Did I mess up? Oil question
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Did I mess up? Oil question
Hey all. Changed the oil in my z06. Used Mobil 1 5W30 as the owner manual said. Made sure it was DEXOS then bought it. Changed the oil, added oil and then realized that the bottles say ESP European Car Formula…. Is it still ok to use or did I mess up? Thanks all.
#3
Le Mans Master
My understanding is that it may actually provide a little better engine protection, but is harder on the cats. I would be very surprised if one go around of the Euro spec oil would do much damage to the cats, but I wouldn't continue to use it.
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LagunaSecaZ06 (07-04-2023)
#5
The differences between the oils is pretty small. Won't be a problem for 1 cycle. The whole euro oil will kill cats is bs. That rumor really was born out of the much longer service intervals that euro cars go through coupled with an age concern. Basically don't expect 10+ year old cars with tons of mileage, hard abuse, long service intervals to have "fresh working catalytics". Especially if the engine was potentially burning oil or had valve coking happen due to engine design.
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Devereaux (06-30-2023)
#6
Drifting
it's just marketing BS
I mean european car formula? What does that even mean?
Their engines have reciprocating pistons that seal in a bore with rings
they have cam lobes that run on lifters to open and close valves
they have bearings around crankshafts attached to rods
they have catalytic converters
What on earth could possibly be different about that oil other than yet another marketing ploy to make bmw and audi owners think they should buy that oil?
I mean european car formula? What does that even mean?
Their engines have reciprocating pistons that seal in a bore with rings
they have cam lobes that run on lifters to open and close valves
they have bearings around crankshafts attached to rods
they have catalytic converters
What on earth could possibly be different about that oil other than yet another marketing ploy to make bmw and audi owners think they should buy that oil?
#7
Moderator
#8
Safety Car
Leave the oil in the car and use it up. It won't hurt anything. And one oil interval won't damage your cats. Just be sure to pick the intended oil on your next oil change.
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jmorgan3235 (06-15-2023)
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LagunaSecaZ06 (07-04-2023)
#11
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Thanks! I decided to change it out. Spoke to Mobil and for legal reasons they could not confirm that it was OK to leave in for one cycle. With this being such an expensive vehicle for me and being a performance motor, I didn’t want to chance it. I’ll chalk it down as an expensive lesson learned.
Thanks again everyone for their input!
Thanks again everyone for their input!
#13
https://www.mobil.com/en/lubricants/...on/FawEeHNC5/0
For a C7 Z06 it's Mobil 1 Supercar 0W-40. It's pricey for the 10 quarts required, but hey we're driving "Supercars" right!
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Devereaux (06-30-2023)
#14
Drifting
Nothing wrong. you just overpaid for 5w-30 by even getting the "Euro blend". Just more marketing gimmicks. Just get the normal 5-30 next time and call it a day. I have 10-30 in mine now bc thats what was on the shelf when i went to change the oil. Don't overthink it.
#15
Racer
I expect the point everyone here is making is that this car is a performance car BUT usually driven as a regular street car. You will do fine with most Dexos labelled synthetics. I happen to live in Dallas and drive quite quickly on the expressways, so I’ve gone to the Mobile 1 Supercar 0X-40 oil. Cheapest I;ve been able to find it is $10/qt delivered by WalMart. Since you need 10 qts for an oil change, it’s $100 for the oil. Plus filter and labour.
#16
I think the Dexos 2 spec makes a big difference in specific cases, low speed pre ignition and high oil temperature usage. Most of us are adverse to lugging the engine, auto cars certainly wouldn't let that slide for long unless forced to, and manual cars it's absurd to try to cruise at any speed that keeps you basically idle. In terms of high temperatures from say track use, where we see oil temps can hit 300 and subsequently trigger a limp mode, but 260s for oil is pretty common in that situation and any protections to increase vaporization resistance is always good. The dexos 2 spec addresses those scenarios mostly and for the vast majority, those conditions aren't really met. You can cruise all day on a freeway at high speeds, triple digits and still be considered not pushing the engine hard. So a go with the european formula will not be detrimental for a single oil cycle.
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Devereaux (06-30-2023)
#17
Racer
I think the Dexos 2 spec makes a big difference in specific cases, low speed pre ignition and high oil temperature usage. Most of us are adverse to lugging the engine, auto cars certainly wouldn't let that slide for long unless forced to, and manual cars it's absurd to try to cruise at any speed that keeps you basically idle. In terms of high temperatures from say track use, where we see oil temps can hit 300 and subsequently trigger a limp mode, but 260s for oil is pretty common in that situation and any protections to increase vaporization resistance is always good. The dexos 2 spec addresses those scenarios mostly and for the vast majority, those conditions aren't really met. You can cruise all day on a freeway at high speeds, triple digits and still be considered not pushing the engine hard. So a go with the european formula will not be detrimental for a single oil cycle.