Motor oil. Which do you use?

[Martin]

I use Mobil1 15W50 fully synthetic in my Esprit.

I have had no problems with it and it does not cause leaking. What is funny is when I bought the car the guy said that it leaked oil but I never found it to do so. Then again I did change the oil right after i got it so it may have leaked out of the drain hole from it not being fastened properly (maybe he just assumed that it did because it is British :) ). I use the same stuff in my 87 Maserati Biturbo but with this car, I am convinced that it has caused more leaks than conventional oil would have. Still I feel that it's worth doing if it saves the engine from excessive wear and tear.

What do you all use?

[MickOpalak]

I just changed my oil this Sunday and I used Mobil-1 0W40 synthetic.

[Martin]

Is that the black and yellow labeled oil?

[MickOpalak]

I don't think so. If I recall correctly its a silver bottle with a white and blue label.

[wrh3]

Amsoil 5w40

[Martin]

So....you can't just go out and buy Amsoil right?

[wrh3]

So....you can't just go out and buy Amsoil right?

No, but I usually have a few cases on hand ;) My oil analysis results have always been better with it than the Mobil1 0w40, and it's about the same price if you are a preferred buyer/dealer.

[WayneB]

I have always used Mobil 1 15W-50 in the Esprit up to now, but it is no longer available in this area in that grade (only 0W-40), which I have been told will possibly cause camshaft wear and failure by a racing engine builder I know.

He has had a couple of camshaft failures in engines when using this oil and recons its been re-formulated for more modern engines with fully roller camshaft followers (which the Esprit doesnt have).

I respect his opinion on this matter, so I've decided to switch to Valvoline 20W-50 synthetic.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/215QY6R102L._AA160_.jpg

[Martin]

Wayne, let me know what you think of the valvoline after you change it out again. I can still get 15W50 Mobil 1 for now but I have heard of many places that are getting rid of it.

[Tony K]

About eight years ago, I called Lotus Cars USA to get clarification about what kind of oil I should use in my S1. I spoke with Dwayne/Duane (not sure how his name is spelled). He told me that the best oil to use was Mobil 1 15W50 synthetic. I asked him why, and the main reason he gave was because it protects the top end (camshafts and followers) from wear better than any oil out there. He said something about the formula and additives, but I don't remember any more.

I use Mobil 1 15W50 in the red S1, and it has no leaks. The white and blue cars have Valvoline VR-1 20W50 fossil oil. I will probably switch to Mobil 1 on them, too. One thing to the Valvoline's credit -- it maintains much better oil pressure when it is hot and when it is near the end of its life cycle than the Mobil 1.

[Martin]

Let me know how it goes after you put in the 15W50 into the others. It can make them leak as you are probably aware of.

[joeyoesprit]

FYI - I found this on the main lotus web page

http://www.grouplotus.com/car/car_aftsales_techtpc.php?section=9&page=12&page_id=38

If the link doesn't work this is what it said:

Engine Oil
In order to ensure the longevity and reliability of the vehicle, it is most important that only the specified lubricants are used. It is an entirely false economy to try to save money by using lower quality oils, which may degade before the next change interval and provide inadequate protection before the end of the term. High oil consumption may also result.

The engine is factory filled with a top quality mineral oil to be used during the running-in period until the After Sales Service. Once running-in has been completed, it is considered that fully synthetic engine oils represent the best value in terms of fuel economy and wear protection. A multigrade oil is designated with a low temperature viscosity grade (first number with ‘W’ for winter) followed by a high temperature viscosity grade. Oils with low cold viscosity, offer benefits in terms of fuel economy, ease of cranking and starting, and cold run protection. Oils with high hot viscosity offer increased protection at high temperatures and high rpm.

For the ‘Mk.1’ and ‘Mk.2’ Elise:
Choose a multigrade oil with viscosity in the following range:
Cold viscosity; 0 - 20W
Hot viscosity; 50 - 60
For use in temperate climates, Lotus specifically recommends the following fully synthetic
products:
- Mobil 1 Motorsport 15W/50
- Castrol Formula RS 10W/60
For use in extreme cold climates, choose an oil with a low temperature viscosity of 0W.

For the Elise 111R/Exige ‘Mk.2’/USA Elise:
These models have been tested in all climatic conditions likely to be encountered with Texaco Havoline Synthetic 5W/40 oil which offers advantages in ease of cranking, smooth cold running and fuel economy at low temperatures, in combination with good wear protection at elevated temperatures and at high engine speeds. However, if a car is to be driven on track at maximum effort, or in conditions or a manner likely to result in very high oil temperatures being achieved, the engine oil should be changed for Castrol Formula RS 10W/60.

Lotus 900 series 4 cylinder engines and V8:
Choose a multigrade oil with viscosity in the following range:
Cold viscosity; 0 - 15W
Hot viscosity; 40 - 60
Lotus specifically recommends Mobil 1 Motorsport 15W/50, and Castrol Formula RS 10W/60.

In all cases, the oil quality grades which should be met are either European standard ACEA A3, American standard API SL/CF, SJ/CF, or international standard ILSAC GF-3. Check that this is printed on the oil container. For further information, refer to your Owner’s Handbook.

I have also asked the Lotus about antifreeze for the Esprit V8s. Since Castrol Antifreeze or ShellSafe Plus is impossible to find now. Here is what they said:


“Basically, there is nothing too unique about the construction of the Esprit powertrain. The cars were build using the coolants you quote, but so long as the system is completely flushed out, you could use a modern longlife coolant with OAT corrosion inhibitors, but you need to avoid any mixing of
types.

Stick with a DOT 4 brake fluid, and with Castrol TAF-X 75W/90 for the transmission.

Castrol has confusingly rebranded some of its engine oils, with Castrol Edge 10W/60 being available in Europe in both semi and fully synthetic variants. Use only fully synthetic.

Dave Massey - Technical Service
Senior Technical Author
Lotus Cars Ltd., Hethel, Norwich, Norfolk. NR14 8EZ.”

Joeyo
2001 V8

[Brian Skeoch]

I also use Mobil 1 Synthetic altho I hear people using royal purple with great results.

[Martin]

Cool. Thanks for that info Joeyo.