quick question - engine oil

[onlinealias]

Originally Posted by JCL

I respectfully disagree. I don't think this is outstanding information, but rather dubious marketing information. The 4-ball wear test (ASTM D4172) is a data point, sure, but it is not generally considered very relevant to what goes on inside an operating engine. You can improve the test results with friction modifiers that have no effect on your engine. The test is run at one temperature, at one RPM, and at one bearing load. Testing at different temperatures, RPMs, and bearing loads can produce contrary results.

Instead of tests run by oil companies, promoting their own products, consider following SAE, API, and other standards. They are at least independent. The Amsoil product in question meets API SM (0-30 listed above). I use Castrol 5-30 (which additionally meets BMW viscosity specs) and it is also an SM oil. According to the API, then, the two products are equal. Both also meet GF-4, ACEA A5, GM 4718M and 6094M, Ford WSS-M2C929-A, etc. Pretty much the same from an independent test standard.

I don't think there is anything wrong at all with the Amsoil product, as it meets the above specs. I do have a problem with oil companies using these types of marketing approaches, and so I tend to not forgive them their sins, and just blacklist them on principle. That extends to all of their products, including the transmission fluid. But that is just me

IMO, any of the name brand oils that meet current specs are fine, I don't think there is any measurable difference between them. I know you can find differences in a lab, but I am not convinced that it will show up in the real world.

I agree whole hartedly. If they are willing to dupe a buyer by using some narrow test that hardly means anything, where else are they duping or otherwise being dishonest. That ploy takes Amsoil off my list.

[Big "J"]

Geez guys...... your getting paralysis from too much analysis. There has to be a "what if" factor here.

What if- Amsoil truly is better and provides incredible protection to wear and viscosity breakdown.

What if -Amsoil did try dubious marketing tactics to perk up their flat sales.

We won't know.... but, some like and trust their product. It may be worth every penny and it may be a knife in the heart.

[vinuneuro]

Marketing information or not, used oil analysis never lies. Amsoil and German Castrol (0W-30) have proven themselves time over again. Bobistheoilguy.com is the largest oil forum in world and has plenty of tech and oil analysis available.

[Tomaz]

I have no investment in Amsoil, I just want the best oil for my engine. The Amsoil "4 ball" test, and other tests showing Amsoil as superior are done by independent labs. If you can show me a test indicating another oil is superior, I'll buy it.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Big "J"

Geez guys...... your getting paralysis from too much analysis. There has to be a "what if" factor here.

What if- Amsoil truly is better and provides incredible protection to wear and viscosity breakdown.

What if -Amsoil did try dubious marketing tactics to perk up their flat sales.

We won't know.... but, some like and trust their product. It may be worth every penny and it may be a knife in the heart.

I think of analysis paralysis as being unable to make a decision due to an inability to discriminate between sets of data. Not the situation here at all.

If Amsoil is better (and I don't think it is any worse than any other API SM oil), then why do they use tests that are not designed for engine oil? Why is their marketing full of these types of claims? Why do they want you to be a dealer and sell their product for them? Just seems too much like a pyramid scheme selling Amway dish soap to me.

Again, I don't think it is a bad oil, I just think that questionable marketing practices should be punished. I wouldn't say it is an incredible oil, just that by industry standard tests, it is an equivalent oil. But, if it makes you feel good, by all means buy it. Oh, and I think we do know....search the web for information on how many of these name brand oils that meet the same specifications have caused an oil-related engine failure in a BMW, or any documented premature engine wear. Pretty hard to find any cases.