Amsoil???

[ray66v]

I have used ATM & HDD, Both are good. I use Amsoil because I like their "clever marketing", and their reputation. I also have a friend that worked as an Engineer at TRW doing failure analysis on engines and he uses it. I will not however, say it is better than any other oil, I don't care if it is. It is good enough for me. As far as the cost goes, you can leave it in longer, making the cost difference zero. I don't worry about it. I change the oil in my tractor once a year, (50 hrs.), and the price is not going to break me.

 

[MikePA]

There are various types of synthetic oils, depending on what they use as a base stock and the additive package. As kenmac indicated, there's a treasure trove of information available for those willing to take the time to search this forum.

Better is a subjective term. It's like asking is an Acura TL better than a Chevy Impala. Better for what purpose? The issue is whether the better attributes of synthetic oil, e.g., better cold temperature flow characteristics, provide benefit in someone's specific situation. Typically, synthetic oils have better additive packages so they last longer but if you change your oil every 50 hours synthetic oil may not be better for you.

Amsoil (and Redline and Royal Purple) charge what they do because people are willing to pay it. Only Amsoil knows what, if any part of what they charge is related to how they market their products.

 

[ChesapeakeMarine]

There are various types of synthetic oils, depending on what they use as a base stock and the additive package. As kenmac indicated, there's a treasure trove of information available for those willing to take the time to search this forum.

Better is a subjective term. It's like asking is an Acura TL better than a Chevy Impala. Better for what purpose? The issue is whether the better attributes of synthetic oil, e.g., better cold temperature flow characteristics, provide benefit in someone's specific situation. Typically, synthetic oils have better additive packages so they last longer but if you change your oil every 50 hours synthetic oil may not be better for you.

Amsoil (and Redline and Royal Purple) charge what they do because people are willing to pay it. Only Amsoil knows what, if any part of what they charge is related to how they market their products.

Better meaning, simply, will it protect my engine better than the other brands? I think that's pretty easy to understand...not very subjective. Oh, thanks for the economics lesson Mike

 

[MikePA]

Better meaning, simply, will it protect my engine better than the other brands? I think that's pretty easy to understand...not very subjective. Oh, thanks for the economics lesson Mike

What do you mean by better. Any oil that meets the mfgr API recommendation will protect your engine the same (refer to the other thread you started) when first poured in. So, in that sense it's not 'better'. 100 hours later, 200 hours later, 300 hours later the additive package in the dino oil will probably have deteriorated more than the additive package in most synthetics so a synthetic oil will be protecting your engine 'better'. So, it's not as simple nor as easy to understand as it appears. Kind of like asking if what Amsoil charges is related to how they market.

 

[ray66v]

My tractor sits a lot, so that and the cold weather characteristics are the reason I use synthetic, particularly in the hydrostatic transmission, the recommended warm up times for low temperature operation are unbelievably long with the mineral oil.

 

[ChesapeakeMarine]

What do you mean by better. Any oil that meets the mfgr API recommendation will protect your engine the same (refer to the other thread you started) when first poured in. So, in that sense it's not 'better'. 100 hours later, 200 hours later, 300 hours later the additive package in the dino oil will probably have deteriorated more than the additive package in most synthetics so a synthetic oil will be protecting your engine 'better'. So, it's not as simple nor as easy to understand as it appears. Kind of like asking if what Amsoil charges is related to how they market.

Marketing costs can significantly effect the costs of a product Mike. I guess you made it to economics class but missed accounting Mike.

 

[brandoro]

I have been using Amsoil since the late 70's and got in on their lifetime dealer offer in the early 80's. I don't try to sell it to others, that just lets me buy at dealer price from the warehouse.
I use it in everything, including my fancy BMW car and motorcycle. The Kubota isn't changed over yet but will be next time I service it, 200 hrs. My old Kubota was much happier in the winter after I changed the trans/hydraulic fluid to synthetic. I have run Amsoil to the limits suggested for mileage and time, sent samples in for analysis and never been disappointed with the result. I suspect that most synthetics will give you this kind of result compared to dino oils but, having always been satisfied with the results of what I am using I have never been interested in trying others.
Sort of like my old Kubota, it did everything asked of it, sometimes struggled with being a bit underpowered for some things. When I decided it was time for a new one I went and bought a bit bigger Kubota. Not much of a shopper anyway, I was happy with the old one so got a new one same kind.
My opinion/experience only, you need to find the one that fits your parameters for price, availability and such.

 

[MikePA]

Marketing costs can significantly effect the costs of a product Mike. I guess you made it to economics class but missed accounting Mike.

Thanks for your concern about what classes I attended. I know marketing is one of the costs that determines product price, but your question asked if the way they marketed resulted in higher prices. That's not a simple question to answer.

 

[crashz]

It's not an import. It's a company in Superior Wisconsin. I believe it's the best oil there is. Why? because they say it's the best and if it wasn't you can bet BIG MOBIL 1 would take them to court and that little company in Superior would go POOF! and Amsoil would be no more.

Acutally last I knew, Amsoil buys their basestock PAO from Exxon/Mobil for a premium price. That may have changed since ConocoPhillips started their PAO process.

As far as quality, they are among the best. Amsoil, Mobil1, Royal Purple and Redline are all considered top shelf oils. Amsoil and M1 are the most similar as they are confirmed PAO based (ie real synthetic based) oils with a wide range of applications. You can't go wrong with either of them.

I was an Amsoil dealer, but the price kept skyrocketing and I really hated the pyramid scheme selling. If they start putting it on shelves for a decent price, I'd go back to it in a heartbeat.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Redline oils are a Group V ester based oil if I remember correctly. Another step removed from dino juice (in fact, only related in the sense that it contains hydrocarbons and is a liquid). I've read that Redline is a top choice for racing, and my dad is very happy with it in the transmission and diffs of his Tundra. When I did my research before putting Amsoil in our Dodge, Redline also looked good, but Amsoil looked a little better and was a little less money.

As engine oil for normal street driving I don't think the engine will know the difference. I went premium in gearboxes because the drain intervals are long to begin with, the cost difference was fairly small, and I anticipate the wear difference to be meaningful. I'm not ready to do long OCI's on the engines (I live on a dirt road), so Amsoil/Redline would be more money for very modest benefit, in my usage.