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I couldn't find anything about this on here, but there seems to be extensive threads on the BMW forums, Bob the Oil Guy, and a couple others. I tried to compile "facts" and added links to the better ones. There's also a $12/5qt Mobil 1 rebate [link and details provided below], for those that choose to stock up/hoard as a result (Walmart = $25.47-$12 rebate= $13.47/5qt jug) Limit 2
Mobil 1 has reformulated their 0W-40 into 2 separate products (FS and ESP), with the Mobil 1 FS 0W-40 being the one to be used in our GT-R's. On the rear label of the jug, the new formulation is no longer stated to "Meet or exceed the requirements of... Nissan GT-R", along with BMW & Chrysler being removed. You can spot the new formulation easily, as it no longer states approved for BMW on the front label in yellow large font letters, simply stating "Approved for most Mercedes-Benz, VW, Audi & Porsche", along with small white FS letters to the bottom, far right, of the Mobil 1 logo, by the lower portion of handle. They have also drastically decreased their own recommended applications from 7 to 1, simply stating "Is recommended by ExxonMobil for use in applications requiring VW 503 01.", dropping SAAB, 3 FIAT's and 2 OPEL's.
Using the Mobil 1 "Find the Right Oil" tool from their site, it does come up with "Mobil 1 FS 0W-40" as their recommendation for the GT-R, though it has removed the old formulation from their recommendations altogether, and unsure if I should interpret this a true recommendation or not, since the new label does not reflect this. I'd like to see what other people thought on this topic, since it is no longer stated to meet the requirements of the GT-R on the label, and it was the only oil that we are allowed to use in our cars (besides Mobil 1 10W-40, but risk decreased performance). For BMW's, they can switch to German Castrol (BMW manual states Mobil 1 synthetic, while their oil cap states Castrol), we unfortunately aren't given an option.
It was stated in a Bob the Oil Guy forum when comparing the data sheets from the old and new formulations, that this new formulation is about 5-7% thinner and is barely a 40 weight, and will drop to a 30 weight as usage occurs (due to shearing, etc). The BTOG thread (page 4) also stated that the new formulation "Mobil 1 FS 0w-40 that is GTL based is actually VERY similar in viscosity to the original Mobil 1 0w-40 that was PAO-based" [original 0W-40= prior to R35??] and page 1 stating the new FS formulation is "10-20% PAO and 40-70% GTL" The new formulation is supposed to be better in cold weather applications. Some have speculated FS will provide less wear protection.
On page 3 of a Bob The Oil Guy thread of this new formulation, the topic of the GT-R came up, but a definitive answer was not given. http://www.bobistheo...obil_1_FS_0w-40
Explanation From a BMW Thread:
"Mobil has definitely changed the formulation, as the new oil is called M1 FS 0w-40 instead of M1 0w-40. The new oil uses a PAO and GTL (gas-to-liquid) base oil, whereas the old one used a PAO and Visom (Group III) base oil. A specification like LL-01 can't be changed and still keep the same number. They can introduce new ones, which BMW has, but BMW LL-01 will always be the same LL-01. The new reformulated oil doesn't meet LL-01 for whatever reason. If you use the find the right oil feature on the Mobil website, the 0w-40 no longer shows up."
Rebate Info/Time to Stock Up?/Tips
In the meantime, until this is clarified, those that choose to purchase/stock up on the old formulation prior to their next oil change, there's a $12/5qt rebate from Mobil 1 ($15 rebate with filter) until May 31st, limit 2. After rebate, it comes out to $13.47/5qt jug at Wal-Mart
I'd recommend purchasing in-store, rather than Walmart.com (free shipping on 2 jugs, but probably FS due to quick turnaround + cheapest retailer), so you can choose to buy the original 0W-40 formulation if available [Check rear of shelves, as they're bad about rotating stock. I found 3 bottles in the back of the shelf, behind a whole shelf of new FS 0W-40]. Also, remember shelf life per Mobil is 5 years. This week, the Advance Auto Parts store by my house had only the old formulation, while Autozone had only the new FS, so chain warehouse stock seems to play a role as to when it appeared/appears (along with region, individual store stock, and even part of shelf at store)
Mobil 1 $12/5qt or $15/5qt + filter rebate link:
https://apfco.net/se...235W/Home/Entry
Blackstone Analysis on unused Mobil 1 FS 0W-40 (New Formulation):
http://www.bobistheo...FS"#Post4028326
Blackstone Analysis on unused Mobil 1 0W-40 (Old Formulation):
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3001485/1
BMW Thread Link, including direct communication with Mobil:
http://www.bimmerfes...64&postcount=37
Another Bob is the Oil Guy thread:
http://www.bobistheo.../1[/B][/U]
I attached pics of the front/rear labels of the new FS formulation, as well as the rear label of the old bottle for comparison. I got them from another site, since I don't have a bottle of the new oil yet (I don't remember which site, since I've visited many in my attempt to find out the differences.
