As consumers, we always go for trusted and well-known brands, especially when it comes to what we use for our cars like motor oils and other automotive fluids. We only want what’s best. This is why household names like Castrol and Mobil 1 are mostly preferred by many. These two are among the top brands who have been around for decades. Both are subsidiary companies of the largest international petrol corporations. In this article, we will get into a detailed comparison of the two of the best motor oil brands. Let’s see who’ll emerge the winner in the battle of Castrol Edge vs Mobil 1.
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The Edge lineup is Castrol’s premium brand of motor oil. It performs better than other Castrol lineups like the GTX, thanks to the Edge being exclusively full synthetic formulas. Also take note that among the “niche” products that the company classifies as individual brands, the High Mileage type, is the only shared type between the Edge and GTX brands. This category is also where Castrol’s motor oil for supercars belongs.
Like the Edge, Mobil 1 is the premium brand of Mobil’s motor oil. Mobil has exerted a lot of effort in research and marketing in developing this brand over others. That effort is definitely seen in Mobil 1’s performance. It definitely lives up to being a premium brand of premium oil. However, if your engine is not that new and in decent condition, the Mobil 1 may not be the best option, unless you can get your engine in better condition. For newer models or good condition engines especially those high-performing ones, Mobil is definitely one of the best choices.
Is Castrol better than Mobil 1?
Both Castrol Edge and Mobil 1 perform well and are among the best in the market. But which is better? The answer to the question actually depends as one may be better than the other when it comes to a certain category but the other can perform better in another department. To make it easier, we will compare them using certain metrics such as common motor oil features and common marketing groups of motor oils. For instance, some motor oils are promoted for lengthening the lifespan of your engine. Let’s take a closer look at each niche market and determine which emerge as the winner between Castrol Edge vs Mobil 1 for each niche market.
Preservation Oil Type
This is one of the most common and typically purchased types of motor oil. It has engine preservation capabilities which means it can maintain the condition and quality of the car to make it last longer even when it is being pushed to its limits. Preservation oils include various additives so it can provide various properties as well like resistance to corrosion, rust, friction and premature wearing. They do not necessarily make engines perform better. What they do is mainly maintain the current condition of the car’s engine and prevents it from getting worse.
If you are looking for better preservation qualities, Mobil 1 is generally a better choice than the Castrol Edge. But for conventional motor oils, Castrol Edge’s magnatec additives make it the better and more suitable choice.
Cleansing Oil Type
Oftentimes motor oils are marketed with their superior cleaning properties and this is not surprising since this feature is important to maintain a car’s engine and to keep it in good working condition. It is worth taking note that most, if not all, motor oils have a certain degree of cleaning property as these come naturally with dispersant additives and detergent. What differs is the level of concentration of these additives found in the motor oil. Having high concentration of dispersant and detergent additives matters significantly particularly for a poorly maintained engine that can get a lot from thorough cleaning.
Since Mobil, in general, does not focus on developing products to cater to older and poorly maintained engines, Castrol Edge is a better choice if you are looking for a motor oil for its cleaning properties.
Performance Oil Type
This type of motor oil is specifically designed to offer the maximum performance possible which is necessary for certain high-performance cars like professional race cars and tuner cars. Performance oils also branch out to more subtypes of engine oils which depend on the type of car you have and how performance its engine is.
Mobil 1 tops Castrol Edge when it comes to being a performance oil brand. The former has a full range of high-performance products designed to give drivers an engaging driving experience for drifting, high-speed driving, and more. Castrol Edge, on the other hand, is not made for these types of applications.
High Mileage Oil Type
This type of motor oil is ideal for those who want a balance of cleaning properties and preservation capabilities to guarantee that the car’s engine stays in good condition for as long as it can and at the same time performs well.
While different brands offer high mileage oils, they are not created equally which is why they do not perform similarly. The efficiency of the product mainly relies on the types and quality of the additives mixed in the oil to make its viscosity and longevity effects perform effectively.
Mobil 1 is the best pick for motor oils that can offer a high mileage. The products in its lineup are always marketed as high mileage and they live up to your expectations. Still, Castrol Edge is also a good option, especially if you have an older engine.
Oil Type for Diesel Engines
It is common knowledge for car owners that different engine oils are developed for different types of engines and what type of fuel they run on. For example, some oils are manufactured to work with diesel, and some with gasoline.
Today motor oils are made to work well with both gasoline and diesel engines, especially those that have synthetic formulations. But for those who own old car models that have diesel engines, it is better to go with specially formulated engine oil for diesel.
