Who Makes Kirkland Motor Oil: Is it Better than Mobil 1?
Kirkland’s signature has shown the world that it is a game-changer in automotive lubrication. It increases engine performance, provides wear protection, and halts thermal breakdown while leaving unbeatable standards behind.
However, you might want to know who makes Kirkland motor oil; it is produced by Warren Distribution Inc, producing quality synthetic base oil.
Warren Distribution Inc is the biggest producer of private labels in the world. They manufacture quality products that leave unbeatable standards behind.
This article will discuss Kirkland synthetic oil’s overall review, comparing Mobil 1 and Kirkland synthetic oil. And finally, we’ll give our verdict on these two products.
Is Kirkland 0w20 Synthetic Oil Good?
Kirkland 0w20 Synthetic oil is formulated to limit engine wear and clean interior engine components and offers maximum fuel economy.
Its fully synthetic concentration guarantees advanced engine protection and peak performance. It also fights against power-robbing particles better than the most superior synthetic blends.
It also offers more advanced protection against corrosion than its synthetic blend and conventional counterparts. Kirkland 0w20 fully synthetic motor oil is perfect for all gasoline, ex-fuel, or fuel electric hybrid cars that require SAE 0w20.
It meets or exceeds SAE 0w20 ILSAC GF-5, GF-4 or old standards, and API SN PLUS. With the above features, you’ll undoubtedly agree that Kirkland 0w20 synthetic oil is perfect for any engine requiring 0w20.
Who Makes Costco Kirkland Synthetic Motor Oil?
Costco Kirkland synthetic motor oil is produced by Warren Distribution, a North American-based quality oil-producing company.
They also have their brand, Mag 1, producing various quality motor oil with premium additive technologies.
Kirkland 5w-30 is one of the best synthetic concentrations of Warren distribution known for increased fuel efficiency and preventing thermal breakdown.
Kirkland synthetic oil is marketed and distributed by Costco, a multinational and well-known private label globally.
Kirkland Synthetic Motor Oil Review
Kirkland synthetic motor oil is suitable for flex-fuel, gasoline, or gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles that require SAE 5w-30 viscosity ratings, SN, API SN PLUS, SL, and ILSAC GF-5 or GF-4 or former standards. Excellent for all GM gasoline engines that run on Gen 2 5w-30.
Features
Increased Efficiency
A purified fully synthetic oil halts the frictional coefficient for the engine. And its temperature tolerance keeps the liquidity stable. It gives precise burning results and maximizes fuel economy.
Engine Cleanliness
Kirkland finished-refined synthetic molecules help to fight interior engine sludge, buildups, and deposits.
Its well-refined concentration comes with little or no contaminating particles. And its additive solvent technology dissolves all the engine buildups and keeps the interior engine compartment clean and healthy.
Thermal Action
With 5w-30 oil viscosity ratings, Kirkland oil easily withstands temperature variations. Its powerful thermal feature helps to keep the vehicle engine at an average operating temperature. It controls exhaust emissions and keeps the engine healthy.
Protective Burning
It offers advanced burn-off protection from the core. Kirkland synthetic oil guarantees advanced protection to internal engine components.
Pros
- Advanced wear protection
- Improved fuel economy
- Good resistance to corrosion
- Superior temperature tolerance
- Additional cleaning solvent
- Pure synthetic formulation
Cons
- Didn’t find one yet.
Kirkland vs Mobil 1
Mobil 1 has long proven to the world to be a reputable name for jet and automotive oil. It has maintained its standard for decades. On the other hand, Kirkland has proven to be a world-class name in the automotive lubrication communities. That led us to Kirkland vs. Mobil 1, which is better?
Kirkland motor oil meets all the applicable tests on several applications. It offers advanced wear protection, fuel economy and thermal breakdown control without compromising optimal engine performance.
But you can’t compare Kirkland motor oil to Mobil 1. Curious?
- Doesn’t have a long-age reputation as Mobil 1.
