Disillusioned with Amsoil

[BigBird57]

I have been a loyal Amsoil prefered customer for over 5 years. The new formulations namely the "OE" and "XL 10000" appear to be no more than Group III base stock oils. The Signature Series still a Group IV has added more weights but dropped to 25K on the extended OCI.
After all of the type wasted on Group III vs Group IV (see some of the old comparisons via a google search)how did we get to this point?
I will continue to use the 5w30 HDD Series 3000 oil for my Duramax Diesel however I have been put into a position to re- think how to proceed with the gas engine vehicles.

 

[Oregoonian]

M-1 EP.....a good long OCI oil.......good for up to 15K.

 

[simple_gifts]

It is only a big concern if you chose to make it one.

Many people, including myself, don't run the S.S. oils as far as they can.

 

[morepwr]

So you are looking for an oil that can go more than 25K OCI??!!

 

[Lead Shoes]

Originally Posted By: morepwr
So you are looking for an oil that can go more than 25K OCI??!!


Yes, and a wife that makes sandwiches on command

...

 

[BigBird57]

I think the shear economics have taken over. The SS oil delivered is over $11 per quart even at PC pricing. I follow BITOG to look for deals and I now have a stash of RP 5W-20 for $35 for 5qts w/RP filter. This is for a newly aquired 2008 I-4 engine Accord.

 

[jaj]

Originally Posted By: BigBird57
I have been a loyal Amsoil prefered customer for over 5 years. The new formulations namely the "OE" and "XL 10000" appear to be no more than Group III base stock oils. The Signature Series still a Group IV has added more weights but dropped to 25K on the extended OCI.
After all of the type wasted on Group III vs Group IV (see some of the old comparisons via a google search)how did we get to this point?
I will continue to use the 5w30 HDD Series 3000 oil for my Duramax Diesel however I have been put into a position to re- think how to proceed with the gas engine vehicles.


I think I posed this exact question a while ago in another thread:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2490472#Post2490472

 

[BigBird57]

No,
I question the entire reformulation of their line-up. The old 0W-30 SS oil was rated at 35K under ideal operating conditions.
Why was it reduced 10K ?

 

[ckmarsh]

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2204348#Post2204348

OIL RP 5W/30
MILES IN USE 25K 8 MONTHS
MILES 251,136
SAMPLE TAKEN 3/17/2011

ALUMINUM 6
CHROMIUM 2
IRON 28
COPPER 20
LEAD 2
TIN 0
MOLYBDENUM 146
NICKEL 3
MANGANESE 1
SILVER 1
TITANIUM 0
POTASSIUM 7
BORON 11
SILICON 9
SODIUM 52
CALCIUM 2468
MAGNESIUM 1162
PHOSPHORUS 916
ZINC 969
BARIUM 0

INSOLUBLES 0.3
WATER 0
ANTIFREEZE 0
FUEL FLASHPOINT ºF 415
SUS VIS 210ºF 61.5
cSt @ 100ºC 10.65

 

[Gabe]

I am puzzled why Albert keeps trying to sell me probiotics...

 

[Brons2]

Because conditions that it could last 35K in were just about impossible to create, IMO.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Brenden
Yes, and a wife that makes sandwiches on command

...

Oh, I've heard of her... I think her name is Subway.

 

[jaj]

Originally Posted By: BigBird57
...Why was it reduced 10K ?


I should have been clearer - they reduced it because they reformulated it. They reformulated it without notice or discussion, just like the big oil companies do. One day it's one thing, the next day it's something else.

 

[BigBird57]

Interesting,
I actual spoke to the Amsoil engineer who was directly involved with these changes. He would only say that the formulations are proprietary and they now use all basestocks. Just like everyone else! I am still trying to remember "Full Synthetic" is a marketing term.

 

[troyh]

Originally Posted By: BigBird57
I think the shear economics have taken over. The SS oil delivered is over $11 per quart even at PC pricing. I follow BITOG to look for deals and I now have a stash of RP 5W-20 for $35 for 5qts w/RP filter. This is for a newly aquired 2008 I-4 engine Accord.


I get the SSO for $7.75 qt. This is less expensive than buying many other oils by the quart. I have seen the RP for much more than this. You happened to get a deal on that RP. Many do not do that and just go buy when it's time to change.

I may too be disullusioned because I think that Amsoil SSO is better oil (some may be comparable) than RP, M1 (and EP), PU, PP or any other off the shelf syn.

Economically, may save $ in the long run for those that stretch out those OCI's.

 

[BigBird57]

Exactly,
They changed to boost their margin. 2/3's of the line -up use cheaper basestocks. It was purely a business decision. The GF-5 spec received most of the blame. Curses to the Dexos 1.

 

[BigBird57]

I stand corrected. My ZO # gets me $7.85 per qt and $11.85 in shipping (12qt.case). No doubt the SSO is a fine product but it ought to be at these prices.

 

[oilboy123]

I love Amsoil products, but the prices are not for the faint of heart. I run them out pretty far on time/miles. In other words I justify them monetarily because I don't change them very often. I have 50K on the trans fluid, and the last oil change was 10 months 15K. I ran the air filter for 50k as well.

 

[BigBird57]

I do the same thing with the 2005 Duramax. I have the bypass filtration and I only service filters and top off the level. I have 3 UOA's and they have all come back suitable for continued service. I am at 50k with no total oil change.
The line has blurred for me when you use the OLM to schedule service for gas engines. I used to run the Amsoil(PAO) 25k 5w30. That formula is no longer available.
In an effort to appeal to the masses they may loose some of the diehards. Put yo' money down and take your pick.

 

[troyh]

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
I love Amsoil products, but the prices are not for the faint of heart. I run them out pretty far on time/miles. In other words I justify them monetarily because I don't change them very often. I have 50K on the trans fluid, and the last oil change was 10 months 15K. I ran the air filter for 50k as well.


I am using the AZO 0W-30 on the current fill. This will be the first time I am going to run the OLM down to 0 before changing. I expect that to be around 10K. This will take me about 8 months or so.

I use 6 quarts at change. Amsoil will cost me about $47. If I pick up PU I will get a jug, and need another qt, so about $35. $12 over 8 months?

I hope to sample at that time and get a baseline of how long I can run. Then it should be a wash or savings...