Quoted from page 1 of the BTOG thread linked above:
"http://pds.mobil.com...1_FS_0W-40.aspx
Dated February, 2016. Of note, still no LL-01 approval. Looks quite different from the outgoing 0w-40:
Approvals:
- API SN, ACEA A3/B3, A3/B4
- MB 229.3, 229.5, VW 502 00/505 00, Porsche A40
Specs:
@ 40ºC .......................................................................70.8
@ 100ºC......................................................................12.9
Viscosity Index..............................................................186
MRV at -40ºC, cP (ASTM D4684) .........................................21600
HTHS Viscosity, mPa•s @ 150ºC, (ASTM D4683).......................3.6
Total Base Number (ASTM D2896).......................................12.6
Sulfated Ash, wt% (ASTM D874)..........................................1.34
Phosphorous, wt% (ASTM D4981).........................................0.1
Flash Point, ºC (ASTM D92)...............................................226
Density @15ºC, g/ml (ASTM D4052).....................................0.8456
Versus the old M1 0w-40:
Approvals:
- API SN, ACEA A3/B3, A3/B4
- MB 229.3, 229.5, LL-01, VW 502 00/505 00, Porsche A40, Nissan GT-R
Specs:
@ 40ºC .......................................................................75
@ 100ºC......................................................................13.5
Viscosity Index..............................................................185
MRV at -40ºC, cP (ASTM D4684) .........................................31000
HTHS Viscosity, mPa•s @ 150ºC, (ASTM D4683).......................3.8
Total Base Number (ASTM D2896).......................................11.8
Sulfated Ash, wt% (ASTM D874)..........................................1.3
Phosphorous, wt% (ASTM D4981).........................................0.1
Flash Point, ºC (ASTM D92)...............................................230
Density @15ºC, g/ml (ASTM D4052).....................................0.85
Looks like the new product is a fair bit lighter with a significant reduction in MRV viscosity."
Mobil 1 has reformulated their 0W-40 into 2 separate products (FS and ESP), with the Mobil 1 FS 0W-40 being the one to be used in our GT-R's. On the rear label of the jug, the new formulation is no longer stated to "Meet or exceed the requirements of... Nissan GT-R", along with BMW & Chrysler being removed. You can spot the new formulation easily, as it no longer states approved for BMW on the front label in yellow large font letters, simply stating "Approved for most Mercedes-Benz, VW, Audi & Porsche", along with small white FS letters to the bottom, far right, of the Mobil 1 logo, by the lower portion of handle. They have also drastically decreased their own recommended applications from 7 to 1, simply stating "Is recommended by ExxonMobil for use in applications requiring VW 503 01.", dropping SAAB, 3 FIAT's and 2 OPEL's.
Using the Mobil 1 "Find the Right Oil" tool from their site, it does come up with "Mobil 1 FS 0W-40" as their recommendation for the GT-R, though it has removed the old formulation from their recommendations altogether, and unsure if I should interpret this a true recommendation or not, since the new label does not reflect this. I'd like to see what other people thought on this topic, since it is no longer stated to meet the requirements of the GT-R on the label, and it was the only oil that we are allowed to use in our cars (besides Mobil 1 10W-40, but risk decreased performance). For BMW's, they can switch to German Castrol (BMW manual states Mobil 1 synthetic, while their oil cap states Castrol), we unfortunately aren't given an option.
It was stated in a Bob the Oil Guy forum when comparing the data sheets from the old and new formulations, that this new formulation is about 5-7% thinner and is barely a 40 weight, and will drop to a 30 weight as usage occurs (due to shearing, etc). The BTOG thread (page 4) also stated that the new formulation "Mobil 1 FS 0w-40 that is GTL based is actually VERY similar in viscosity to the original Mobil 1 0w-40 that was PAO-based" [original 0W-40= prior to R35??] and page 1 stating the new FS formulation is "10-20% PAO and 40-70% GTL" The new formulation is supposed to be better in cold weather applications. Some have speculated FS will provide less wear protection.
