Amsoil Synthetic motor oil---What weight?

[scaryfast]

I'm going to order some Amsoil synthetic oil for my Cummins but I'm confused about what weight to use. I'm towing about 5000 pounds up and down the Rocky Mountains every weekend.

 

[Riflesmith]

Amsoil makes an oil that may fit your year-round needs. It is a 10W-40 oil that meets or exceeds all the specs our engines require. It has a much lower viscosity at low tempratures than their 15W-40 oil, but still provides the high temperature protection of a 40W. Here is a link to the product information:

http://www.amsoil.com/products/amo.html

 

[klenger]

scaryfast



Larkspur, huh. I helped a friend of mine build a log home in Larkspur a few years ago. Nice town. They moved to MN, and now I've moved to Tucson. I miss them and Colorado.

 

[Champane Flight]

Small

I would not worry about a lower weight for your Cummins in Larkspurs climate. I have run 15-40 marine for the last seven years with no cold starting problems in all types of mountain settings. Have fun SC.

 

[HC]

Riflesmith,

I'm an Amsoil user, but this gives a good example of why I (and perhaps others) sometimes get frustrated with their marketing. When I go to their link, I find a 10W-40 oil that "looks" like it should be our very first choice. Four-ball wear (which some feel inappropriate, but that's another issue) that is competitive (out to the 3rd decimal place) with the 5W-30 oil Amsoil says is "best" for our application; volatility that is very close to the thicker 15W-40 (addresses those with blow-by bottle concerns), pour point that is lower than Delvac 1 5W-40, and a nice, thick -40 designator that soothes the nerves of those who tow heavy or just want a viscosity closer to what the owner's manual calls for. All the ratings for HD diesels appear to match the 15W-40 option, and a few are included that the "best" 5W-30 doesn't list, which makes me think the 15W-40 really is the better HD option, not the 5W-30 as the Amsoil tech line will tell you. So here's what rubs me - why is this oil not even listed under the Heavy Duty truck link with the other options? In other words, is there a catch, cost or otherwise?



I know you've always shot straight info on this board, so my frustration is not aimed at you in any way, it's more of a request to help me understand Amsoil's logic for listing other oils in both the "car" and "truck" categories, and listing this one only under "car" even when it carries so many diesel ratings. Or is it just that I expect too much out of their web page?



Now that I've gotten all that off my chest, do you have any personal opinions about the 10W-40? Have any customers or friends using it in their trucks?

 

[Riflesmith]

HC,

I will be switching to the 10W-40 on my next change. There are a number of people using it in the VW TDI engine that report great results on Fred's TDI Page. It provides the high temperature protection of a 40W at high temps without being quite as thick as Amsoil 15W-40. This results in less of a fuel economy penalty. I speak from first hand experience that there is a fuel economy penalty using Amsoil 15W-40 oil versus their 5W30. I couldn't make myself comfortable with the long-term protective qualities of a 30W at high temps.



I think Amsoil is making a mistake by not touting their 10W-40 as a heavy duty diesel oil. It may be Amsoil's best kept secret for our trucks and it costs only a little more than the 15W-40.

 

[JCyrbok]

10w40 amsoil

Im going to Amsoil in about a month and had not previously considered the 10w40 that they offer. I looked over all of the specs and it looks like I have a winner here. It appeares that it wil adress all of my concerns ie: wide temp range in Mich, usually shorter trips, and wear protection at start up. Thanks for the point in the right direction rifleman.



Amsoil should really market this to diesel owners, I think that they would make even more money.



J-

 

[kevincook]

Series 3000 5W40, I have been told it is new and improved! Either in MI winter or Texas summer!



KC

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

kevincook, where did you find out about Series 3000 5W40? I would be happy if Amsoil did this oil, I am running Mobil Delvac 1 to get this weight but I can only get it in a case of four 1-gallon containers. Quart sizes would be nice.



I didn't see anything on Amsoil's website about it. It will probably be mighty spendy like the 5W30 though



I tried the 5W30 once but found it too light for hot summers here, wear metal numbers were markedly higher than what I got with the 15W40.



Vaughn

 

[Riflesmith]

I am unaware of a 5W-40 product made by Amsoil. It may be important to compare viscosity profiles for Amsoil 10W-40 with Mobil Delvac 1 5W-40.



