I felt compelled to confirm the info about Mobil 1 that Hissman brought to our attention because there is so much info on the internet that contradicts it. It really took some digging but yes I eventually found the inside dirt! Here it is, it goes on for 23 pages: http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=749606&page=0&fpart=1&vc=11svtfan said:
I read most of it and it is quite interesting and dramatic, that is if you're kind of a nerd like me. If you want the cliff notes version: synthetic oils were considered to be of a Group IV or V base stock (non-mineral stock) and another company (Castrol) highly refined a mineral oil (this is called Group III, hydrocracked) and called it a synthetic. Exxon Mobil sued them and lost so now Group III oils can be called synthetics in our country. Here is a good post I found on that oil forum: "I have known for a fact Mobil 1 has been mostly group III basestock as far back as NOV. 2004. And YES this includes the regular Mobil 1 and the EP formula also. Now I know people will ask who I work for, sorry I cant let that out, I have four mouths to feed and I wont jeopardize that. Let (me) make this clear I am not a Mobil hater and they are doing nothing illegal, thanks to Castrol group III is termed a full synthetic."
Now that being said, the man actually who blew the whistle on the Mobil 1 formulation had this to say: "Using Group III is a smart move for a business and not really a betrayal. Oil companies are not selling a formula, they are selling a performance level, and are free to change the formulation anytime they please so long as their claims match the performance level they are selling. To my knowledge EM (Exxon Mobil) has never claimed that their synthetic oils have no Group III (I think many would disagree on this point), only that they are based on “synthetic” base oils including PAOs (Group IV). It would be foolish for a company to take such a definitive stand against a class of chemistry as it closes the door forever on them changing their minds or responding to market trends. The purists have inferred from their statements that they would never use a Group III, perhaps because they wanted to believe it, but EM did nothing wrong in my humble opinion. As for the price, value is determined by each buyer. I am willing to pay more for M1, not because of its composition, but because I respect their history, quality, and reputation. There is value in that name that I will shell out a few more bucks for, just as many people continue to buy the Castrol Group III synthetics."
According to his research it appears that the current formulation of Mobil 1 is a blend of Group III, IV and V base stocks. It is unclear whether or not this current formulation is superior or inferior to any previous formulations but what is clear is that the use of Group III base stock in Mobil 1 reduces cost. However, as we all know, there has been no reduction in the retail prices to reflect this... shocker.
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