Amsoil-use and distributing

[deerefan]

I have been researching Amsoil and may want to switch my 97 F150 over to it, using their 10k mile system. I run dyno 5w-30 Castrol in it now and notice a slight tap when I crank it in the morning until the oil circulates (about 2 seconds). I change it and filter every 5k miles. Have many of you guys used Amsoil? Is it necessary to use their filter or will a good Mobil 1 or Fram filter do? Any oil analysis done to determine if it is living up to the hype? I see they offer a dealer network. Thought if I like the product and can stand behind it may look into doing this. Any advice on this? As always, thanks for any advice whether positive or negative.

 

[davesl708]

From what I have researched T6 holds right there with Amsoil DEO throughout the life cycle. If Ams is readily available the cost increase is not that great.
Depends on how frequent they change interval comes around. If you are doing 12 changes a year then the Ams may get a little pricey compared to the T6.

I use T6 and have no issues working a tractor hard. Especially in the winter.

Hope this is some help.

 

[Copperhead]

The Fram Ultra is a very good filter. Not like the cheaper line and sure not anything related to the problems Fram had with filters several years ago. Wix (Napa Gold) are also great filters. Mobil 1, I have always thought they were pretty good, but some have had reservations lately because the manufacturer for them was changed. I am not sure it quality has been compromised, but some think so.

One thing I have learned about oils and engines in the last 6 million actual miles I have put on various engines in vehicles.... there is no perfect oil and no oil brand will hold up the same in every engine. And while some focus in on the base oil, i.e. synthetic or conventional, the additive package that makes up almost 25% of any motor oil you buy is really the determining factor on how good the oil is. The Petroleum Quality Institute of America has run myriads of tests on all kinds of oils and dozens of brands and they have posted the results for anyone to take a look at. Both gas and diesel varieties. When one takes a look at their findings, a lot of supposed high end oils are not all that much better than some others. And oils that many would barely consider, actually look pretty good in the testings. The key is selecting a good motor oil that offers good results and the best value. Forget all the marketing hype.

Unless you are really good at understanding oil analysis numbers and what they mean, doing UOA's to determine what you should do may not be worth the effort and cost. It is not only a science, but an art form. You have to not only know what the numbers mean, but how they mean what they do in relation to the other numbers in the sample. I have run hundreds of oil samples, and one has to do several on any one engine to develop base lines and trends to make an informed decision. One sample, one time, is not enough. Now, you have to factor in whether you are willing to absorb the cost for doing that and whether it is worth it. For me, commercially, it is worth it. For the average user, well......

Anyway, here is the PQIA website so you can find out various oils stack up according to the testing done by them. Interesting stuff.

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America

Here is the specific testing done a while back on some 5w30 synthetics...

March 2013 - Test Results for AP

By the way, I use the Schaeffer 5w30 synthetic that got tested in this study. I like the high combination of moly and zinc that the additive package contains. They are excellent friction fighters and exceptionally so in combination. Here is a good series of article on why moly is a good thing....

Moly Basics - Bob is the Oil Guy - Bob is the Oil Guy

 

[deerefan]

The Fram Ultra is a very good filter. Not like the cheaper line and sure not anything related to the problems Fram had with filters several years ago. Wix (Napa Gold) are also great filters. Mobil 1, I have always thought they were pretty good, but some have had reservations lately because the manufacturer for them was changed. I am not sure it quality has been compromised, but some think so.

One thing I have learned about oils and engines in the last 6 million actual miles I have put on various engines in vehicles.... there is no perfect oil and no oil brand will hold up the same in every engine. And while some focus in on the base oil, i.e. synthetic or conventional, the additive package that makes up almost 25% of any motor oil you buy is really the determining factor on how good the oil is. The Petroleum Quality Institute of America has run myriads of tests on all kinds of oils and dozens of brands and they have posted the results for anyone to take a look at. Both gas and diesel varieties. When one takes a look at their findings, a lot of supposed high end oils are not all that much better than some others. And oils that many would barely consider, actually look pretty good in the testings. The key is selecting a good motor oil that offers good results and the best value. Forget all the marketing hype.

Unless you are really good at understanding oil analysis numbers and what they mean, doing UOA's to determine what you should do may not be worth the effort and cost. It is not only a science, but an art form. You have to not only know what the numbers mean, but how they mean what they do in relation to the other numbers in the sample. I have run hundreds of oil samples, and one has to do several on any one engine to develop base lines and trends to make an informed decision. One sample, one time, is not enough. Now, you have to factor in whether you are willing to absorb the cost for doing that and whether it is worth it. For me, commercially, it is worth it. For the average user, well......

Anyway, here is the PQIA website so you can find out various oils stack up according to the testing done by them. Interesting stuff.

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America

Here is the specific testing done a while back on some 5w30 synthetics...

March 2013 - Test Results for AP

By the way, I use the Schaeffer 5w30 synthetic that got tested in this study. I like the high combination of moly and zinc that the additive package contains. They are excellent friction fighters and exceptionally so in combination. Here is a good series of article on why moly is a good thing....

Moly Basics - Bob is the Oil Guy - Bob is the Oil Guy

Thanks guys for the very informative input. Copperhead you are correct, I am not familiar enough with the test to be able to decipher what they mean. When I put together a motor, I run break-in oil from Royal Purple for the proper zinc levels for cam break in and then switch to their synthetic after break in. So far no premature cam failures. Amsoil has always intrigued me but I have no experience with it. I have always run dino oil in my 97 F150 and changed every 5k miles. The tapping noise it makes for a second when first cranked got me thinking about a better quality oil such as a synthetic and I saw Amsoil on the shelf at the local co op. Did a google search and found out a few things but wanted to hear first hand experiences.

 

[Bird]

My experience with Amsoil was only to change to their hydraulic oil in my Kubota a few years ago. To the best of my knowledge, Amsoil products are no better, no worse that you can get locally, but I thought I'd never quit getting their stuff in the mail wanting me to participate in their sales tactics.

 

[kenmac]

I run Amsoil ... I like the UOA I get from using Amsoil than the other oils I have tried.. All synthetic oils aren't created equal... You'll find that Amsoil is 1 of the best on the market...Don't take my word for it. Do your own research.. Amsoil ain't no fly by night synthetic oil

 

[coobie]

I would also consider Schaffers oil/grease/fuel additives products.They have been around a long time.

 

[dodge man]

I've been using Amsoil for a few years now. The way the distribute is a little strange, a little like Amway, but I just go on the internet and order it and its at my door in a couple of days. I got bored and read a lot about oil, and oil filters one day. There are better oils for certain applications than Amsoil, for example someone mentioned T6, which is very good also. From what I read, across the board, Amsoil makes a pretty good product.

The main reason I switched is I just change my oil once a year now in all my stuff and it give me the confidence to do that running a good quality oil.