One great oil. One great story.

mobil 1 40th anniversary synthetic motor oil

More than 40 years ago, we introduced Mobil 1™ engine oil to the marketplace, making it the first globally available full synthetic automotive engine oil. Though it was originally released to safely enhance fuel efficiency, later formulations of Mobil 1™ engine oil offered outstanding wear protection over the widest range of temperatures. 
Now, more than four decades later, Mobil 1™ remains the world’s leading synthetic engine oil brand. It has pushed forward the boundaries of automotive lubricant technology, evolving and improving to keep engines running like new,– mile after mile – since 1974. From its vital role in the world of motorsports to its many scientific breakthroughs, Mobil 1™ engine oil has a rich story with plenty of twists and turns. Enjoy the ride below.

Early 1960's 
Synthetic Mobilgrease™ 28 developed to prevent military plane wheel bearings from falling when landing in cold temperatures. Still used in aircraft applications worldwide.
 
Late 1960's 
Mobil™-branded synthetic oil technology used to develop engine oil for big diesel engines powering oil-drilling rigs on Alaska’s North Slope in temperatures as low as -40˚C.
 
1971 
New Concept Engine Oil Team created to develop the first Mobil 1™ fully synthetic engine oil — achieving far superior properties than those of conventional oils.
 
1973 
Mobil 1™ synthetic engine oil is released in Europe, becoming an instant hit among car enthusiasts and owners of expensive high-performance cars. Formulation changes are made to test a fuel-saving 5W-20 grade in the USA, which becomes Mobil 1 synthetic engine oil.
 
1974 
Mobil 1™ synthetic engine oil is commercially introduced in the USA — setting new standards in lubrication technology. 
 
1978 
Mobil 1™ oil history in motorsports officially begins with sponsorship of Williams Formula One Racing Team. 
 
1979 
Mobil™ enters Grand Prix as a sponsor and technical partner of the Williams team; Mobil 1™ helps Williams team take five wins that season. 
 
1987 
ExxonMobil sponsors the Benetton F1 team. 
Mobil 1™ brand begins the NASCAR season as an associate sponsor of Rusty Wallace’s No. 27 car. On the winding road course of Watkins Glen in August of 1987, Wallace drove to victory lane and gave Mobil 1™ oil its first NASCAR win. 
 
1988 
ExxonMobil’s relationship with Williams team culminates with a total of 40 race wins, four Constructors’ titles, and three Drivers’ titles. 
 
1989 
  • Mobil 1™ consumer product lines:
  • Mobil 1™ Synthetic Grease 
  • Mobil 1™ Synthetic Gear Lubricant
  • Mobil 1™ Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
The Million Miles Test: A new BMW 325i is filled with Mobil 1™ synthetic engine oil, then runs continuously for four years. After equivalent of a million miles of hard driving, engine was stripped and examined, revealing that there was no sign of any significant wear. 

Rusty Wallace wins the NASCAR Winston Cup Series points standings and gives Mobil 1™ oil its first stock car championship 
 
1992 
Chevrolet Corvettes come off the line factory-filled with Mobil 1™ synthetic engine oil. 
New formula Mobil 1™ synthetic engine oil introduced, providing improved high-temperature engine protection.
 
1995 
Mobil™ / Mercedes-Benz partner with Team McLaren Mercedes, beginning integrated product development with results on and off the racetrack. 
 
1996 
Mobil 1™ Advanced Formula launched, with improved anti-wear performance and lower phosphorus levels to increase the life of catalytic converters. 
Mobil 1™ Extreme Formula 0W-30 released, providing ultimate temperature protection ranging from 400˚F to colder than -50˚F. 
Porsche turns to Mobil 1™ 0W-40 synthetic engine oil as a factory and recommended service fill for its 1996 models. 
 
1997
SuperSyn technology allows Team McLaren Mercedes cars to perform in extreme race conditions while minimizing engine stress. 
Mercedes Benz and Aston Martin become factory-filled with Mobil 1™ synthetic engine oil.
 