- Lacks automaker’s top recommendation for high-performance cars like Chevrolet Corvette.
- Neither has oil change stores nor has signed marketing contracts with dealerships to sell their oil exclusively.
In any case, Kirkland is much cheaper and you can compare it with entry-level Mobil 1, and Costco can vouch for it.
You don’t think Costco would risk its solid gold reputation to market oil that can’t be compared with entry-level Mobil 1, Do you? Keep in mind, that fully synthetic oil isn’t about skipping oil changes.
It’s about extending the engine lifespan while providing optimal engine performance.
One of the primary reasons I said you shouldn’t compare Kirkland with Mobil 1 is that Mobil 1 doesn’t have just Mobil 1. They have up to 14 different Mobil 1 products on their web page. Mobil 1 has unique products like Advanced fuel economy, Annual protection, Extended performance, SUV and Truck, high mileage and just Mobil 1.
Regular Mobil 1 is recommended to stay 10k miles or a maximum of one year between oil changes. Extended performance for 15k miles or one year, annual protection for 20k miles or one year.
Could this niche of Synthetic oil be a marketing ploy? If it is, then there are chances that Kirkland is kicking Mobil 1 out of the race.
Let’s get a clear picture here; fully synthetic concentration is not a shield against bad driving conditions such as regular short-distance driving from cold startups, extended idling, mountains, extreme stop and go, etc. Neither is it a shield against frequent oil changes or at least once a year.
Even advanced protection, annual and extended Mobil 1 states one oil change per annum at max.
It means oil changes shouldn’t pass one-year intervals for any reason.
What fully synthetic concentration does is protect the engine from wear and keep the engine clean and healthy. And thanks to GM’s Dexos 1 Gen 2 API’s recent SN plus requirements, it prevents Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) turbo-equipped engines from blowing due to pre-ignition at low speeds.
Thankfully, both Kirkland and all Mobil 1 fully synthetic formulas meet all these requirements.
The next considerable factor is additive packages such as advanced wear protection and premium solvent compounds. Advanced wear protection and additional solvent compounds aren’t new things in this synthetic age.
Both Kirkland and Mobil 1 have good buying power and a big reputation. So, it’s Crystal clear that neither of these products will take any shortcut in premium additive.
Kirkland claims to prevent friction better than the latest API SN PLUS standard. Especially during cold startups, that means it exceeds the API SN PLUS requirements.
While I believe in Kirkland synthetic oil, there’s no proof whatsoever it’s equal to or better than Mobil 1. Notably, Kirkland has a cheaper price tag and Costco’s solid gold reputation behind it.
Some Personal Tips
- Always follow your owner’s booklet oil change intervals and viscosity ratings. DO NOT ignore these recommendations for any reason. Don’t listen to any advice that says otherwise, either from a service department advisor, mechanic, or popular oil forum. The only respected expert is the owner’s booklet.
- Religiously follow the owner’s booklet, especially during warranty periods. Do not use any oil viscosity substitute. For example, do not use 0w20 for 5w-20. You might void the warranty even if it’s fully synthetic.
- Upgrade to full synthetic even if your car manufacturer doesn’t specify it. (Especially for old vehicles), if your engine requires 5w-30, you can switch to 5w-30 full synthetic. Don’t settle for less. Go for full synthetic and not blended concentration, especially since Kirkland full synthetic is cheaper than all blended concentrations.
Final words
Mobil 1 has a long-decade reputation that they won’t risk anything. On the other hand, Costco won’t stake its solid gold reputation if Kirkland didn’t make the cut.
Finally, don’t believe anyone who says one is better than the other. There’s no factual proof to back any claim. Unless one has access to all internal test scores or runs all applicable ILSAC and API tests, one can’t claim anything.
We know that Mobil 1 entry should be able to justify its high price. But there’s no evidence to that, no published test scores, nor any unambiguous claims from Mobil.
We do know that Kirkland meets all requirements after several tests on different applications.
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