I felt an irresistible urge to delve into a bit of research concerning the latest oil specifications for the Porsche C40. My primary area of interest lies in the 4.0-liter engines (9A2 Evo and 9A1.5) equipped with particle filters, including the GTS 4.0, GT4, and 992 GT3 models. It’s worth noting that first two models demand 8 liters of oil during an oil change while the Porsche 992 GT3’s recommended oil change interval involves only 4 liters of oil. Now, Porsche recommends Mobil and they keep reminding you that with little stickers on the hood. They partnered up many years ago and that’s fine. Opening the 718 GT4 user manual on page 98 surprises us with Mobil logo and a little table mentioning oil grades.
The theory
As you can see oil specification C40 / VW 511 00 is required. C40 is not backwards compatible with older engines requring A40, C30 or C20. In theory one can choose any oil that meets the required grade and specification. Easy? Not quite … There exist official lists that inform us about the brands and models that have been officially approved. When we review the list released by Porsche North America, we can identify 16 different brands that have valid factory approvals (the validity of some approvals lasts until 06/2024). When we shift our attention to a European Approval document provided by dealers, we find that only one brand and model has been granted approval: Mobil ESP X3 0W-40. Could this discrepancy be because U.S. models don’t have GPF filters?
Approval lists
Quite intriguingly, the user manual permits the use of the 5W-40 grade oil when specific temperature conditions are met. Upon consulting various European dealers, it became evident that only a small number confirmed the authorization of using any C40-approved oil. In contrast, the majority emphasized the exclusive suitability of Mobil ESP X3. Curiously, they did not address the question of why the user manual permits a grade for which Mobil lacks a corresponding product. The question remains unanswered, as the European approval list (Freigabe) exclusively features one brand, whereas the US approval list provides distinct worldwide validity dates for each product.
A40 vs. C40
The C40 specification is likely required due to the presence of gasoline particulate filters (GPF) in the engines, although not all new Porsches are equipped with them. Within the USA market, there are some models that do not feature GPFs yet they still requite the use of the C40 oil. A comparison chart reveals that the C40 is low SAPS oil with reciudes content of sulfated ash. It is clear that C40 has higher deposit and emissions protection requirements.
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| Specification/Oil | Ravenol RUP |
Mobil X3 ESP |
Motul X-clean G2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viscosity | 5W-40 | 0W-40 | 5W-40 |
| Datasheet | |||
| Technology | Full Synthetic PAO | HC Synthetic | HC Synthetic |
| Specification | Acea C3, API SP | Acea C3, API SN+ | Acea C3, API SN |
| C40 Recommendation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| C40 Approval in EU | No | Yes | No |
| C40 Approval in US | Yes? | Yes | Yes? |
| Density (kg/m³) | 846 (20 °C) | 846 (15,6 °C) | 847 (20 °C) |
| Viscosity at 100 °C (mm²/s) | 14,3 | 14,1 | 13,5 |
| Viscosity at 40 °C (mm²/s) | 87,5 | n/a | 77,1 |
| HTHS Viscosity at 150 °C (mPa*s) | 3,9 | 3,8 | 3,9 |
| Viscosity index | 169 | n/a | 180 |
| Pourpoint (°C) | -51 | -48 | -42 |
| Flashpoint (°C) | 244 | 230 | 230 |
| Noack Volatility (% M/M) | 6,0 | n/a | n/a |
| tbn (mg KOH/g) | 8,3 | n/a | 8,0 |
| Sulphated Ash (%wt.) | 0,8 | n/a | 0,8 |
The date confusion
The only theory that makes at least some sense (ans was proposed by a couple of dealers) is that the mentioned list is valid for vehicles from the year 2020 onwards, as indicated in the list. But then again, why are the approvals still valid? And why the 5W-40 grade is suggested in the user manual? Why don’t they simply withdraw all other oil brands – as is done in the European document, where only one brand is available?
Verdict
Despite those facts, I’m inclined toward choosing Ravenol. It boasts remarkably similar physical specifications to Mobil, particularly in terms of density, but what’s most crucial to me is its superior oil film stability, coupled with the fact that it’s a fully synthetic group V oil. Additionally, I find it somewhat disconcerting that Mobil lacks certain vital specifications like TBN (Total Base Number) and sulfated ash content.
Since Porsche introduced the newer “C40 GT” oil specifically for their GPF-equipped 992 GT3 4.0 engines, let’s also take a closer look at its specifications.
The C40GT arrival
Porsche introduced Mobil C40 GT oil as a specialized lubricant that balances strong engine protection with compatibility for the advanced emission systems found in their GT models. Compared to typical low-SAPS oils, it contains moderately higher levels of anti-wear additives like ZDDP and slightly increased SAPS content, making it suitable for spirited street driving and occasional track use while still being GPF-friendly.
How Mobil C40 GT differs from Mobil ESP X3
Mobil ESP X3 0W-40 is a low-SAPS oil designed primarily to maximize the lifespan of emission control systems such as gasoline particulate filters (GPF) and catalytic converters. It features lower levels of anti-wear additives like ZDDP and an optimized SAPS content to minimize particulate filter clogging and extend filter life, making it ideal for everyday driving where preserving emission system health is the priority.
Mobil C40 GT 0W-40 offers enhanced engine protection with higher levels of ZDDP and other additives compared to ESP X3, making it better suited for higher-performance driving and models requiring Porsche GT homologation. While it maintains relatively low SAPS to remain compatible with particulate filters, its formula is more robust to handle increased thermal and mechanical stresses.
Context for Ravenol RUP usage
Ravenol RUP 5W-40 is a racing-focused oil designed for track use and extreme driving conditions. It contains higher levels of ZDDP and other anti-wear additives such as molybdenum, providing excellent protection under intense heat and mechanical stress. Although it has a SAPS content comparable to or slightly lower than some other oils like Mobil ESP X3, it is not specifically formulated for particulate filter protection. Ravenol RUP offers higher viscosity at high shear rates for better film strength, prioritizing maximum engine protection over emissions system optimization.
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| Specification/Oil | Ravenol RUP | Mobil ESP X3 | Mobil C40 GT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viscosity Grade | 5W-40 | 0W-40 | 0W-40 |
| API / ACEA Classification | API SN+, ACEA C3 | API SN+, ACEA C3 | API SN+, ACEA C3/C4 |
| Sulfated Ash (SAPS %) | 0,73 | ~0.8 | ~0.9 |
| Zinc (ZDDP ppm) | ~715 | ~1033 | ~948 |
| Phosphorus (ppm) | ~602 | ~824 | ~896 |
| HTHS Viscosity (mPa·s) | 3.9 | 3.4–3.5 | 3.8 |
| NOACK Evaporation (%) | 6,0 | 8,6 | n/a |
| Base Oil Composition | PAO Group V | PAO Group III? | PAO Group III? |
Note: Most of the data is not official but found on forums.
Summary
Choosing the right oil requires considering multiple factors such as usage, emissions, and engine wear. Ravenol RUP offers stronger engine protection with higher levels of anti-wear additives like ZDDP, while maintaining SAPS content comparable to Mobil ESP X3. This means it provides robust protection without necessarily increasing the risk of faster GPF clogging. Mobil C40 GT balances enhanced engine protection and particulate filter compatibility, making it suitable for spirited driving and occasional track use. In fact, Ravenol RUP and Mobil C40 GT share similar specifications, reflecting the careful balance between strong engine protection and emissions system friendliness. The introduction of Mobil 1 C40 GT replacing ESP X3 indicates that Porsche likely prioritized improved engine protection under demanding conditions, while still maintaining GPF compatibility.
