Dealer Switched from Castrol to Mobil Oil - Downgrade?

Don Enderton · 2007-05-10T17:40:40+00:00

My local Honda dealer, where I get my oil changed, switched from Castrol to Mobil oil. Also, the paperwork and windshield sticker no longer indicate the grade or weight (should be API service SJ "energy conserving" oil, SAE 5-30 viscosity, for my particular year and model).I had an impression from years ago that Castrol was considered a superior brand. Is that still true, and if so, why?The service manager at Mel Rapton Honda in Sacramento, CA, says one reason he switched is price. Mobil is cheaper. And he assures me it meets all the factory specs, although I can't verify that because I can't see the label for what they put in my car.He also says that all Hondas come with Mobil oil in the crankcase from the factory, whether in the US or Japan. Is that true?OK, so Mobil is cheaper. Assuming the product is marked as meeting the factory specs for my car, is it good enough?I am not asking here about synthetic oil; please limit responses to conventional oil products only.And please, I hope to hear informed and expert knowledge here, not speculation and guesses. Thank you.- Don

May 10, 2007 24 Replies

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Elmo P. Shagnasty 19 years ago

No. He's saying to cross post, just like what you outlined in 3) above.

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z 19 years ago

In the most recent oil test, Consumer Reports famously/infamously didn't see any differences. But..... in the test before that, decades ago, Castrol came out on top, followed by Valvoline Turbo (the top Valvoline at the time). This ranking matched what most of the serious car guys I knew ranked them as. I was kind of surprised at the time, i assumed the big names like Quaker State must be the best. Har har har, I was young then.

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Grumpy AuContraire 19 years ago

I think that you have to take Consumer Reports test results with a grain of salt as they have been exposed with regards to some questionable testing/rating processes.

Often, it's best to go with your experienced gut...

(Add to the crap list Bosch and Champion sparkplugs)

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