Amsoil--snake oil or superior

[sailor55330]

What does the group say about Amsoil? I have a buddy who is trying to get me to switch (no he's not a dealer). He's currently running Amsoil in his Dirtymax all the way around and swears he's getting significantly better UOA's from Blackstone labs than he ever did with Mobil 1 or Penzoil Platinum (same filter so that's a constant) with siginficantly longer recommended OCI's Having known him for 30 years and knowing he's got no skin in the game I know he's not trying to con me, but, I figured I'd throw it out to the group, especially given we've got a few automotive guru's on here. UOA's from an independent lab are usually pretty cut and dried, but I've always felt like Amsoil was a little bit of snake oil mixed with some technology. Those who use seem to rave about it online, yet it has the element of a pyramid type operation when you go to buy it.

Anyone care to add .02? (BTW this is for autos, not boat engines if it matters)..

[bruceb58]

I wouldn't buy Scam$oil if it was the best oil on earth. I don't support their marketing.

Use good oil with a spec that the OEM recommends and you will be fine with any oil. Just change it every season or by max number of hours the OEM recommends.

[sailor55330]

I wouldn't buy Scam$oil if it was the best oil on earth. I don't support their marketing.

I feel the same way, but if there is hard physical data that shows less contamination and metal particles due (presumably due to less wear) vs another o il with mileage and usage being as close to the same as possible, it makes me think.

[cmattj]

Well give your buddy kudos for “ actually doing a sample test”
Most feel the forever oil just needs addictive add and they stretch out the change interval.

Yes in its form it is a proven lubricant that is impressive by design .

With today’s oil mfg meeting criteria for smaller clearance and economic performance... There all great.

Amsoil rumors...? ( there may be a Amsoil sponsored offshore boat that only runs Kendall )

There are reports of rollers on lifters chattering or skipping with weak valve springs as it’s very slick. But where is the line right?

Oils cheap.. change it often and contamination and oxidation won’t plague you.

Side note:
15w 40w delvac or similar diesel sae spec oils are great for controlling moisture and contamination. ( Big in Marine engines where oil temps stay low ).

[Big Block Power]

That's awesome. Tell him to keep using it and I would use any other syn oil all day long and change it when needed. Also use I also use BG MOA in everything I own. That's just me and I like it.

[jhnmdahl]

Amsoil is (was?) a synthetic polyalphaolefin base with a pretty robust additive package that was as good or better than anything out there. But, it’s basically MLM marketing and not cheap, and even Pennzoil’s new platinum synthetic derived from natural gas is pretty great.

I use Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum depending on availability and cost, and change more often than the manufacturer often recommends. I’d have no problem using Amsoil if it were cost competitive with these oils, but it really isn’t anymore.

John

[sailor55330]

I agree everything said here. Been an M1 guy for a long time and hAve just recently stretched to 5k intervals on full synthetic. I don’t think I’ll switch. As for cost, believe it or not my buddy has a website login that I can purchase 0-20 for a less than $6/quart. Best I can figure he and a few friends formed a “dealership” and they get dealer pricing.

Now, how about filters?

[sailor55330]

I agree everything said here. He’s actuAlly done several iOS’s S have his buddies all with the same results. Been an M1 guy for a long time and hAve just recently stretched to 5k intervals on full synthetic. I don’t think I’ll switch. As for cost, believe it or not my buddy has a website login that I can purchase 0-20 for a less than $6/quart. Best I can figure he and a few friends formed a “dealership” and they get dealer pricing.

Now, how about filters?

[cmattj]

Now, how about filters?

Microns? Drain back? Bypass? Capacity? Fill beforehand?
Righty tighty- Lefty loosey?

[sailor55330]

Now, how about filters?

Microns? Drain back? Bypass? Capacity? Fill beforehand?
Righty tighty- Lefty loosey?

Exactly. Except you can’t prefill when it’s a cartridge style that installs from the bottom!! Also makes the concept of anti drain useless. Stupid toyota design

[Big Block Power]

We had a guy use the ams oil and filter and it turned on the oil pressure light. Too low on a 2019 ram. We took off the filter and it weighed 20lbs like a brick.. Changed to reg syn oil and reg filter and back in Action. You can't leave a filter on for 20,000 miles. Lol

[Lee St.Clair]

Amsoil is probably no better than most oils out there. In actual testing, Mobil One has long been right on top. In fact my Mercedes Benz says use Mobil One or the warranty is void. I use Mobil One in every vehicle I have and have since it's inception. I think with Amsoil's over the top advertising should be a warning sign. If that oil is all that good, It shouldn't require a pyramid scheme to buy it.
Probably worth mentioning that the Mercedes goes 12,000 miles between changes. My F-150 changes about 8000.

[jhnmdahl]

Mercedes usually has a spec, like MB229 or some such thing, that oil must pass to be approved - see https://www.westchesterbenz.com/service ... e-include/
For an example. BMW, VW/Audi, and lots of other companies do the same thing. My understanding is they can’t require a specific brand under the Magnuson-Moss act, but if only one oil meets their spec you don’t have a ton of choice.

And lord knows BMW won’t tell you the difference between their LL-01 and LL-04, LL-12, etc. specs so you can figure out whether something meets a spec yourself.

[dustinm]

That is correct Jim. If a company requires you to use a specific brand they must supply it.

In your owners manual they will have the minimum oil spec requirement. The oil you use needs to meet or exceed that spec.

Im sure Amsoil is a fine product, but I am just put off by their marketing techniques.

[sailor55330]

I'm in agreement with everyone here and probably won't make a switch from Mobil 1. I will switch filter brands from Mobil 1. On the last oil change, when I opened the box, the new filter was about 1/4 shorter (it's a cartridge type) and there was about 20% less pleating. There was a definite visible difference in build quality. Didn't give me a warm and fuzzy. Not sure what I'll go with. Seems I read good things about Purolator and Wix, but who really knows. I don't push the oil change intervals so I'm probably splitting hairs, but it's what I do....