Amsoil Confusion

[tc1446]

Looking at their current line up of motor oils I find three diff "qualities" to choose from and I'm baffled as to why they offer that lower quality oil. Basically they have:

ASM...top grade......good for 15 to 25K
XL....middle grade...good for 10K or more.
OE....lowest grade...good for "3K or well beyond".

Why would anyone want to use the OE grade? Has to be some really cheap stuff to justify only 3k or beyond. I mean, why bother, what with all the readily avail brands on the market that I have to assume are better for less money. Is it even in the same catagory as store brand synthetics like O'Reilly, Peak, Napa?

I would consider the XL suitable for my '13 Accord 4 cyl, as the Preferred Customer price is less than M1, PP, etc unless you get them at a killer sale.

Their top quality ASM is priced way too high for my wallet even at PC prices and I'm pretty much a confirmed "change at 10K" guy anyway.

I've been using M1 oil and filters in the Altima and Corolla with changes at 10K but am pondering going back to Amsoil for the Accord as I used to use it many years ago in my cars and still use it for my cycles. Back in those days there was only one quality level...their best. Now it looks a good?, better, & best. Sorta like Mobil.

Thoughts?

 

[mechtech2]

It sure does seem odd that that fine company would make oil for only 3k, nowadays.
Maybe it's old data that is no longer valid?

 

[demarpaint]

They want to compete with Sopus, Mobil, and the others. Increase sales, increase market share, business 101. You nailed it when you said this:


Originally Posted By: tc1446
Now it looks a good?, better, & best. Sorta like Mobil.

Thoughts?

 

[fdcg27]

If I'm not mistaken, OE is an API compliant oil, so it would be appropriate to use while your Accord is in warranty.
Is XL an API compliant oil?
If so, you could also use it without endangering your warranty.
It should be as good as any other mostly Grp III oil for whatever drain interval the MM of your Accord calls for.
I'm sure that Pablo will correct me if I'm mistaken, but I think that OE and XL are mostly Grp III, while SSO is mostly Grp IV.
SSO (ASM) is Amsoil's best passenger car oil, intended for long drain use, with UOAs done to verify the length to which it can be run.
Why wouldn't Amsoil offer a lower performance oil at a lower price point?
Most other blenders do.

 

[tc1446]

Mechtech2: the info is current, however, upon reading further I see that they claim its good for however long the MM says. Personally, I wouldn't be comfortable with this. This is what they say:

AMSOIL OE Synthetic Motor Oil helps provide better wear control, improved high- and low-temperature protection and increased fuel economy compared to conventional oils. The oil drain interval recommendations for many of today’s vehicles extend well beyond the traditional 3,000-mile interval, especially when electronic oil monitoring systems are employed. AMSOIL OE Oil provides excellent protection and performance for the entire length of the original equipment manufacturer’s recommended drain interval.

 

[Artem]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
It sure does seem odd that that fine company would make oil for only 3k, nowadays.
Maybe it's old data that is no longer valid?


The OE line is good for whatever your OEM manufacturer recommends you run your oil change intervals for. Amsoil says "Its advanced synthetic technology resists chemical breakdown for maximum wear protection (and peace of mind) well beyond the traditional 3,000-mile oil change interval." they also state "The oil drain interval recommendations for many of today’s vehicles extend well beyond the traditional 3,000-mile interval, some up to 12,000 miles with electronic oil monitoring systems. AMSOIL OE Oils provide excellent protection and performance for the entire length of the original equipment manufacturer’s recommended drain interval."

I've used Amsoil OE in my 2007 Civic for 8,000 miles and the UOA showed i could go 10k if i wanted too.

I've used Amsoil XL in the same Civic for 9,000 miles and the UOA showed 1.9 TBN remaining, so it won't last much beyond 10k (which is what it's rated for by Amsoil "Formulated for up to 10,000-miles/six month intervals, or longer when recommended in owners’ manuals or indicated by oil monitoring systems."

I've used Amsoil OE in my 98 Camry V6 for 5-7k miles with 2.0+ TBN remaining, so the oil is good for up to 10k easy!

@ around $4.20 a quart, i personally feel its a better value then the XL.

It's best to get your facts straight

 

[WANG]

From seeing some UOAs on Amsoil OE on here, it looks like a perfectly viable alternative to big brand synthetics to me.

Can't imagine what about OE would make someone uncomfortable with running it for a manufacturer recommended interval

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
They want to compete with Sopus, Mobil, and the others. Increase sales, increase market share, business 101. You nailed it when you said this:


Originally Posted By: tc1446
Now it looks a good?, better, & best. Sorta like Mobil.

Thoughts?




