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Is AmazonBasics Full Synthetic Motor Oil better than Mobil 1? Let's find out!
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Is AmazonBasics Full Synthetic Motor Oil better than Mobil 1? Let's find out!

Should You Trust Amazon Basics Full Synthetic Engine Oil?

Introduction to Engine Oil Testing

  • The video discusses the importance of automobile maintenance, particularly focusing on engine oil as a significant expense for car owners.
  • The presenter introduces the testing of Amazon Basics full synthetic engine oil against other brands like Mobil 1 and Valvoline, emphasizing that this is an independent test based on viewer requests.

Cold Temperature Oil Flow Test

  • A cold temperature flow test is set up to measure how quickly oil flows when an engine starts, which is crucial for lubrication.
  • All oils tested have an American Petroleum Institute (API) rating indicating their viscosity grade; lower W numbers signify better cold performance.

Viscosity and API Ratings

  • Both Mobil 1 and Valvoline are rated SN for high-temperature protection, while Amazon Basics has an SN Plus rating addressing low-speed pre-ignition in turbocharged engines.
  • Low-speed pre-ignition can lead to severe engine damage; thus, the SN Plus designation may be beneficial for specific vehicle types.

Lubricity Testing

  • Each oil's anti-wear additives will be evaluated using a lubricity tester to compare wear on bearings after testing.
  • Initial results show that both synthetic oils (Mobil 1 and Amazon Basics) performed significantly better than Valvoline in terms of wear.

Results from Lubricity Test

  • The scar size on bearings indicates that Mobil 1 had a scar size nearly 26% smaller than Valvoline, with Amazon Basics performing well at only 17% larger than Mobil 1.

Cold Flow Performance Results

  • After freezing overnight, Amazon Basics outperformed both competitors in the cold flow test by reaching the slide first.

Noack Volatility Test Setup

  • A modified Noack volatility test was conducted to assess how much oil evaporates under heat exposure over time.

Evaporative Loss Measurements

  • Initial weights were recorded before heating each oil; post-heating measurements indicated varying levels of evaporation among brands.

Final Performance Insights

  • Overall performance showed that while Mobil 1 has superior film strength, Amazon Basics excelled in cold flow even after heat exposure.
  • The presenter expresses confidence in using Amazon Basics for personal vehicles due to its effective performance during tests.

This structured summary provides a comprehensive overview of key points discussed throughout the video regarding engine oil testing and comparisons between different brands.

Video description

I am not sponsored by Amazon, Mobil 1, or Valvoline. I bought all the products for this test using my own money. Dozens of viewers requested this video. I'm not part of the Amazon Affiliate Program either, since I'm not trying to sell products. I do independent testing only. So, thank you very much for the video ideas, including this one! AmazonBasics Fully Synthetic Motor Oil better than Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil? In this video, I tested Valvoline 10W-30 Conventional Motor Oil, AmazonBasics Full Synthetic Motor OIl, and Mobil 1 Full Synthetic Motor oil for cold temperature flow, lubricity, evaporative loss after exposure to approximately 400F for 2 hours, and cold flow of each oil after exposed to heat for 2 hours. Finally, while I don't have a shop full of expensive oil testing equipment, the testing approach I use helps provide good information on the quality of these oil products. Thank you very much for supporting the channel by watching the commercials and through Patreon support. https://www.patreon.com/projectfarm This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you assume the responsibility for the results. Project Farm LLC DISCLAIMER: The testing methods outlined in this video are my own not performed using expensive oil lab testing equipment or following the ASTM, SAE or API testing standards. This is a showdown between AmazonBasics full synthetic motor oil and Mobil 1 full synthetic motor oil. The VALVOLINE motor oil used in this experiment is CONVENTIONAL motor oil, NOT SYNTHETIC. The use of the Valvoline conventional motor oil is to illustrate the benefits of that synthetic engine oil has over conventional motor oil. Why buy a conventional motor oil when you can purchase a synthetic motor oil which will outperform conventional oil for around the same price or a little more? The three tests outlined in the video include tests for viscosity at varying temperatures, film strength, and evaporative testing. In my opinion, the testing approaches used in this video provide consumers with valuable information on choosing the right motor oil for their specific application.