I have been doing a little research on oil. Most of you guys dish out the $$ for Mobil 1 and I have been using nothing but Havoline. (around $1 a quart) I happened to research the oil ratings and found something that alarmed me. API ratings that start with "S" such as SH, SJ are for "spark" engines. API has a rating "C" that is for "compression" engines. I went to the local auto parts store and started to look at my Havoline. It has no "C" rating. I looked at all the others including Mobil 1. NONE of the oil at the store had the "C" rating.
According to my Chilton's...."only oils designated "SE" should be used...." "...in addition the oil must qualify for a "CC" rating.....do not use oils deginated only "SE" or only "CC". Both designations must appear together"

Take a look at the back of your oil bottle. I'm sure none of us would have made it this long if the oil was not acceptable.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

All Mobil 1 oils are CH rated, I think. You want the "Truck and SUV one anyway for diesels (CJ-4 or CI-4 rated, whatever the latest one is) since it's really relabeled Mobil Delvac 1.

The current crop of Mobil 1 may be labeled only for spark ignition engines -- I've not checked. If you do use it, I'd avoid the 5W and 0W weights, they are probably too light for diesel use.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

psfred: the majority of synthetic oils designed specifically for diesels (Delvac-1, Chevron, Rotella T, Castrol etc.) have 5W-40 grade.


- The "Mobil" brand (no 1) is non-synthetic, and has 2 different types:

o Mobil oil (with API Sx) for gasoline cars only, such as Mobil Drive and Clean.
o Mobil oil (with both API Sx and API Cx) for both gasoline and LIGHT-DUTY or HEAVY diesel cars, such as Mobil Delvac Super 1300.


- The "Mobil-1" brand is synthetic, and it ALWAYS has both API Sx and API Cx
specs, and all Mobil-1 oils can be used for both gasoline and diesel cars. However, there are some restrictions:

o Mobil-1 oil (non Truck/SUV) is for both gasoline and LIGHT-DUTY diesel cars (i.e. Mercedes diesels, VW TDI etc.). It has API Sx and API CF/CF4.

o Mobil-1 oil (Truck/SUV) is the same as Mobile Delvac-1 oil, and can be used for both gasoline and LIGHT or HEAVY-DUTY diesel cars (i.e. big rigs etc.). It has API Sx and API CF/CF4/CG4/CH4/CI4 etc.

Nowdays, all oils (synthetic or non-synthetic) that have API Cx specs will always satisfy at least **some** API Sx specs because oils for diesel are more sophisticated than oils for gasoline (in terms of additives.)

Eric