It is better to use other brands instead of Mobil 1 or Castrol Edge who are both all purpose oils if you are looking for a motor oil for a diesel engine. But between the two, Mobil 1 has an edge over Castrol Edge as a performance diesel oil and as a diesel motor oil for commercial trucks.
Conventional Oil Type
Most cars with older engines still use conventional motor oils and you cannot shift to other types of oil since it can harm the already sensitive condition even if you have a well-preserved engine in your old car. You have no choice but to stick with conventional motor oil that uses pure petroleum products and occasional additives for better performance. One advantage of conventional oils is that they are cheap though there is not much lubrication. Castrol is the best and only choice between the two brands for conventional oils. As mentioned previously, Mobil 1 doesn’t make any products for older engines.
Full Synthetic Oil Type
This type is becoming more popular and widely used on most new car models mainly because full synthetic oils perform better in every aspect compared to any other oil type. They are also rapidly becoming compatible with almost all fuel and engine types. The only drawback is the fact that it is more expensive than other oil types. Mobil 1 does better than Castrol Edge in this category, thanks to its full research and development wing that is focused and dedicated to advancing the quality and performance of their full synthetic oils. It is easily seen in their product lineup.
Synthetic Blends
This type is in the middle of conventional oils and full synthetic oils. It offers a balanced mix of suitability for older engines like conventional oils and performance like what you can get from full synthetic oils. If you have an old car but do not want to feel how old your car is when driving, synthetic oils are a great and less expensive option. Mobil 1 and Castrol Edge are both trustworthy in this aspect, but Castrol Edge is slightly better when it comes to synthetic blends.
What is the best engine oil brand?
Here is a list of the best engine oil brands including Mobil and Castrol:
Mobil – is an American company that has been around since 1911 and it was known then as Standard Oil Company of New York. Today it is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world. In 1999, it merged with Exxon in 1999.
Valvoline – is one of the top producers of premium lubricants and automotive services in the world. It was founded in 1866 and its headquarters are in Kentucky.
Castrol – has been around since 1899. Its headquarters are located in the United Kingdom and Castrol operates in over forty countries. It offers lubricants for gas and diesel, engines, motorcycles, and two-stroke and four-stroke engines.
Royal Purple – is younger compared to the previously mentioned companies. It was founded in 1986. It is also an American company and is located in Porter, Texas. It aims to come up with products that significantly outdo other synthetic and mineral based oils. In 2012, the Calumet Specialty Products Partners acquired Royal Purple.
Liqui Moly – is a German company founded in 1957. It produces oils, additives and lubricate. Liqui Moly’s products are available in more than 100 countries.
Is Mobil 1 the best oil?
As mentioned earlier, it is hard to determine which is the best oil overall since there are a lot of factors to consider. But Mobil 1 is definitely one of the best oil brands there is. It is considered to be one of the best synthetic oils in review sites and exceeds the latest OEM and industry approvals. Mobil 1’s full synthetic formula has been given the thumbs up for usage in most European cars like VW, Audi, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. It also helps in cleaning dirty engines, providing easily recognizable enhanced performance. Many of its consumers like how it stood up in high performance driving conditions such as extreme heat and cold. Though some consumers found it a bit pricey, many felt it gives good value for its cost particularly for being compatible with European cars. There are consumers who said that the container leaks if placed on its side, so make sure to store it upfront. At $39 per 5 quarts, Mobil 1 is definitely not cheap for many, but its quality makes up for its cost. The craftsmanship and the ease of use are just commendable. It has an amazing 4.8 out of 5 stars rating on Amazon.
How often should synthetic oil be changed?
The answer to this question can be found in your car owner’s manual. Majority of modern cars need to be changed at 7,500 to 10,000 miles so you can follow this schedule in case you cannot find the information on the oil-change interval for your car. Keep in mind that manufacturers also have a special set of recommended oil-change for synthetic oil for cars driven in extreme conditions like Alaskan cold, or for cars spending most of their time on dusty roads. Plenty of newer cars come with oil-quality monitoring systems that will let you know if it’s time to have your oil changed.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that both Castrol Edge and Mobil 1 are one of the best motor oil brands in the market no matter what metric you are evaluating them on. But no one brand can provide the perfect solution to all problems, so if you are asking which is better between Castrol Edge vs Mobil 1, you must first ask, “What do I want to get out of the product?”
Generally, Castrol Edge is a great option if you are looking for a smooth driving experience and a car that lasts long regardless of its age and condition. Mobil 1, on the other hand, is an excellent choice if you want to keep your car’s engine in pristine condition and if you are craving for high performance. Other than choosing the right oil brand, you should also follow the right oil change interval to keep your engine in top condition.