Originally Posted By: Pablo
No. There is a key difference. The viscosity is a "hard" number (yeah we know it's a range, etc). You can't just use different than recommended viscosities and not expect some warranty repercussions if some engine problem pops up. You can't use wrong filter numbers or other parts not specified for the car. With API, as long as the oil meets the performance requirements (which Amsoil does), it does not need to be certified. I've been writing this for many many moons - people just take the side they like to root for, rather than using their critical reasoning skills. I mean look at Caterham's statement right in this thread. Did he ever "respect" Amsoil when they recommended 0W-20/0W-30 in XW-X0 applications?
Am I saying 0W-XX oils will cause any problems? If you think this, then you aren't reading closely enough.
I understand what you're saying, I just disagree with it; define "wrong filter numbers?". The only filter number given in my owner's manual is an 820S. Does that mean any other filter will void my warranty? Of course not, as long as it meets the specifications. And a "0W" oil meets the specifications of a "5W" oil--it simply exceeds them. This is not analogous to running a 30W oil in a car spec'd for 20W (something Amsoil used to recommend as well), or a 20W oil in a car spec'd for 30W because you think it's OK. The requirements and specs, are, indeed different; but that's a totally different deal, as you well know.
Personally, yes, I respected the fact that Amsoil included 0W recommendations, and I'm disappointed they went down this road. It's only going to add to the confusion, and people thinking that 0W30 is "too thin". Amsoil's 0W30 SSO/AZO was always it's marque product, at least in my mind. And while I'm sure you'll continue to recommend it to people, can you name a singe vehicle for which this oil will be now be "recommended" by the site's search engine? I really can't thing of a single one. That doesn't make much sense to me.
I realize we'll have to agree to disagree, but I honestly still don't see the difference between this and the API certification thing, since a 0W oil has to meet the exact same specifications as the 5W variant--it just exceeds them. And as you know, this is a concept that some folks still have difficulty wrapping their heads around--and this will just makes things worse.
Lastly, I'll just ask:have you ever heard of a single instance of someone having a warranty claim denied for using a 0W30 oil in place of 5W30 (or 0W20 in place of 5W20)?