On page 3 of a Bob The Oil Guy thread of this new formulation, the topic of the GT-R came up, but a definitive answer was not given. http://www.bobistheo...obil_1_FS_0w-40
Explanation From a BMW Thread:
"Mobil has definitely changed the formulation, as the new oil is called M1 FS 0w-40 instead of M1 0w-40. The new oil uses a PAO and GTL (gas-to-liquid) base oil, whereas the old one used a PAO and Visom (Group III) base oil. A specification like LL-01 can't be changed and still keep the same number. They can introduce new ones, which BMW has, but BMW LL-01 will always be the same LL-01. The new reformulated oil doesn't meet LL-01 for whatever reason. If you use the find the right oil feature on the Mobil website, the 0w-40 no longer shows up."
Rebate Info/Time to Stock Up?/Tips
In the meantime, until this is clarified, those that choose to purchase/stock up on the old formulation prior to their next oil change, there's a $12/5qt rebate from Mobil 1 ($15 rebate with filter) until May 31st, limit 2. After rebate, it comes out to $13.47/5qt jug at Wal-Mart
I'd recommend purchasing in-store, rather than Walmart.com (free shipping on 2 jugs, but probably FS due to quick turnaround + cheapest retailer), so you can choose to buy the original 0W-40 formulation if available [Check rear of shelves, as they're bad about rotating stock. I found 3 bottles in the back of the shelf, behind a whole shelf of new FS 0W-40]. Also, remember shelf life per Mobil is 5 years. This week, the Advance Auto Parts store by my house had only the old formulation, while Autozone had only the new FS, so chain warehouse stock seems to play a role as to when it appeared/appears (along with region, individual store stock, and even part of shelf at store)
Mobil 1 $12/5qt or $15/5qt + filter rebate link:
https://apfco.net/se...235W/Home/Entry
Blackstone Analysis on unused Mobil 1 FS 0W-40 (New Formulation):
http://www.bobistheo...FS"#Post4028326
Blackstone Analysis on unused Mobil 1 0W-40 (Old Formulation):
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3001485/1
BMW Thread Link, including direct communication with Mobil:
http://www.bimmerfes...64&postcount=37
Another Bob is the Oil Guy thread:
http://www.bobistheo.../1[/B][/U]
I attached pics of the front/rear labels of the new FS formulation, as well as the rear label of the old bottle for comparison. I got them from another site, since I don't have a bottle of the new oil yet (I don't remember which site, since I've visited many in my attempt to find out the differences.
Quoted from page 1 of the BTOG thread linked above:
"http://pds.mobil.com...1_FS_0W-40.aspx
Dated February, 2016. Of note, still no LL-01 approval. Looks quite different from the outgoing 0w-40:
Approvals:
- API SN, ACEA A3/B3, A3/B4
- MB 229.3, 229.5, VW 502 00/505 00, Porsche A40
Specs:
@ 40ºC .......................................................................70.8
@ 100ºC......................................................................12.9
Viscosity Index..............................................................186
MRV at -40ºC, cP (ASTM D4684) .........................................21600
HTHS Viscosity, mPa•s @ 150ºC, (ASTM D4683).......................3.6
Total Base Number (ASTM D2896).......................................12.6
Sulfated Ash, wt% (ASTM D874)..........................................1.34
Phosphorous, wt% (ASTM D4981).........................................0.1
Flash Point, ºC (ASTM D92)...............................................226
Density @15ºC, g/ml (ASTM D4052).....................................0.8456
Versus the old M1 0w-40:
Approvals:
- API SN, ACEA A3/B3, A3/B4
- MB 229.3, 229.5, LL-01, VW 502 00/505 00, Porsche A40, Nissan GT-R
Specs:
@ 40ºC .......................................................................75
@ 100ºC......................................................................13.5
Viscosity Index..............................................................185
MRV at -40ºC, cP (ASTM D4684) .........................................31000
HTHS Viscosity, mPa•s @ 150ºC, (ASTM D4683).......................3.8
Total Base Number (ASTM D2896).......................................11.8
Sulfated Ash, wt% (ASTM D874)..........................................1.3
Phosphorous, wt% (ASTM D4981).........................................0.1
Flash Point, ºC (ASTM D92)...............................................230
Density @15ºC, g/ml (ASTM D4052).....................................0.85
Looks like the new product is a fair bit lighter with a significant reduction in MRV viscosity."
