My mysteries regarding Mobil 1 European Car Formula have been cleared up, but not in the way I was hoping for.
Mobil actually followed up on my inquiries regarding why Mobil 1 European Car Formula was missing from their web site. Unfortunately, it’s being discontinued. It is being replaced with a new blend, Mobil 1 FS that is similar in spec, but very different.
The new Mobil 1 “FS” has the same packaging, and the same European Car Formula decals on the packaging. But it isn’t the same. It’s a new formula that is designated by the super-small “FS” on the front and back of the packaging.
Specifically, Mobil 1 FS drops conformity with GM LL-B-025 and BMW Longlife LL-01 specifications, among other changes. That means no using it in your LNF motors and no using it in your BMWs.
Worse, Mobil 1 ECF was *the* oil that Saab turbo owners turned to. It was the only mass-market oil sold domestically that met the European-spec that Saab required. There are niche oils out there that tout compatibility with LL-B-025, but they are vastly more expensive.
It appears this was a move to create an API SN 0w-40 oil that meets most of the European car makers, while costing less money to make. I get why Mobil made the change, but it’s depressing.
Doubly depressing, this was the only GM LL-A/B-025 oil that I could find in the USA (at least, widely available and cheap to buy). As I mentioned last time I brought it up, the good news is that you can step up to a dexos2 oil in any cars that supported the LL-A-025 or LL-B-025 oil, as dexos2 supersedes both European blends (dexos2 is also warranty-protected-and-supported for cars that require dexos1, GM 6094M, and GM 4718M domestically).
But therein lies the problem. Oil vendors (in the USA) aren’t labeling their 40 weight oils in the USA as dexos2. Even if it’s the same blend, as a dexos2 oil sold in Europe. It appears Castrol EDGE 5w-40 is dexos2, but it’s possible Castrol used a different blend for the USA, even if their 5w-30 and 5w-20 oils are dexos-certified. It’s nearly impossible to know.
I suspect GM is discouraging dexos2 40 weight oil labeling in the United States, because they’re charging for the license – and because they don’t sell any dexos2 cars with 40 weight oil domestically. But if you have a Saab, or if you want to use a thicker oil – you still need dexos2 (or LL-B-025) spec to match it.
My hope is, over time, some USA-selling oil maker will come forth and at least state that their 40 weight oil meets dexos2 standards, even if GM doesn’t want you using it for that purpose.
If you see any 40 weight oils (in the United States) that have a dexos2 sticker on them, let me know in the comments!