Mobil 1 Ran A Chevy Silverado For 500k Miles To Test Its New ‘Annual Protection’ Motor Oil: Video
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With its new “Annual Protection” motor oil, Mobil 1 is claiming that vehicle owners can go up to 20,000 miles or one full year – whichever comes first – without changing their oil. It’s a bold claim, and one that is backed up by a rigorous testing regimen that, it turns out, included running a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for 500k simulated miles on a dynamometer using a 20k-mile oil change schedule, and then breaking down the engine to check for excessive wear.
Half-a-million miles is a lot for a light-duty passenger vehicle, even when it’s following a more typical 5k- or 6k-mile oil change interval with synthetic motor oil. But after so many miles with such a long oil change interval, surely the Silverado must have suffered some serious wear on some engine internals, right?
Well, no. Mobil 1 pulled apart the 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 in its 500k-mile Silverado to check the condition of its constituent parts, and found no signs of excessive wear. The engine even outlasted the transmission, which had to be replaced at around 300k miles, and it suffered no sludge buildup or carbon deposits along the way. Wear metals like copper and iron were also within limits by the end of Mobil 1’s testing.
Partly, this is a testament to the Chevrolet Silverado‘s trusty pushrod V8, and partly, it’s a testament to the efficacy of Mobil 1’s Annual Protection motor oil, which has been specially formulated for high-mileage oil change intervals.
Granted, Mobil 1’s dyno testing used a highway mile cycle, and as we all know, highway miles are generally far less trying on a motor than an equivalent distance in city driving. Even still, it’s an impressive feat that, after so much use, the Chevrolet Silverado’s 5.3L V8 was still humming along, happy as a clam.
Watch the video above from Engineering Explained for an in-depth look at all the testing that went into validating Mobil 1 Annual Protection. (Skip ahead to about the 18:38 mark for the Chevrolet Silverado.)
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For the past 13 years, I’ve been changing the oil in my 2001 Tahoe once a year using Amsoil Signature Series Synthetic and Amsoil EaO oil filter – the pairing is good for one year or 25k miles. Over 170k miles with no issues, just smooth running. Mobil is a day late and dollar short. I’d never use their oil.
I bought a 2000 Silverado LT with a 5.3 new. I got rid of it after 16 years and 429k. I only used Mobil 1. The engine was still strong, and I never replaced any engine components. I only had to replace the battery and alternator once. My new truck is a 2016 Silverado High Country with the 6.2 liter. I’m using Mobile 1 Extended Performance. I ran it to 12k, and sent a sample into Blackstone Labs. They said I could run it to 14k if I wanted.
I have a 2009 Silverado 5.6 l engine. Been running Walmart 5W30 from day one, now on 273465 mi. With no problems.
Not changing your oil for a year is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard of that’s just like committing engine suicide.
Update on my 2011 Express 2500 van I know have 708514 miles on her she still runs like a kitten no engine noise and no no let me repeat that no oil consumption now there is one caveat I do use the XP wix filter always have change my oil according to the meter.I’d like to hear from some more guys that are doing this I love mobile 1 5 w 30 full synthetic, . Period ?
I got 515 000 km on a 04 silverado. I only use mobil 1 high mileage. Doesnt burn oil or leak
I now have 713000 MI on my 2011 Chevy Express 2500 cargo van. Uses no oil is very quiet runs like a top. I use no additives only Mobil 1 5 w 30 regular synthetic oil.