Mobil 1 New Life 0W40 (Tesco) MB229.5
Oil Life : 15,229 km
11+ months oil life thus far .
ODO :329,242 km in
Car model: Toyota Avanza 1.3L
Engine: K3VE Multi Port Injection
Added some 100 mL of graphited engine oil in Elf Molygraphite 15W50 .
Make up oil added : Nil
Oil level seems to drop by about 300 mL.

96 hour blotters ,




Comments to follow, folks .....

Update:
There is absence of very darkened and opaque centre zone of 8-10 mm.

However the centre zone is not light coloured and truly transparent indicating quite a high levels of heavy high-density insolubels and contaminants in this 15,229 km blotter spot.

It is a saving grace that there is absence of darkened aureole zone/perimeter ring indicating absence of undesirable agglomeration/glue'ing of insolubes/contaminants. This means there isn't signs of dirty deposits getting stucked/glue'ed onto contacting internal metal surfaces.

The dispersion zone is generally darkened with rather extensive amounts/quantities of light density insoluble/combustion contaminants.

The darkened jagged external edge indicates quite a high level of oil oxidation/water moisture in this 15,229 km blotter.

There appears to be a possible translucent halo at the outermost zone indicating a certain fuel dilution phenomenon though it is not obvious. With back light, a translucent halo would be much more obvious.

Overall this rather darkened blotter spot doesn't look pleasant and raises the need to caution.

I wouldn't consider running this used oil beyond say, 17000 km and it is time to schedule next oil change at a convenient time.

This post has been edited by zeng: Dec 9 2021, 11:44 AM

Greetings Bro Zeng

I've been reading for some time regarding your analysis and i find it very interesting.
I was hoping that you can help to analyse my car's blotter spot test too.



My car is toyota vios NCP93 year 2008, current car mileage is 241k.
done top overhaul recently in may 2020 due to excessive engine oil consumption.
currently for the blotter , im using Aisin FS Pao Ester 5W-40 , age of oil is 3 months, done 12k KM

your comment is highly appreciated.
Thank you

Hi Bro,

There is a very light-coloured and transparent centre zone in this 12k kms Aisin FS Pao Ester 5W40 blotter spot indicating there is very minimal or absence of high-density heavy metallic insolubles or contaminants in the used oil.

There is no sign of imminent darkened aureole zone/perimeter ring indicating absence of agglomeration of combustion dirts and contaminants.

The diffusion zone is clean, light coloured and transparent indicating very low levels of light-density contaminants or soots despite its rather high mileage.

At the outermost edge unlike most other >10k kms blotter spots, this 12k kms blotter doesn't exhibit any darkened jagged zig-zag external edge, even slightly, indicating very low levels or absence of moisture content and/or oil oxidation phenomenon reflecting top class anti-oxidation/detergency/dispersancy capabilities of this used oil sample.

Translucent halo at the outermost zone is absent, indicating absence of fuel dilution phenomenon.

This 12k kms blotter is comparable in performance against the other 12k kms blotter spot, also of an Aisin Pao Ester which together fares so much more better than most if not all blotter spots as found in Post #1 of this thread.

Overall, imho this 12k used oil still has plenty of life to go on.............

Bro, do note that this Aisin Pao Ester oil is a mid-SaPS (Sulphated ash Phosphorous Sulphur) oil formulation which I consider as generally superior and better than a typical high SaPS oils as commonly found in the market.

Just my 2 sen.

This post has been edited by zeng: Dec 9 2021, 12:48 PM

Since you already overhaul the engine, you should use 5w30 oil instead of 5w40. I mean, unless you have tested and found higher viscos oil is better. Else 5w30 will make the engine run smoother and less prone to sludge.

Thanks for the detailed analysis
much appreciated





I'm using 5W40 all these while because of small leaks in the engine, causing it to "makan" engine oil, as expected in 1NZ-FE engine after 150k

http://mywikimotors.com/toyota-1nz/

However, since the leak is minimal now after overhaul, Will consider 5W30 for next oil change
thanks for the advice too abubin

Hi bro zeng, 10k km update

Odo: 35,877km
Fuel: Diesel Euro 5
Oil age: 10,081km

Engine still feel & sound smooth as before, fuel economy still the same.


