oil, frankincense and myrrh . . .

[Rixtoy1]

So - I have read all the posts on changing your own oil, dutifully purchased the elusive low-profile 32mm socket, Rhino ramps, WIX oil filter, 10" socket extender and only needed to pick up some Mobil 1 5w30 to prepare for my first foray into the world of Solstice sludge this coming week-end when the temps are supposed to be reasonable for lying under a car.
But, only one catch - there doesn't seem to be a single quart of the valve nectar anywhere in the largest city in Kansas (that would be Wichita). Not Wally World, Advance Auto Parts, NAPA, or any of the other regulars. It seems the recent hurricane in the gulf disrupted the supply lines for the stuff and the cupboards are bare. I was contemplating going the Amsoil route and when I went to an O'Reilly's to get an unrelated item, there it was on the shelf - my personal Christmas present - a four qt container of the 5W30 and 1 single quart to make my quota. And, they were the only quarts available in the store.

So, if you are contrmplating an oil change in the next few, make sure you have the stuff in hand before draining the old - might be a bit of a wait otherwise.

Cheers and Happy Ho Ho!

[jrdallas]

I've noticed the same problem finding Mobil 1 in the 5-30 version. Could someone esplain the seeming shortage of this weight oil?

[MomsSol]

Originally Posted by jrdallas I've noticed the same problem finding Mobil 1 in the 5-30 version. Could someone esplain the seeming shortage of this weight oil?

Hmm .. Wally World here is stocked to the gills!

[silversolstice]

I don't know about 5w, you can't go wrong with the 10w

But seriously, this guy can write he made an oil change sound interesting.

[stang]

Great title.

[Rixtoy1]

Originally Posted by silversolstice I don't know about 5w, you can't go wrong with the 10w But seriously, this guy can write he made an oil change sound interesting.

Ummm, it IS 5W30 preferred, right?

[pep]

Originally Posted by Rixtoy1 Ummm, it IS 5W30 preferred, right?

Yup, 5w30 mobil 1 synthetic for GXP and 10w30 is good for N/Abase model but they recommend 5w30 non synthetic for that base model too.But I would use only a GM replacement oil filter that's just my opinion.

[PubliusE]

Originally Posted by Rixtoy1 .... and only needed to pick up some Mobil 1 5w30 ... It seems the recent hurricane in the gulf disrupted the supply lines for the stuff and the cupboards are bare.

Silly question but why would the huricane effect synthetic oil production?

[pep]

Originally Posted by PubliusE Silly question but why would the huricane effect synthetic oil production?

I think they use regular oil as an ingredient and change it's molecular structure to make it better if I'm not mistaken...

[Rixtoy1]

Originally Posted by PubliusE Silly question but why would the huricane effect synthetic oil production?

LOL! . . . I didn't even think of that.

Maybe the whole synthetic thing has been a marketing hoax from day 1, eh?

Or, maybe they use government intelligence as a secret ingredient and FEMA was using the only available brain during the hurricane . . . yep, that's probably it.

[MomsSol]

Originally Posted by PubliusE Silly question but why would the huricane effect synthetic oil production?

Because its still "oil" based:

In the simplest terms, the base stock of synthetics, polyalphaolefin (PAO) starts as ethylene gas, a simple two-carbon molecule that is built up to a 10-carbon molecule. Three of these super molecules are combined to form PAO, a base stock that offers a number of advantages over Mother Nature's version. Synthetics are more stable, flow at lower temperatures, are more resistant to boiling off, and less susceptible to oxidation, which causes thickening with prolonged high temperatures.

[4sdair]

Did you try the West side Sam's? Was out there last week and they had a few cases of it. We'll have to meet up some time,I'm in Haysville...

[blueman]

Changed my oil today.Same problem in south Florida, Wallyworld hasn't had 5w30 Mobil 1 in a month. I ended up going to the FLAPS (friendly local auto parts store) and got sticker shock. My last purchase 6 months ago at Wallyworld was a 5 quart bottle for $24. The total at my FLAPS with filter was $47.80. OUCH!!!!!!!!

[chuckdoc]

I read somewhere that there was a fire in Mobil texas refinery which has limited the production of Mobil 1. I have not been able to verify with a google search as to the effect on Mobil 1 but there was definitely a fire. It is amazing at the lack of news on this but I bet someone on this forum knows something about it.

How about it Texas members?

If true, shortage should be temporary.

I do not know if you can substitute 10W 40 for 5W 40 as they have different operating temperatures. Deepblue and I elected not to use the 10W 40 Mobil 1 we were able to find.