to amsoil or to not

[Bandit1]

i currently use a highly recomended grade of oil sold by a mennonite retailer, called king oil. i was considering switching to amsoil but i am unsure of the good and bads about it. any help would be appreciated,

 

[Don M]

I do it for extended oil drain intervals. I travel alot in the rig. 200,000 miles in 3 years. The less I have to change the oil the better!



Other than that... . here we go again



MGM, you out there?



Don~

 

[illflem]

From the book Synthetic Lubricants and High Performance Functional Fluids



The performance benefits demonstrated by the various tests that have been described are meaningful to the automotive engineer or tribologist, but the average consumer is most interested in how much savings the use of a PAO-based product (snythetic) is going to generate.

This case describes the results of one study that considered both the increased fuel economy and the extended oil drain interval made possible with part- and full-synthetic PAO crankcase oils. The original calculations have been updated to reflect current prices for gasoline and oil in North America. The calculations are based on 15,000 miles of driving and a “do-it-yourself” oil change regimen. A pump price of $1. 20/gal for gasoline has been chosen, and the oil has been priced at $1, $2, and $4/qt for the mineral oil, the part-synthetic, and the full-synthetic, respectively. If the oil is changed every 5,000 miles, there is almost no cost differential for the three oils because of the improved fuel economy gained with the synthetics. For the 15,000 mile distance, the savings over the mineral oil formulation is $3 with the part-synthetic oil, and a deficit of $3 is experienced with the full synthetic. If, however, there is only one drain for the full synthetic, the savings goes up to $11. In Europe, where gasoline is much more expensive and the differential in oil prices is less, the savings accrued by the use of synthetic crankcase oils will be much greater.



The use of lighter grades of crankcase oil is one answer to the need for increased fuel economy. The possible downside to this strategy would be a concurrent increase in oil consumption and the loss of sufficient high temperature viscosity for adequate engine protection. Studies show, however, that properly formulated PAO-based synthetic crankcase oils, with wide multigrade SAE performance classifications, can outperform mineral oil based formulations in both fuel and oil consumption, while maintaining superior engine protection.



Here's a lengthy debate on the matter

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4842

 

[Extreme1]

What illflem said....

As mentioned above, as you extend the oil drain interval, your savings increases. To maximize your drain interval safely you need a bypass filter set up and regular oil analysis.



There are several ways to skin a cat as the saying goes. You will proably find several here.



On my truck I haven't changed oil for 3 years but I do add 1 quart of make up oil every 3000 miles. I change the full flow filter every 18,000 miles when I do the analysis. The original bypass filter is still working fine but the winter road salt is taking it toll. (I mounted it behind the crossmember under the radiator) I will probably break down and replace it soon.

 

['956Wheel]

My Uncle Jack put 497,000+ miles on a 94 using DELO 400 and makeup as needed with 8,000 mile changes. He tows trailers for Fleetwood all over the western states. Jack sold the Dodge to get one of those Freightliners with a CAT... . more power and comfort.



The boys here will always argue with success, but thats o. k. Do what you feel like doing its your money!



Mike

 

[Briar Hopper]

To me, there are bigger advantages than extended oil drain intervals, to be gained by using synthetic engine oil. It's wintertime, guys ! Synthetic protects your engine a lot better in the winter. Try this : stick a bottle of Amsoil in the freezer, right next to a bottle of Rotella or Delo or Premium Blue, take 'em out after 24 hours, see which one pours easier and faster... . Well, which oil do you think is going to make it up to the top of your engine faster? I work 12 hour shifts, and have no place to plug in the block heater on my truck at work.

All the talk about not shutting off the engine until pre-turbo temps cool to 300 degrees? My turbo is protected if something happens, and I have to shut down at a temperature higher than that. The synthetic oil can withstand temperature extremes much better than regular oil. Regular oil can coke on the turbo bearings, if you shut down hot.

Yes, you can save money and time on extended oil drain intervals. That's fine, but all I'm interested in is protecting that engine, and with Amsoil in the whole truck from front to back, I can sleep easy at night!

 

[Floor It]

Go with Amsoil,you cant go wrong with it. To some there is not alot to be gained with it,in their opinion,in mine though there is. Either way you wont hurt your engine and I think your engine will like you better for putin it in John

 

[Red Rocket]

amsoil

I have amsoil in my truck now, for about 500 miles, but I did nothing with the filters, what is the difference in the bypass filters, and should i get one.

 

[Floor It]

Not all the oil goes through the filter,it gets by-passed,so the by-pass filter will filter that oil. I recomened it,your oil can never be too clean!