Originally Posted By: Pablo
You can stick your head in the sand and/or you can mock Amsoil, I don't really care - but to start an argument with "manufacturers give consumers warranties" is at best an ignorant statement, and false, shaky logic footing.
You pay for every part of that warranty in the long run. Sometimes manufacturers eat most or part of their warranty reserve (if they have one), but over time customers pay for warranties.
I should know better than to jump into this discussion but here goes anyway...
Amsoil and their dealers on sites like this love to tell us the car mfg can not require this and can not require that and to listen to Amsoil about what you can do. One of the biggest falsehoods they love to put out there is that extending the OCI beyond what the new car mfg sets for limits will not put your new car warranty at risk( I disagree completely and notice I said put at RISK not void ). They try and use the Magnuson-Moss act to prove their stance but have twisted it like so many other aftermarket companies have to suit their agenda.
The MMA was never intended to let you do whatever you want. Amsoil constantly says the car mfg must prove such and such to void warranty. Not true if you use the wrong parts, fluids, don't perform maintenance on time, etc... That takes needing to prove anything away. The MMA was intended to allow customers some freedom of choice as far as brands and where the work is done or even to do it yourself and still keep the warranty. It also allows some mild modification without risking the entire warranty. It does not allow you to disregard what the car mfg says to do/not do however. The car mfg actually has a right to set some conditions on the customer to preserve their warranty. OCI length is one of those rights they have.
I have always found it highly amusing the way Amsoil and their followers say it is ok to disregard what the car mfg says about maintenance( i.e. oil changes )but their own warranty requires the customer to follow very strict guidelines for it to cover them should a problem arise. They set mileage limits just as the car mfg does. The car mfg apparantly has no right to set conditions for warranty coverage but it is ok for Amsoil to do it.
In furtherence of my views( and Franks and others )take note of how almost every other oil mfg you can name says to follow the car mfg's requirements while under warranty. Even companies like Mobil 1 and Royal Purple with extended drain capable oils. They flat out tell you follow the owner's manual for OCI length until warranty is out! If you could ignore the car mfg's requirements as Amsoil claims these other oil companies would be saying to run their oil to the max and that it won't cause issues with a new car warranty. They know better though.
This is not a shot at the quality of products from Amsoil either. Very good stuff. Just commenting on the warranty issue. For me there is no way I disregard very clear requirements in my owner's manual and extend beyond the max time and/or mileage the car mfg, that is providing my warranty, allows me. Yes, I bought the warranty when I bought the car BUT there are conditions and requirements I have to comply with to preserve it and use it if needed.
I have been on both sides of the warranty counter( customer and dealership service )and I know what happens when you don't follow the owner's manual info. We have seen multiple people on this very site post of problems and having to provide proof proper maintenance was done to get the work covered by warranty( most recently that Toyota 4Runner about 8-12 months back ). I personally will follow the owner's manual provided to me with my car that clearly spells out my obligations to preserve my warranty vs listening to some aftermarket company with no stake in that warranty.
If Amsoil is a person's preferred oil then by all means use it( again very good stuff )but to me OE and XL are the only options that make sense until warranty is expired. After that knock yourself out.
