Both of the contenders are fully synthetic engine oils designed to protect critical components of gasoline engines in extreme weather conditions. Both meet the API SP and ILSAC GF-6A standards which means they would deliver better fuel economy and prevent low-speed pre-ignition along with the compatibility of the emission system.
Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy is specially formulated for delivering better fuel economy to catalyst compatible gasoline engines in cold weather conditions. It delivers instant lubrication during cold weather conditions. It is also compatible with multi-valve fuel-injected and turbocharged engines.
Mobil 1 Extended Performance is designed to provide superior wear and sludge protection to the engine. It delivers phenomenal flowing characteristics in extreme weather conditions and it sustains the ability during immense temperature change.
| Specifications | Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy | Mobil 1 Extended Performance |
| Oil Type | Full Synthetic | Full Synthetic |
| Engine Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Available viscosity grades | SAE 0W – 16, SAE 0W – 20, SAE 0W – 30 | SAE 0W – 20, SAE 5W – 20, SAE 5W – 30, SAE 10W – 30 |
| ILSAC | GF-6A | GF-6A |
| API | SP | SP |
| Cost of grade (0W – 20) | $7.97, 1 Quart | $8.96, 1 Quart |
| Oil change interval | 10,000 miles | 20,000 miles |
| Additives | Anti-wear additives, Cleaning agents, Viscosity Index Improvers, Anti-oxidants | Anti-wear additives, Pour point depressants, Cleaning agents, Anti-oxidants |
| ACEA | A5 | A5 |
Table of Contents
Oil Change Frequency Comparison
| Parameter | Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0W – 20 | Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W – 20 |
| Total Base Number | 8.8 mg KOH/g | 9.48 mg KOH/g |
The oil changing obligation occurs when the engine oil loses its capability to neutralize acids that had formed due to mixing of contamination with the by-products of oxidation.
This neutralizing ability is defined by engine oil’s Total Base Number (TBN).
It is apparent in the tested result that Extended has high TBN than its competitor which means it is going to last longer and hence would have a low oil changing frequency.
Viscosity Comparison
The viscosity assessment can be carried out depending upon three parameters namely kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, and pour point. Kinematic viscosity refers to the internal friction of any liquid divided by its density at definite conditions. The test shows that at 40o C Extended would be thicker since has high kinematic viscosity than its competitor and at 100o C Advanced has high kinematic viscosity.
Viscosity index states the change in kinematic viscosity with temperature change. The value of the viscosity index is inversely proportional to the effect of temperature change. The result depicts that the kinematic viscosity of Extended would be affected more since its index value is relatively lower than its competitor.
Flowing characteristics of a liquid withstand up to a certain temperature; below that definite temperature, it loses the capability to flow and that is the pour point of the liquid. As we can see in the tested data given below that Extended would be best suited for winter conditions since it has lower pour point value than its competitor.
| Parameter | Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0W – 20 | Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W – 20 |
| Kinematic Viscosity at 40o C | 45 cSt | 55 cSt |
| Kinematic Viscosity at 100o C | 8.8 cSt | 8.6 cSt |
| Viscosity Index | 173 | 131 |
| Pour Point | -51o C | -54 o C |
Catalytic Converter Performance
Major elements of anti-wear additives are zinc and phosphorous. Their concentration varies from oil to oil and they help to protect the engine from wear. But their drawback is that they affect the performance of the catalytic converter. Whenever engine oil seeps into the combustion chamber of an engine due to leakage, it burns along with the fuel and causes the formation of zinc and phosphorus ash. The ash settles down on the catalytic converter and poisons it.
The concentration of both the zinc and phosphorous is relatively lower in Advanced than Extended making it a better choice, since it would create less amount of the ash and eventually would have little impact on the catalytic converter.
| Engine Oil | Concentration of Zinc (ppm) | Concentration of Phosphorous (ppm) |
| Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0W – 20 | 548 | 543 |
| Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W – 20 | 693 | 571 |
Reduction of Sludge build
At high temperatures and exposure to oxygen, engine oil gets degraded. Its by-product reacts with the contamination to form a high molecular weight polymer product known as the sludge. It causes the blockage of engine oil and makes it difficult to flow efficiently. That’s why cleaning agents such as magnesium, sodium, and calcium are being added into oils to reduce the sludge.
The combined concentration of cleaning agents is higher in Extended than its competitor making it more effective against sludge protection.
| Additive | Content in Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0W – 20 (ppm) | Content in Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W – 20 (ppm) |
| Magnesium | 629 | 487 |
| Sodium | 0 | 94 |
| Calcium | 844 | 1152 |
Oil Burn-off protection
Many engine oils burn off when the engine remains in high-temperature conditions for an extended period, depending upon their volatility and flashpoint. Volatility is the tendency of any liquid to get evaporated under definite conditions. While the flashpoint is the temperature above which vapors of any liquid would burn if exposed to an ignition source.
Extended is having a high flash value than its competitor which means it would last longer in extreme heat conditions. On the other hand, Advanced would burn off quickly and be considered to be less preferable in high-temperature conditions.
| Parameter | Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0W – 20 | Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W – 20 |
| Flash Point | 224o C | 235 o C |
Minimizing Engine Wear-Off
Manufacturers add up anti-wear additives to the engine oil to provide wear protection. The most popular anti-wear additives are zinc, phosphorous, boron, and molybdenum. The engine oil having these additives in high concentration would provide better wear protection.
Extended has a high concentration of phosphorous, zinc, boron, and molybdenum, than its competitor, making it a remarkable choice when it comes to wearing protection.
| Additive | Content in Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0W – 20 (ppm) | Content in Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W – 20 (ppm) |
| Zinc | 548 | 693 |
| Phosphorous | 543 | 571 |
| Boron | 73 | 33 |
| Molybdenum | 60 | 52 |
Cost Comparison
The prices of 1 quart of Mobil 1 Extended Performance and Advanced Fuel Economy Full Synthetic Motor Oil 0W-20 are $8.96 and $7.97. Extended is more expensive than its competitor because it provides better sludge and wear protection in extreme weather conditions. Its oil drain intervals are also comparatively higher.
Summary
- Advanced is more damaging to engine’s catalytic convertor than its competitor.
- Extended is the best contender for reducing sludge and cleaning purposes.
- At high-temperature conditions, Advanced would burn off more quickly than its rival and Extended would be the best option in high-temperature conditions.
- Extended has remarkable wear protection ability.
- The better option in cold weather conditions would be Extended since it has high value of pour point than its competitor.
- Oil change frequency of Extended is higher than its rival.
- Extended is more expensive than Advanced.