Viscosity at 40 deg. C: Amsoil, 79. 2 centistokes. Mobil, 95 centistokes.



Viscosity at 100 deg. C: Amsoil, 14 centistokes. Mobil, 15 centistokes.



It would appear that Amsoil 10W-40 fits the 5W-40 criteria more closely than Mobil Delvac 1.

 

[LoneRam]

What about me

I will be switching to amsoil next week. I too am not sure about what weight for my mild climate? Lows around 65 and highs never more than 90, also running a 180 t-stat which never moves. I don't tow anything and will not for at least the next year or so. Just curious. Thanks



LoneRam

 

[kevincook]

Originally posted by Riflesmith

I am unaware of a 5W-40 product made by Amsoil. It may be important to compare viscosity profiles for Amsoil 10W-40 with Mobil Delvac 1 5W-40.



Viscosity at 40 deg. C: Amsoil, 79. 2 centistokes. Mobil, 95 centistokes.



Viscosity at 100 deg. C: Amsoil, 14 centistokes. Mobil, 15 centistokes.



It would appear that Amsoil 10W-40 fits the 5W-40 criteria more closely than Mobil Delvac 1.

Sorry gang it is a 5W-30 oil, its four ball wear test is . 396 compaired to Mobil Delvac 1200 super 15w-40 . 619!



KC

 

[fest3er]

Re: What about me

Originally posted by LoneRam
I will be switching to amsoil next week. I too am not sure about what weight for my mild climate? Lows around 65 and highs never more than 90, also running a 180 t-stat which never moves. I don't tow anything and will not for at least the next year or so. Just curious. Thanks

LoneRam

You should do quite well with the 15W40 HD Diesel and Marine. Since you 'never' see temps under 30F, you certainly don't need a 5W or 10W oil.

Fest3er

 

[HC]

Re: What about me

Lows around 65 and highs never more than 90, also running a 180 t-stat which never moves... [/B]

You're not asking a question! You're just rubbing our noses in your superior weather, aren't you?

 

[LoneRam]

The grass is always greener my friend. Focus on the things you have in life, not the things you don't

 

[Champane Flight]

Easy

Easy for someone from HI. to say.

 

[LoneRam]

Opps

You know, now that I think about it, I was wrong in what I said before..... I've never seen it below 70



Yes my friend, I live in "paradise" It's always beautiful here and the scenery is spectacular. Life just doesn't get any better than this, right? Wrong!



I've spent more money in shipping than alot have in products. I have this kick a$$ truck and no one to play with. No may maddness. No sled pulls. No ralleys. No road trips here or there. There isn't even a dyno for me in this state.



It's very easy to focus on the downsides of our lives, but the truth is we all make decisions that usually put us where we are at.



I've lived in Colorado and loved it. Left to join the Coast Guard and that's how I ended up here. No skiing here



So again I say, be happy in life with all that you have.



LoneRam

 

[Ted Constantine]

Rifle-

I would love to see how the 10-40 works. I have been running the series 3000 for about 38k now and just loose to much of the stuff out the breather. I am not interested in going to 15w40 unless I have to.



What 10w40 is it that you are going to use?



Ted

 

[kevincook]

Originally posted by Ted Constantine

Rifle-

I would love to see how the 10-40 works. I have been running the series 3000 for about 38k now and just loose to much of the stuff out the breather. I am not interested in going to 15w40 unless I have to.



What 10w40 is it that you are going to use?



Ted

Ted did you see any mileage increase in using the 3000 series oil?



KC

 

[1tuffram]

I've been using the Series 3000 for about the last 3 yrs or 25,000 miles. I have decided to switch back to Amsoil 15W-40. My reasons are: 1) I've noticed more blow-by from the breather and subsuquent more oil drips in the drive-way, 2) I never noticed the increased fuel mileage Amsoil claims. 3) I have run the same series 3000 for last 3 yrs (2 yrs of which has been very short trip city driving... less than 3 miles round trip to work and back) with only full flow filter and oil analysis still looks good. I'm sold on Amsoil's ability to hold up for extended drain intervals without needing fancy by-pass filtration. I however am not really comfortable with going so long between oil changes (especially with the short trip drives I do), so have decided to switch back to the more cost effective 15W-40 and change it once a year.



These are just my observations and opinions with Amsoil.