1998 
Team McLaren Mercedes takes Formula One Drivers’ Championship with 100 points and Formula One World Constructors’ Championship with 156 points. 
 
1999 
Team McLaren Mercedes’ Mika Häkkinen takes Formula One World Drivers’ Championship for second consecutive season with 76 points. 
Mobil™ launches Tri-Synthetic Formula, offering improved wear protection, cleaner running engines and better high- and low-temperature durability. 
Ford Mustang Cobra R, 2000 model year car factory-filled with Mobil 1™ synthetic engine oil.
Mobil 1™ Motorcycle Oils introduced.
 
2001 
All Mercedes Benz cars come off production line with a service badge recommending Mobil 1™ synthetic engine oil. 
 
2002 
Mobil 1™ with Super-Syn introduced for protection under the most extreme use, using technology originally developed for the Team McLaren Mercedes Formula One cars. 
 
2003 
Mobil 1™ synthetic engine oil selected as original equipment in Bentley Continental GT coupes. 
Volunteers begin 16-month Drive Around the World Expedition, traveling 28,000 miles with Mobil 1™ synthetic engine oil — from 53°C in the Mojave Desert to -50°C in Siberia — before changing engine oil.
Mobil 1™ becomes an official partner of NASCAR, the premier motorsports series in the United States. 
 
2004 
Emission System Protection (ESP) unveiled. Based on the Mobil™ “Low Ash” technology, ESP prolongs the life of emission reduction systems in diesel and gasoline engines while maintaining the high performance of Mobil 1™ synthetic engine oil. 
New Mobil 1™ Truck and SUV 5W-40 formula protects hard-working engines in high temperatures and delivers outstanding cold-start protection for pickups, vans, sport utilities and other light- and medium-duty trucks. 
 
2005 
Mobil 1™ Extended Performance synthetic engine oil launched. Tested in Las Vegas Taxicabs, after 100,000 extreme test miles with 15,000-mile oil change intervals, it proved exceptional wear protection of critical engine parts and excellent engine cleanliness.
 
2006 
On May 12th 2006, the worlds fastest ute (HSV Z Series Maloo R8 Ute) set off from Melbourne and endured a challenging 6-month trek around Australia - 37,000 km on all kinds of roads without a single oil change. On the completion of the journey, the engine was inspected and found clean as a whistle. 
 
2007 
Mobil 1™ synthetic engine oil selected as the factory fill oil for all 2008 Cadillac Escalade and DTS models, making Mobil 1™ oil standard in every new 2008 Cadillac vehicle that rolls off the production line. 
 
2008 
Mobil 1™ 0W-40 synthetic engine oil was selected as the factory and service fill engine oil for the 2008 NISSAN GT-R. The superior performance of Mobil 1™ oil was confirmed through various performance and field tests made by Nissan. Mobil 1™ oil was selected as the best partner to obtain great performance from the NISSAN GT-R. 
 
2011 
In its first year with Tony Stewart driving and Mobil 1™ under the hood, the Stewart-Haas Racing team achieves its first NASCAR championship winning in the last race of the season with a margin of 1.306 seconds. 
 
2012 
Mobil 1™ synthetic engine oil continues to gain carmakers’ trust, with original equipment status in 2012 models Porsche, Mercedes AMG, Chevrolet Corvette, Nissan GT-R, Lexus LFA, and more.
 
2014 
Mobil 1™ engine oil celebrates 40 years since its introduction as the first globally available fully synthetic automotive engine oil. 
 
2017 
Mobil 1™ Annual Protection ultimate full synthetic engine oil is introduced. Representing a breakthrough in synthetics technology, the new engine oil is scientifically proven to extend oil life, providing protection for one year between oil changes or 20,000 miles, whichever comes first – guaranteed.* 
*Please follow the recommendations in your owner's manual while your car is under warranty.