Red Line or Amsoil full synthetic 15w-40 oil.

MikePA · Oct 30, 2004

As I noted in previous threads, you get what you pay for. 
The issue in all the oil threads has never been not getting what you pay for. The issue has been, and will continue to be, is the premium price for synthetics worth it. Since 'worth it' for most people is a subjective question, there will never be a 'right' answer.

I agree, Amsoil and Redline are good oils.

SeymourBota · Oct 30, 2004

Your profile doesn't say where you are located. It must be warm, if you are contemplating 15W-40
I'm a big believer in synthetics. I had a truck once that experienced coolant system failure. It was full of synthetic oil and went the few extra miles it took to get home with no adverse effects on the engine. There is no way dino oil would have handled that stress.
If it is warm where you are, I would go with:
http://www.amsoil.com/products/ame.html
If it gets cold at all, I would go with:
http://www.amsoil.com/products/hdd.html
This is what I run.

I also offer this little tidbit- I own a 350Z and many owners have asked the Amsoil/Redline/Royal Purple/ Mobil 1 question.
I have never heard complaints about any of them as far as engine oils are concerned. Gear lube is another issue. Redline makes you mix 2 different products together for that application and some who have tried have experienced degraded shifting and switched out. Several of us that run Amsoil all experienced marked improvements to shifting and only needed to buy one product.

gsxr1100 · Oct 31, 2004

Look at the additive pkg and basestock when new. Some group 1 to 3 are very low in additive pkg's. Also the TBN of these is about 6 to 8 and that is too low for me.

Reline, Amsoil and LE have some of the best #'s I have seen when new. Mobil Delvac is a good oil but hence the $$$ is lower and the oil test show lower #'s when new. That oil is not up to par with the oils I listed above.

Again, you get what you pay for. the dino oils are not even close to the synthetic for duration, shear, temps, etc.

Did you spend $15K on a tractor to put oil that is for example, 600ppm of Zn of 900 of Ca? I know I would not want that oil in my cars,truck,bike...etc

MikePA · Oct 31, 2004

...the dino oils are not even close to the synthetic for duration, shear, temps, etc. 
Who said they were? I didn't.

 Did you spend $15K on a tractor to put oil that is for example, 600ppm of Zn of 900 of Ca?
Are you saying that if I use a dino oil, of the recommended classification and weight, and change the oil and filter at the recommended intervals, I will do damage to my engine?

gsxr1100 · Oct 31, 2004

( ...the dino oils are not even close to the synthetic for duration, shear, temps, etc. 
Who said they were? I didn't.)

I know that but again, the least expensive oil is just that the bare “min” to use. If you like that, the bar min, then use it.

( Did you spend $15K on a tractor to put oil that is for example, 600ppm of Zn of 900 of Ca?
Are you saying that if I use a dino oil, of the recommended classification and weight, and change the oil and filter at the recommended intervals, I will do damage to my engine? )

Weight has zero to do with it. If you think that dino oil with its low physical properties protect as good, something is wrong. No there will be do damage but you will have higher wear rates, higher Nit and Oxid’s, lower ZDDP and lower TBN since the cheaper least expensive oils degrade very very fast. If you like more Al, Pb, Cu etc in your oil use them. Also if you use them you will NEED to drain very soon since again the properties of these oils do not hold up. Hence that is why I state, "you get what you pay for”. Throw in heat, stress etc. good luck.

gsxr1100 · Oct 31, 2004

Dargo -- You really do not need to find a dealer. If you just do some homework and compare the original oil tests (unused) you will see what will perform better.

If the oil has certain low characteristics you better find another oil. Example, if TBN is low along with P, Zn Ca and Mg I would personally look for a better oil.

Dargo · Oct 31, 2004

Well, apparently there are no takers for getting any Amsoil outside of their over priced pyramid marketing technique, so I can't compare it directly with the Mobil 1 Delvac synthetic oil in the same vehicle under the same conditions for the same duration. I don't pay full retail plus for anything. If I can't go to the store and buy it, I don't need it. I'll buy stuff online to save money; not to over pay. Oh well, in browsing diesel boards for the last 6 years, I've never heard of anyone having any engine trouble using the Mobil 1 Delvac synthetic, and I can actually go to the store and buy it at half the price.
As far as "you get what you pay for", move to Hawaii. I just came from there last week. A hamburger, hot dog and two soft drinks cost over $50! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif They didn't tast any different, but I guess they were better for me because they cost 5 times as much. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

gsxr1100, you know I'm just ragging you. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I don't doubt at all that Amsoil is great stuff, I'm just not going to pay twice retail of other stuff that is arguably of equal quality. It is only their marketing technique that I dislike. I see why most people think it is a product of Amway. But hey, if they can get people to pay that amount, it works for them.

Dargo · Oct 31, 2004

I generally go to bobistheoilguy web site for oil comparisons. You'll notice that Amsoil and Mobil are both site sponsors. I found that site when several guys kept swearing that Shell Rotella was the best stuff made period. If you believe the oil analysis process and the information posted on bobistheoilguy website, the Shell Rotella stuff does not stand up to the high quality synthetics.
Heck, I even spent 2 hours deeply studying his link to how oil is refined from crude to what we use. It was actually interesting. It made me remember why I hated all the formulas in college chemistry. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

gsxr1100 · Oct 31, 2004

I have many shops in my city that sell it. The dealer price is cheaper but the shipping is what kills ya.

Again do not knock it unless you have tried it. I have tried others when I had my Powerstroke and the Cummins oil, ford, Mobil did not hold up as well. I never tried Redline but the un-used oil tests look very nice...Along with Fleetguard and L.E. oils.

here is this for an example. I use Amsoil 15w-40 HDD&M oil in my Bx22. I was a dealer a few years ago but stopped but my logon still works! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

1 qt at dealer price is $4.10 Retail is $5.35 BUT add the shipping (.35 per lb) of the qt and you get $4.80. Wow you saved $0.55 WHOA.

Another example is:

1-case is $47 and retail is $63. Shipping is $9.00 for the case. So 47+9=$56 ..you save $0.58 per qt for the case. joy.

Get my point.

Now you can get a commercial account and get things even cheaper but you need to buy in cases. ..which sucks at times.

I have gone to that site and most users are great! Some are just selling a product. Again just look at the #'s and do some homework. The numbers are the key to a great oil.

So back to the topic either oil Redline or Amsoil has a great additive package and can go longer them most oils.

Based on my oil tests in my bike and car, the oil works great! Most people whine and complain and say this and that, I just say where are your oil tests? Then the case is closed.

My wifes car I do not do oil tests since the ML needs synthetic right off the start. I do 17K drains which is every six months!

PS I used to hate there marketing but what company is not like that? Most are.

hwew · Oct 31, 2004

Thanks everyone for your input. I went out and bought Amsoil heavy duty 15-40 Industrial/Marine oil and changed it and ran it for 1/2 hour. I notice that the kubota now idles almost a 100 RPM's higher. That impressed me. I'll let everyone know where the idle it on cold start up. Oh I live in eastern North Carolina it might get down to 20 degrees for a couple days in the winter. Will Amsoil heavy duty 15-40 Industrial/Marine oil be ok?