Motor oil is the lifeblood of any car. Considering the significant investment that you’ve likely made in your vehicle, the last thing you want to do is use low-grade oil or an inferior product.
While conventional oil products are cheaper, the advancements made with synthetic oils will save you money in the long run.
When it’s time to change the oil in your vehicle, two products on the market stand out amongst their peers.
Pennzoil Platinum and Mobil 1 are synthetic motor oils that keep your engine clean and lubricated while maintaining fuel economy.
This article will dive into what makes these two products stand out, some critical differences between each, and what you should consider before making your decision.
Contents
About Pennzoil Platinum Oil
Pennzoil Platinum Oil is a fully synthetic motor oil that guarantees to extend the life of your engine by up to 15 years or 500,000 miles.
It is made from natural gas instead of crude oil and claims to be 99.5% free from engine-clogging materials.
Pennzoil Platinum is specifically designed for high-performance engines and provides excellent performance in extreme weather.
Pennzoil Platinum is available in the following viscosities:
- SAE 0W-16
- SAE 0W-20
- SAE 5W-20
- SAE 5W-30
- SAE 10W-30
- SAE 10W-60 (Racing)
To know which oil viscosity is appropriate to use for your car, check your owners manual. It should also indicate if you need a different viscosity based on whether you live in a colder or warmer climate.
About Mobil 1 Oil
Another leader in the synthetic motor oil market is Mobil 1. They offer their patented Triple Action Formula that ensures Performance, Protection, and Cleanliness.
Mobil 1 guarantees your engine can go 10,000 miles between oil changes with their Extended Performance line of motor oils.
Mobil 1 has an extensive line of motor oil options with a wide range of viscosities. So whether you drive a high-mileage vehicle, SUV or truck, diesel, or you’re even into racing, Mobil 1 has a brand and viscosity to fit every need.
Similarities Between Pennzoil Platinum and Mobil 1 Oils
There are a few notable similarities between Pennzoil Platinum and Mobil 1 oils that you should know if you are trying to choose between the two.
- Both Pennzoil Platinum and Mobil 1 are fully synthetic motor oils.
- Each brand helps extend the life of your engine with terrific guarantees.
- Offer a variety of viscosities and brands specifically designed for specific vehicles and activities.
- Each option offers protection from extreme heat or cold.
- Both brands, when used properly, can help maintain fuel efficiency.
Though they are similar, their differences will help you choose which is best for your vehicle.
The following information will compare the two in more detail.
Pennzoil Platinum vs. Mobil 1 Oil Features Comparison
There are enough differences between Pennzoil Platinum and Mobil 1 Oil that you, as a consumer, will have a clear choice depending on your needs.
To help you decide which brand, model, and viscosity are right for you, we’ve created a basic comparison between the two.
Pennzoil Platinum vs. Mobil 1 Country of Origin
| Pennzoil Platinum | Mobil 1 |
| U.S.A | U.S.A |
Pennzoil Platinum vs. Mobil 1 Manufacturer
| Pennzoil Platinum | Mobil 1 |
| Pennzoil | Mobil 1 |
Pennzoil Platinum vs. Mobil 1 Type of Oil
| Pennzoil Platinum | Mobil 1 |
| Full synthetic (Natural Gas Base) | Full Synthetic (Oil Base) |
Pennzoil Platinum vs. Mobil 1 Oil Model
| Pennzoil Platinum | Mobil 1 |
| Pennzoil Platinum Premium Full Synthetic | Mobil 1 Extended Performance High Mileage |
| Pennzoil Synthetic Blend | Mobil 1 Extended Performance |
| Pennzoil Gold Advanced Synthetic Blend | Mobil 1 High Mileage |
| Pennzoil Full Synthetic Entry Full Synthetic | Mobil 1 |
| Pennzoil High Mileage Synthetic Blend | Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy |
| Pennzoil Platinum Euro Premium Full Synthetic | Mobil 1 Truck & SUV |
| Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Superior Full Synthetic | Mobil 1 ESP |
| Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage Premium Full Synthetic | Mobil 1 FS |
| Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck | |
| Racing Oils | |
| Mobil 1 Racing 4T | |
| Mobil 1 V-Twin | |
| Mobil Super Synthetic | |
| Mobil Super Synthetic Euro | |
| Mobil Full Synthetic | |
| Mobil Full Synthetic High Mileage |
Pennzoil Platinum vs. Mobil 1 Viscosity
| Pennzoil Platinum | Mobil 1 |
| SAE 0W-16 | 0W-16 |
| SAE 0W-20 | 0W-20 |
| SAE 5W-20 | 0W-30 |
| SAE 5W-30 | 0W-40 |
| SAE 10W-30 | 5W-20 |
| SAE 10W-60 (Racing) | 5W-30 |
| 5W-40 | |
| 5W-50 | |
| 10W-30 | |
| 10W-40 | |
| 15W-50 | |
| 20W-50 |
Pennzoil Platinum vs. Mobil 1 Recommendations Based on Usage
We all have our priorities when it comes to making any purchase. Choosing the right motor oil is no different. This section will discuss some of the most common criteria people use when deciding between motor oils.