20 minutes


24 hours


48 hours


72 hours

The oil condition

Is it advisable to continue service bro?

Hi Bro,

From your earlier post in April this year, the oil in use is a Shell Helix Protect 0W30 SN+ A3B4


There is absence of darkened or grayed centre zone indicating very low levels of high-density or heavy contaminants like metalic wear.

Aureole zone/perimeter ring is not about to darken/gray yet and there isn't any agglomeration of contaminants/soot of concern which is good news.

Detergency and Dispersancy properties of this used oil seems to be in top shape.

Diffusion zone is very bright 'white' and transparent indicating this 10,081 km diesel blotter has very low levels of light-density carbon soots and combustion contaminants.

There is absence of darkened jagged zig-zag external edge indicating no severe phenomena of water moisture and oil oxidation.

Translucent halo at outermost zone is absent indicating absence of fuel dilution problem in this diesel DI engine.

The blotter indicates a very clean engine internal conditions which is normal in a 36k kms Odo engine.

Overall, I'm of the opinion this Shell Helx Protect 0W30 SN+ A3B4 used oil sample at 10,081 km is holding up very well and it still has plenty of residual life left for further use and continuing service, if you're comfortable with it and mindful of 'loss' of warranty rights probably (Pl clarify with conservative SC).

Just my 2 sen.

Note:
50% tarmac and 50% off-road usage is considered as severe according to 'passenger' car manufacturers. However a Hilux is designed/meant for such use.
At 10k kms usage, this blotter spot test indicates no issue.

This post has been edited by zeng: Dec 22 2021, 07:43 AM

🙏 thanks bro zeng. I've been servicing the car myself since after 2nd service at toyota, so warranty is out of the picture, hahah. It seems that the oil look 'cleaner' at 10k km compare to 5k km, I guess the oil 'cleaned-off' the residue from previous different spec'd oil.

Honda City GM2 year 2009
Current Odo : 152,896KM
Date: 24/12/2021
Blotter time : 8:00am (picture after 72hrs)
oil age : 5,873km
Engine oil used : Shell Helix HX8 X Fully Synthetic 5W30 SN


This post has been edited by 90Boyz: Dec 27 2021, 12:51 PM

Hi Bro,
Thanks for the upload.

The Centre Zone (of about 8-10 mm diameter on physical sample) is clean, light coloured and transparent indicating minimal or absence of high-density and heavier dirt/contaminants, in particular metallic wear particles.

No sign of emerging darkened aureole zone/ perimeter ring indicating minimal or absence of commencement of agglomeration of insolubles/contaminants.

The diffusion zone is clean, light coloured and transparent representing minimal or absence of light-density contaminants/dirt and soots etc.

There is absence of jagged zig-zag annulus at the outermost edge indicating absence of or insignificant oil oxidation and/or moisture content phenomena within this 5873 km blotter spot indicating anti-oxidation property of HX8 X is still intact.

Absence of translucent halo at the outermost zone seems to indicate absence of fuel dilution problem in this 2009 City.

As always, no indication of coolant contamination within oil sample.

Imho, this HX8 X at 5873 km usage is still in top shape with plenty of residual oil life to extend for further use.

Don't play play with the superb performance of this 'super' high spec'ed HX8 X 5W30 often available at low and cheap price of RM100'ish from supermarkets like Giant from time to time.

Just my 2 sen.

Edit: I'm assuming HX8 X 5W30 from Shell Malaysia and HX8 (without X) 5W30 are both having one and the same oil formulations. CMIIMW.

This post has been edited by zeng: Dec 28 2021, 01:45 PM

thanks bro zeng on detail explanations , this hx8x i have mixed with liqui moly ceratec hoping can enhance riding performance

Basing on a VOA of HX8 5W30, a sibling of HX8 X 5W30, I would speculate this HX8 X has a multi-functional Moly element of about 35-40 ppm with near negligible Boron.