Even the least of the M1 oils has a 10K warranty.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
They want to compete with Sopus, Mobil, and the others. Increase sales, increase market share, business 101. You nailed it when you said this:


Originally Posted By: tc1446
Now it looks a good?, better, & best. Sorta like Mobil.

Thoughts?




Even the least of the M1 oils has a 10K warranty.


Yes they do.

 

[SZR48207]

They made the capital investment to make oil, period. More power to them if they can produce something in each price category.

 

[52pu]

I have a 09 civic 5 speed automatic, use 0w20 or 5w20 amsoil whatever i have on the shelf, change the oil filter every 6 months and flush everything every year. Amsoil Universal ATF in the tranny changing the inline filter every year. In 2012 we did the route 66 trip, out west on the flats it did 54 mpg, not too shabby for a little car loaded down on the shocks.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: tc1446
Looking at their current line up of motor oils I find three diff "qualities" to choose from and I'm baffled as to why they offer that lower quality oil. Basically they have:

ASM...top grade......good for 15 to 25K
XL....middle grade...good for 10K or more.
OE....lowest grade...good for "3K or well beyond".

Why would anyone want to use the OE grade? Has to be some really cheap stuff to justify only 3k or beyond. I mean, why bother, what with all the readily avail brands on the market that I have to assume are better for less money. Is it even in the same catagory as store brand synthetics like O'Reilly, Peak, Napa?

I would consider the XL suitable for my '13 Accord 4 cyl, as the Preferred Customer price is less than M1, PP, etc unless you get them at a killer sale.

Their top quality ASM is priced way too high for my wallet even at PC prices and I'm pretty much a confirmed "change at 10K" guy anyway.

I've been using M1 oil and filters in the Altima and Corolla with changes at 10K but am pondering going back to Amsoil for the Accord as I used to use it many years ago in my cars and still use it for my cycles. Back in those days there was only one quality level...their best. Now it looks a good?, better, & best. Sorta like Mobil.

Thoughts?


The oe grade is a competitive product meant to compete with less expensive brands and still maintain warantee.I think the way they see it is why spend big bucks on oil when you have to change it according to eom regulations.
Its a waste of money in their eyes to drain a lomg drain oil at manufacturer specified intervals.
Kind of echos a member here when he advises using a cheaper oil for short drains,seems like amsoil feels the same way.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
They want to compete with Sopus, Mobil, and the others. Increase sales, increase market share, business 101. You nailed it when you said this:

Now it looks a good?, better, & best. Sorta like Mobil.

Thoughts?




Even the least of the M1 oils has a 10K warranty. [/quI assume you arent referring to mobil 5000 and such,just the M1 line,correct?

 

[04SVT]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
They want to compete with Sopus, Mobil, and the others. Increase sales, increase market share, business 101. You nailed it when you said this:


Originally Posted By: tc1446
Now it looks a good?, better, & best. Sorta like Mobil.

Thoughts?




Even the least of the M1 oils has a 10K warranty.


True...but M1 can't be found for under 5.80ish a quart unless you find it on sale. OTOH, by the time shipping and is paid; the Amsoil still cost ~$2.00 more an oil change than M1.

 

[DragRace]

Originally Posted By: 04SVT
Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
They want to compete with Sopus, Mobil, and the others. Increase sales, increase market share, business 101. You nailed it when you said this:


Originally Posted By: tc1446
Now it looks a good?, better, & best. Sorta like Mobil.

Thoughts?




Even the least of the M1 oils has a 10K warranty.


True...but M1 can't be found for under 5.80ish a quart unless you find it on sale. OTOH, by the time shipping and is paid; the Amsoil still cost ~$2.00 more an oil change than M1.


For myself personally,I wouldnt worry about the extra $2.00,I'd still rather use Amsoil then Mobil,just me.

 

[tc1446]

Thanks folks for the feedback. Its the kind of info I was looking for. Since I have a local distributor of Amsoil and already use it in my Can Am, I'm likely to go with the OE to begin with in the Accord and after a couple of changes will do a lab test to see how it fares.

 

[Norm Olt]

One word answer to OP'S ? : WARRANTY

 

[gonefishing]

I was looking at the properties between all three Amsoil 0W-20 grades on their website. There isn't much difference between the OE and the XL except for the XL having a 1.0 higher TBN rating. For the price increase of the XL over the OE, the OE looks like a better buy and should have no problem going the distance as Artem mentioned (and Cake sang about).

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: gonefishing
I was looking at the properties between all three Amsoil 0W-20 grades on their website. There isn't much difference between the OE and the XL except for the XL having a 1.0 higher TBN rating. For the price increase of the XL over the OE, the OE looks like a better buy and should have no problem going the distance as Artem mentioned (and Cake sang about).


OE and XL are the same base oils.