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.)
Comments
No problem whatsoever with Mobile One synthetics.
I have been running Mobil One oil in all my Vehicles, Airplane, Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles since 1980 and I rarely change the oil, and that is only after severe duty in the the dusty back roads of the desert areas of the SW. My modus operandi is to break a new vehicle in on regular oil and then switching to Mobil One at 1,500 miles. From then on, I change the filter every 3-5,000 miles and top it off.
My vehicles all have mileage ranges now of 175,000 to 210,000 miles with no issues and excellent compression. My plane gets it oil changed during its Annual.
Let the noise fly
Amsoil has been doing this for decades.
To the best of my knowledge Amsoil actually purchases their base stock oil from Mobil and then adds their own additive package. It’s always been my belief that chemists and engineers at exxon mobil are plenty capable of creating the perfect additive package for the oil they themselves make.
I use Mobil 1 Extended Performance in everything I own including lawnmowers and snowblowers. My guess is this Annual Protection formula is probably the same or close to it.
How is it your knowledge ?? Whenever you ask AMSOIL concerning their formulations the standard answer is ” It’s proprietary”.
But AMSOIL has been offering 25,000 drain intervals since 1972, and it took Mobil 1 till 2017 to offer the same ?
Read the back of Mobil 1’s bottle, if the vehicle is under OEM warranty you are to following the OEM’s drain recommendation. AMSOIL warranties it’s products with it’s own limited warranty.
I have a 5.3 in my truck and with 5,000 ml oil services using a name brand it didn’t last 160,000 and truly had all required service per manufacturer done to it up till then. Was wondering if I could somehow receive that engine disassembled or not doesn’t matter,to replace what i have and will continue to service with Mobil 1.
Wow. Your an idiot
So what failed? An engine maintained that way should last well over 300K or longer.
I’ve been sceptical about switching to synthetic, only cuz I’ve always wondered about the filter life. Thanks, Tre. But I have one more question…Do you use a conventional filter, or is there a filter specific for synthetic oils?
back in 1988 i started to use mobil 1 in my Silverado. i called mobil about extended drain periods and they told me they have taxis with 250,000 miles on the same oil but filter change every 4000 miles. they could not say to do that because of the auto companies warranties. after the factory warranty was up on the Silverado i never changed oil again just a filter every 4000miles and a new quart of mobil 1. i sold the truck a 250,000+ miles and it ran perfectly and was as quiet as the engine in my 2013 Silverado that replaced it.
not changing oil is an incredibly stupid thing to do, and i hope nobody actually reads what you’ve written and thinks it’s a good idea and does it.
I use Mobil one in my Subaru Forester and it now has 373,000 miles on this engine with the only service being a head gasket change at 168,000 which is something the Subaru motor of this vintage is noted for.
But regarding this test, It’s not valid because you need to include weather related stuff like minus 20 degree starts, trailer pulling and multiple stop/go but it still is impressive.
Mike, I have to agree with you, an engine on a Dyno vs everyday use, through weather extreme, pulling loads. I used Mobil 1 synthetic oil and changed oil every 7000 miles, my 03 Silverado 4.8 liter developed a ticking noise on the lifter train after 280,000 miles and got worse. I decided to purchase new lifters and a new cam. After talking with the engine shop, I was told, the cam bearings are probably worn out. I pulled my motor and removed the heads and the valve train appeared to be in excellent condition, note appear….upon further inspection, the two rear cam bearings were worn out and all the rocker arm trunnions were worn out. The main and rods bearings were ok, slightly worn. The bottom of the Piston skirts were scored. I’m a mechanic and I maintain my truck religiously. The motor didn’t burn any oil at all. The valve guides were still in excellent condition, as we’re the seals. I had the motor rebuilt. I have 4300 miles on the rebuilt motor with three oil changes since the rebuilt, I’m running synthetic oil now.
I BELIEVE MOBIL 1 IS GREAT OIL, BUT U FAILED TO MENTION HOW MUCH OIL THE SILVERADO BURNED!
Name brand oil is questionable. I’ve used walmart oil in all my vehicles since I’ve been driving. 30 years. All my vehicles have gone 250k with no problems, Afterwhich I sold them ruining perfectly. Bottom line. All oil has a minimum standard which suffices without the added cost of the”designer” name.
Larry, Silverado didn’t burn any oil between oil changes, but, did burn 1/4 of quart of oil at the second oil change after motor was broken in on rebuilt motor.
My 04 Silverado is currently at 296,000 and still going strong. I haven’t changed the oil in a year and I had to add half a quart last week when I changed the filter. I run synthetic blend high mileage oil from Walmart. And this is in Maine pulling a loaded job trailer most of the time and I average 1000 miles a week during the summer.
I own a 2011 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van 2500 model I have 617,109 miles on it using Mobil 1 full synthetic 5w 30 I have had no engine problems except one valve spring. Regular maintenance yearly for spark plugs and oil changes as needed according to the motor meter. It runs like a clock no noise great power no oil consumption.Floyd Palmquist.
I have been nothing but Mobil One for years.
I have two free oil changes with my new truck but will change it to Mobil One myself.
I have an 01 GMC Sierra 2500 HD that has 330,000 miles on it . Mobile one is great!
I owned a 88 5.0 mustang it was all mobile 1 lubricated engine to differential. had 200 hundred thousand miles on it when I sold it it would still roast the tires with ease. Held compression no problem I run it in my car now Has to the best synthetic oil on the market in my humble opinion.
I have an 2005 Silverado, 5.3 with 441106 miles. The only engine problem was to replace the oil pump as I did have some lifter noise at 335000 miles. I have only used Penzoil 5w30 and now high mileage. Still going strong…
My 2015 Silverado came with synthetic blend installed. Both the dealer and an independent shop have told me GM does not recommend full synthetic for the V6. Seems strange after GM boosting Mobile 1 synthetic for so long. Anyone know the reason behind this ?
They did not recommend it for my Harley or Subaru either but eventually they did.
Does your Silverado have have an oil life feature built into the ECM? If yes, that software is designed for semi synthetic and will give you the change oil light earlier than required. My 2017 F250 is likewise.
I use mobile one extended performance in everything including my lawn mowers,
Have had only good experiences with it.
Yes, the ECM does have can oil life feature. I’ll stick with the GM recommendation since i have a 100k power train warranty.
I switched my 89 gmc 5.7 from Castrol to mobile 1 @ 108,000 miles. Engine blew wide open at 108,400, mechanic said it was because Mobile 1 isn’t near the quality of Castrol Synthetic!!
I’m sorry, but your mechanic is an idiot.
Mobile 1 is SLOP, I use Castrol, my V8 engines have ALL ran over 400,000, and I use Castrol 10w30 and Lucas Oil additive!
I’m sorry, but a quality oil will not require an additive.
For the past 13 years, I’ve been changing my oil once a year using Amsoil Signature Series Synthetic and Amsoil Ea oil filter. Over 170k miles and no issues, just smooth running. Mobil is a day late and a dollar short.
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.