The Key Differences Between Castrol Edge And Mobil 1 Oil

When it comes time to do an oil change to your vehicle, you want to make sure you have the best oil possible. The quality of oil you choose determines how well the engine runs. With that in mind, you may consider evaluating Castrol Edge vs. Mobil 1, as these two are some of the top options.

In this guide, we debate which one is better – Castrol Edge or Mobil 1. We will show you more about each company while we evaluate the pros and cons. Plus, we answer your top questions to make the process of selection easier for you.

Castrol Edge Vs. Mobil 1 – Which Is Better?

Among the market share of motor oils, both Mobil 1 and Castrol Edge are top choices. Mobil 1 is slightly more popular than Castrol, but not by much. Both companies create oil with a variety of viscosities and additives, ensuring superior engine performance.

Castrol Edge contains special detergents that clean out unwanted sludge from the engine. In comparison, Mobil 1 is used mainly for higher horsepower applications and contains oxidation stability to prevent corrosion.

As professional mechanics, we can’t see a big enough difference with either one that causes us to pick a winner. The answer depends on your vehicle and other factors, so you would need to perform an evaluation for yourself to see what you prefer.

Castrol Edge

Castrol Edge is a synthetic motor oil from the British oil company Castrol. This company was founded in 1899 and has been owned by BP since 2000. Today, the company has multiple headquarters in the United Kingdom, New Jersey and Illinois. It’s known for producing high-quality lubricants for use in most gas- or diesel-powered engines, including cars, motorcycles, as well as two- or four-stroke engines.

Castrol Edge Pros

After all of the years of production, Castrol knows a thing or two about creating decent oil. Here are a few of the top pros.

Better wear protection
Has titanium particles to reduce friction
Long-lasting formula
Affordable
Works with most major car brands

Castrol Edge Cons

Even though there are a lot of reasons to choose Castrol, there are some downsides to evaluate too.

Can be difficult to find
Isn’t as popular
Company has been accused of lying (see below)

Mobil 1

Mobil 1 is a brand of synthetic motor oils that is sold by ExxonMobil. The American-based company first introduced the oils in 1974. The company spends a lot of money sponsoring motorsports activities, which makes sense since the oils are focused on high-horsepower performance. Today, Mobil 1 is a leader in oils, filters and other automotive parts.

Mobil 1 Pros

The list of Mobil 1 advantages can be quite long, but here are a few worth considering.

Great engine protection
Proven synthetic formula
Prevents oxidation
Works in all temperatures

Mobil 1 Cons

Additionally, here are some cons to consider before purchasing Mobil 1 oil.

Costs more
Doesn’t work with all foreign brands

What’s the Difference Between Castrol Edge and Mobil 1 Oil?

There are probably more similarities between the two oil companies than differences. However, here are a few factors to consider as you make your choice.

1. Cost

Neither of these companies is considered the budget option. Because they are both geared toward long life and engine performance, you can expect to pay a premium price for either.

Still, Castrol Edge comes in slightly cheaper than Mobil 1. The only trouble is that Castrol Edge isn’t sold at as many retailers, making it a little more difficult to find.

2. Viscosity Grades

You can find a nice selection of viscosity grades for either motor oil brand. Whether you need 0W-20 or 10W-30, you know that both brands are ready to accommodate you.

To find the best viscosity for your vehicle, you must look in the vehicle owner’s manual. It’s important to follow all of the recommendations by your car manufacturer.

3. Performance

If you want a high-performance motor oil, we don’t think you can go wrong with either brand. These aren’t designed to be generic or low-quality in any way.

However, Mobil 1 may have a slight advantage over Castrol Edge in this category. There’s a larger range of products and a better composition overall, perfect for a sports car or premium vehicles.

4. Longevity

Both of these companies produce synthetic motor oils, so you can expect a long service life with either. Synthetic oils are rated for 7,500 to 15,000 miles, on average. However, Mobil 1 does offer some that claim to go up to 20,000 miles, while Castrol states its formulas perform the same.