Pennzoil Platinum vs. Mobil 1 Price
Prices vary from store to store, but for the sake of this article, we will try an apples-to-apples comparison of the most common oil viscosity for each brand, 5W-30.
At Walmart, you can buy a 5-quart container of Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic 5W-30 for $26.44. Also, at Walmart, you can buy a 5-quart container of Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 5W-30 for $29.47.
Fuel Economy
Both products offer variations targeting fuel economy, so you can’t go wrong with either choice. For the standard Pennzoil Platinum vs. Mobil 1 motor oils, though, Pennzoil does rate slightly better in promoting fuel economy.
Which One Is Good for Engine Protection
The primary role of any good motor oil is to protect and prolong the life of your engine. With two high-quality products such as these, there is no wrong answer.
Depending on your engine type and the engine’s age, there is a product from each line that will suit your needs.
Oil Changing Intervals
One of the most notable differences between Pennzoil Platinum and Mobil 1 is the intervals at which an oil change is recommended. The old rule of changing your oil every 3000 miles is long gone with the advancements in technology.
Pennzoil Platinum recommends changing oil using its products every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. While this is the suggested mileage range, the manufacturer warns never to exceed 10,000 miles.
Mobil 1 has one of if not the longest oil change interval recommendations on the market today.
Whereas Pennzoil Platinum recommends never going past 10,000 miles, the manufacturers at Mobil 1 guarantee you’ll be able to go at least 10,000 miles between each oil change with no problems.
Mobil 1 also has products designed only to be changed once a year or up to 20,000 miles.
Oil Purity and Additives
The additives and oil purity are another clear difference between the two quality products. Pennzoil Platinum is made from natural gas, while Mobil 1 is made from conventional oil.
This design means Pennzoil Platinum has fewer engine-clogging materials than competitors who use an oil base.
Both products are full synthetics, meaning each has several patented additive packages designed for specific purposes.
Pennzoil Platinum vs Mobil 1 Pros and Cons Table Summary
| Pennzoil Platinum | Mobil 1 | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| Made from natural gas | Slightly more expensive than other brands | Oil change intervals are among the highest in the industry | Slightly more expensive than other brands |
| Improved fuel economy | Disposal is difficult and potentially harmful to the environment | Improved fuel economy | Being made from conventional oil leads to a higher chance of engine clogging materials |
| Protection from extreme weather | Recommended oil change interval is on the lower end | Protection from extreme weather | Disposal is difficult and potentially harmful to the environment |
| Cleans and protects engine | Cleans and protects engine |
Which Is Better, Pennzoil Platinum or Mobil 1?
With such a wide variety of products from both brands, the question of which one is better is completely subjective and dependent on the consumers’ needs and priorities.
Is the price your biggest concern? If that is the case, Pennzoil Platinum is the winner in that department. It should be noted, however, that considering each product’s recommended oil change intervals, the long-term oil change costs could actually be in favor of Mobil 1.
Therefore, in some instances, you will change Pennzoil Platinum oil twice as often as Mobil 1.
Is the environmental impact a priority for you? Pennzoil Platinum is made from natural gas and has less of a carbon footprint than products made from conventional oil.
Both products are high-quality, and there are several great options to choose from, depending on your engine type. But if left with a decision on which product is ‘better,’ we would lean towards Mobil 1.
The fact that they recommend and guarantee to go 10,000 miles or more between oil changes is the deciding factor for me.
Can You Mix Mobil 1 with Pennzoil Platinum?
Depending on who you ask, the answer varies. Some mechanics and experts play it safe and recommend sticking to the instructions on the bottle and not mixing different types of oil.
However, most experts agree that as long as the viscosity is the same, mixing different brands of oil will not harm your engine.
But for the sake of consistency in your engine, it is recommended that you choose an oil brand and stick with it to ensure optimal performance.
