Understanding the best motor oil options is key to keeping the engine functional. This step includes knowing the perfect alternatives, which is crucial when the preferred full synthetic is not available.
In this blog, we’ll be featuring two of the top-notch motor oils that people usually use, Mobil 1 vs Castrol edge. We’ll cover their features and see whether they can be a viable substitute for each other.
| Factor | Mobil 1 | Castrol Edge |
| Mileage before oil change | Up to 20,000 miles | Up to 10,000 miles |
| ILSAC standard | ILSAC GF-6A | ILSAC G-6A and ILSAC GF-6B |
| Viscosity grade | 0W-20, 0W-16, 0W-30, 0W-40, 0W-50, 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-40, 5W-50, 10W-30, 10W-40, 15W-50, 20W-50 | 0W-16, 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-50, 10W-30, and 10W-40 |
| API service category | API SP | API SP and API SN |
Table of Contents
Overview
The engine cannot function well without motor oil. This lubrication allows every engine piece to do its part to make the vehicle run smoothly. If the motor oil can’t suffice the engine’s needs, expect serious damages to happen.
That’s why checking the compatibility of the oil is a must when choosing a product. Now, with Castrol Edge vs Mobil 1 in mind, an oil comparison is a great way to understand what these two oils can offer.
Let’s dive more into the specifics of these two high-performing engine products.
1. Mobil 1
Mobil 1 full-synthetic motor oil is the product we’ll feature today. This item is one of the ultimate and strongest contenders for the best synthetic engine oil, and is available in many formulas, such as the Extended Performance, High Mileage, and Racing oils.
The product boasts three features that every engine needs:
- Stress and wear reduction
- Contaminant and sludge removal
- Increased energy efficiency and power
2. Castrol Edge
The other featured product is Castrol Edge. Many vehicle owners strongly prefer this brand due to its fluid titanium technology.
Castrol Edge fully-synthetic oil comes with three notable offers to ensure lubrication flow:
- Anti-wear protection
- Anti-sludge protection
- Ultimate engine performance
Regarding temperature performance, this brand doesn’t fall short of Mobil 1. It can also perform in both high and low temperatures. Castrol Edge was engineered to function 10x better in high temperatures.
Similarities and Differences
You might wonder why of all the brands to compare, we select Mobile One oil and Castrol edge products. Both are high-quality synthetic types of engine oils. Furthermore, these are household brands that many people have already tried.
So, to further understand their impressive qualities, let’s check out some aspects where they differ and are alike.
1. Similarities
Formulation
One of the common grounds that both products cover is the protection formulation. Both offer friction reduction, which is ideal for every engine oil. That way, engine components will last longer.
Furthermore, guaranteed clean flow is also one of the main priorities of both oils. For instance, Castrol Edge features anti-sludge additives, the same as Mobil 1.
Viscosity grade
It can be noticed from the table above that there are some viscosity grades that both products can offer (e.g., 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, and 10W-30). These SAE marks are the common go-to products of vehicle owners.
For instance, 5W-30 and 10W-30 oils can cater to common low and high temperatures (specifically, -30oC to 35oC vs. -18oC to 30oC). There’s a balanced thickness of oil, making certain that smooth lubrication flow can happen.
2. Differences
High mileage
The first in our list of differences is the mileage of the products or preferred time for oil change. There’s a huge gap between the two, which can be seen in the table above.
Mobil 1 provides a longer duration of 20,000 miles, which, if converted to months, is about 12. Meanwhile, Castrol Edge can only cover half that at 10,000 miles.
Backward compatibility
On the other hand, both Mobil 1 and Castrol Edge can provide backward compatibility with older oils, except for the Castrol Edge 0W-16. The reason is that only formulations under the category of ILSAC GF-6A can cater to the older specification of ILSAC GF-5.
The Castrol Edge 0W-16 is categorized as ILSAC GF-6B.
Price
Another factor where the two prominent brands differ is the price. For the purpose of accessibility, we’ve picked one location that most people have visited, Walmart.
In terms of the price, Castrol Edge is more affordable, with a price of $7.98 for 1 quart. Meanwhile, Mobil 1 can be bought at $9.67 for 1 quart.
Application
Castrol Edge tends to be better for old vehicles, while Mobil 1 suits newer engines more. However, I would say both can do well regardless of what car you have, so long as the oil meets the requirements of the vehicle manufacturer and you change it regularly.
Pros and Cons
Aside from the previous discussion, knowing the advantages and disadvantages of both products is also key. Understanding every pro and con can help identify the most suitable product to secure the engine’s performance.
Mobil 1
- Contain cleaning properties
- Longer mileage before oil change
- Provide heat protection
- More expensive
Castrol Edge
- Protection from wear and tear
- Sludge protection
- More affordable
- Low accessibility in physical stores
Which Oil is Right for You?
After a lengthy analysis and comparison between the two brands, is Castrol Edge good oil, or do you think Mobil 1 offers more?
There might be an obvious choice for everyone, but all will not choose the same product. That’s because at the end of the day, there are still winning aspects that the other brands can’t provide. So, maybe the better question is, in which aspect does such a brand win?
- Compatibility with vehicle model
- Expenses
- Engine performance
Many prefer Mobil 1 for diesel engines and Castrol for race cars, but this is not a hard-and-fast rule. These oils are also similar in that they are not the best option for industrial use.
Conclusion
Mobil 1 vs Castrol Edge is a great comparison to check when finding a great engine oil substitute. These brands are well known in the petroleum industry, which assures consumers both are quality.
However, that is not enough to classify which one is better. Through detailed analysis, this discussion unveils aspects in which each brand excels individually.
So, to answer which is the better substitute, consider your needs first to identify the best option.
Working with Vernon and Ryley has been a great experience for me. Together with the rest of the team, I hope to create reliable and useful information for our readers, no matter where they are and their experience with car maintenance.