Both these two additive elements also serves as friction reducing friction modifier.

Now in the below attached VOA of Liqui Moly Ceratec, it has friction reducing element of:
a )Moly at 5419 ppm (parts per million concentration) and
b )Boron at 359 ppm.

Hence, this campur aduk oil blend of yours currently in your City engine has a high propensity and capacity of friction-reducing property (and thicker minimum oil film thickness for components protection).

Try to feel or monitor by your ownself the increased smoothness and increased power torque delivery of the City engine currently, as opposed to the previous HX8 X without Ceratec, if perceptible.



This post has been edited by zeng: Dec 28 2021, 03:22 PM

Mobil 1 New Life 0W40 (Tesco) MB229.5
Oil Life : 17,080 km
12+ months oil life thus far .
ODO :331,093 km in
Car model: Toyota Avanza 1.3L
Engine: K3VE Multi Port Injection
Added some 100 mL of graphited engine oil in Elf Molygraphite 15W50 .
Make up oil added : Yes, about 500 mL (of Shell HX5 15W40) several days before current blotter date.
Oil level seems to drop by about 500 mL.

96 hour blotters,





Comments to follow, next week.

The Centre Zone is slightly darkened though not fully darkened, quite transparent and yellowish indicating presence of high-density and heavy combustion dirt particles like metal wear etc.

Good news is, there is absence of emergent darked aureole zone/perimeter ring (of about 10 mm diameter on real sample) indicating agglomeration of dirt contaminants has not commenced, if present.

Inner annulus of Diffusion Zone is a bit darkened/grey but remains sort of transparent and not opaque indicating quite substantial levels/amounts of light-density combustion by-products like contaminants and soot.

Outer annulus of Diffusion Zone remains quite clean, light coloured and transparent indicating the used oil sample's capacity to receive or absorb further quantities of light-density dirts.

The outermost jagged zigzag edge of the blotter is quite fully darkened indicating presence of moisture and substantial oil oxidation phenomenon.

Translucent halo at the outermost zone is absent indicating absence of fuel dilution phenomenon in the engine and oil sample.

As usual, engine coolant contamination is absent.

Imho, there is no cause of alarm or caution in immediate terms but it may be time to plan and schedule the next oil change with this 17,080 km used oil, before or immediately after coming CNY (falling on 1 Feb 2022).

Happy New Year 2022 and CNY in advance, btw.

This post has been edited by zeng: Jan 5 2022, 05:01 AM

Parallel imports of HX8 and SHU currently at RM99 Giant USJ1.
Both oils carry MB 229.5 approvals.


This post has been edited by zeng: Jan 6 2022, 08:38 PM

99 still not cheap enough. Hopefully got rm89 soon

Yes bro, RM89 is sometimes offered too. RM99 is not their cheapest.

thanks bro zeng.
so the 5w30 hx8 is still with SL spec, which is the same that i saw from the giant branch near my house.
i thought there is another version that other giant branches bring in with SN spec.

Oops, didn't realise this HX8 is SL.
Having said that, MB 229.5 approval was obtained by HX8 (according to Bevo site) surely not more than 2 years ago where basic API SN was required.
Prior to securing MB 229.5 approval recently, HX8 5W30 used to have in hand a MB 229.3 approval.
A PDS dated April 2015 attached below indicates HX8 5W30 was already an MB 229.3 with SN then.

 201504_HELIX_HX8_SYNTHETIC_5W_30_SN_A3B4_VW_50200_50500_MB_229.3__.pdf ( 37.83k ) Number of downloads: 21

The SL label we see here is imo, doubtful.

This post has been edited by zeng: Jan 6 2022, 11:10 PM

It's weird on how Shell UK can get their labelling wrong? SL ... SN...

Shell spent millions in marketing and they can't get their printing materials right?