While this might be suggested, you may not want to go that long without changing your oil. Plus, it’s important to install a new oil filter occasionally to keep the dirt and contaminants out of the engine.

5. Engine Compatibility

Can these two motor oils be used with any type of engine? For the most part, the answer is yes. However, it’s important to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your vehicle.

Some foreign brands don’t recommend the use of Mobil 1 oils. These automakers would prefer you use OEM oils instead, but they cost a lot more money.

6. Integrity

You want to be able to trust a company you buy from. While we don’t know whether either company is deceitful or untrustworthy, it’s important to take a look at a case that happened between the two.

In 1998, Mobil filed a complaint against Castrol with the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau. The claim stated that Castrol was engaged in false advertising, calling its Syntec a fully synthetic oil. However, Castrol did provide enough evidence proving that the oil was worthy of being called synthetic, so the BBB ruled with Castrol.

There are a lot of claims on the internet that Mobil filed a lawsuit against the company or that Castrol was found to be guilty in some way. These statements are not true. However, the issue has damaged the integrity of the Castrol brand, even if it did nothing wrong.

Choose the Best Motor Oil

Picking out a motor oil brand is only the start of taking care of your vehicle. You must also consider several other factors with choosing motor oil.

Type: Back in the day, everyone used conventional oil, but that’s not usually the best option today. Synthetic oils combine superior detergents and corrosion protection for longer engine life. It’s also going to last much longer than conventional oil, allowing you to drive more miles between changes.
Driving Style: If you drive on the highway and you don’t push your vehicle too hard, you can use just about any oil brand as long as it follows the specifications. However, if you put a lot of wear on your engine, you want to choose something more heavy-duty to protect it from wear.
Viscosity: The only viscosity you should use is the one that the manufacturer recommends. The automaker knows how the engine was produced, understanding what’s going to provide the best protection. Look in the owner’s manual and don’t go with anything else or you could void the factory warranty.
Vehicle Age: If your vehicle has more than 75,000 miles on the odometer, you are going to want a high-mileage variation. These are specifically designed to provide better friction protection so the components don’t wear faster than they need to. You may also want to change the oil more frequently to protect the older engine.

If you aren’t sure what motor oil to use with your vehicle, reach out to your local dealership. The technicians will tell you what’s recommended based on the model and the factors above.

Is Castrol Edge really full synthetic?

Castrol Edge motor oils are fully synthetic and designed to last up to 20,000 miles between changes. This popular brand uses Fluid Titanium Technology that reduces friction and strengthens the oil from wear. It’s one of the leading brands to choose from, falling just behind Mobil 1 in market share.

Is Castrol Edge good for high-mileage cars?

Yes, because of the titanium technology and special additives, Castrol Edge has been a top option for owners with high-mileage vehicles. You may choose to change the oil more frequently if you drive a car with higher mileage just to ensure that the engine continues running its best.

Does Castrol Edge really last 20,000 miles?

Castrol claims that the synthetic oil will go up to 20,000 miles between changes. Most people won’t want to follow this recommendation, especially if they are hard on their vehicles. Any towing or driving in extreme climates requires more frequent oil changes.

How many miles is Mobil 1 full synthetic good for?

The manufacturer claims that the synthetic oil can go for up to 18,000 miles or more. Extended Performance oils are rated for up to 20,000 miles. However, it’s best to change the oil more frequently, especially if you tow or drive in extreme climates.

Choosing between Castrol Edge vs. Mobil 1 can be difficult if you aren’t sure what you are looking at. Because we’ve worked with both motor oils, we know it can be difficult to choose. Honestly, it’s quite hard to tell the difference between the two.

It’s our recommendation that you give each a try during an oil change. Make a note if you see any difference with either one, so you can make up your own mind on which one to use. This is the only way you would know how each oil would perform with your vehicle.

It is always best to choose the motor oil with the correct specifications recommended by your car manufacturer, as they have tested the oil with your particular car engine for the best results.

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Categories: Engine Oil, Reviews