Here in the southeast Mobil is the distributor for Honda motor oil. I'm not
sure about the rest of the country. The Honda branded oil is formulated by
Mobil to Honda specs. There's not much better for your car. As for Castrol,
it's a fine motor oil. Probably no better or worse than any other major
motor oil manufacturer, except for some of the premium and/or racing oils or
synthetics.
What Castrol is best for is marketing. There is no oil company that spends
more time and money on marketing and promoting its product than Castrol.
They spend millions on promoting and the result is what many people
including yourself think that it is better and consequently it pays them
back in sales. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't better. But there is not much
difference between equivalent spec Mobil or Castrol or most other major
brands for that matter.
If you want superior, use Amsoil or Royal Purple, but be prepared to pay a
handsome price for something that will make little or no difference in a
well maintained properly oil changed vehicle.
Howard
"Don Enderton" <Enderton@nosuchaddress.duh> wrote in message
news:sOI0i.5504$yM2.3404@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> My local Honda dealer, where I get my oil changed, switched from Castrol
> to Mobil oil. Also, the paperwork and windshield sticker no longer
> indicate the grade or weight (should be API service SJ "energy conserving"
> oil, SAE 5-30 viscosity, for my particular year and model).
>
> I had an impression from years ago that Castrol was considered a superior
> brand. Is that still true, and if so, why?
>
> The service manager at Mel Rapton Honda in Sacramento, CA, says one reason
> he switched is price. Mobil is cheaper. And he assures me it meets all
> the factory specs, although I can't verify that because I can't see the
> label for what they put in my car.
>
> He also says that all Hondas come with Mobil oil in the crankcase from the
> factory, whether in the US or Japan. Is that true?
>
> OK, so Mobil is cheaper. Assuming the product is marked as meeting the
> factory specs for my car, is it good enough?
>
> I am not asking here about synthetic oil; please limit responses to
> conventional oil products only.
>
> And please, I hope to hear informed and expert knowledge here, not
> speculation and guesses. Thank you.
>
> - Don
>