. Motul 300V, which used to be LN's preferred choice before the release of DT40, is Porsche approved. Best,

 

just because mobil one has deep enough pockets to forge lucrative partnerships/relationships, doesnt mean it's the "best".

yep. late model porsches seem to have at least a few other (well documented?) causes of engine failures besides "bad oil". besides, i'm sure that in the case when an engine running a non-P-approved oil fails, the professional/scientific argument could be made that a "better" oil was being used.

 

Agree that Mobil 1 is not the best. But I would not want to be in the position to argue with the gods who want to deny a claim that the oil I used was better. Only can imagine the energy necessary to win that one.

 

Just be aware that Motul 300 v is a racing oil and requires frequent change out (ie after each race). It is also ridiculously expensive as befitting race motors. For road going longer term oil fills (1-2x/year) use the 8100 x-cess in a 5-40.

 

Castrol full synthetic oil is highly rated and some believe it to be a superior oil to Mobil 1's current offerings. With that said, ask 6 other people and you might get 6 different opinions.

 

I use Redline but you can't really go wrong with a true synthetic and following a recommended or more frequent schedule.

I thought I read a while back that Exxon was going to stop funding for the Mobil-1 decal advertising program. Is it still on 2010s or 2011s?