Anyway, one of the big takeaways for me is that Dan has explained that, concerning synthetic engine oils, most brands are "full" synthetic, whereas Amsoil engine oils are "100%" synthetic. The difference being that "full" synthetic oil uses synthetic only for the base oil; the additive carrier oil is likely to not be synthetic for economy sake. Amsoil engine oils are the same type of synthetic for both the base and carrier oils. The term "full synthetic" would obviously lead most people to believe that it means 100% synthetic, but, the terminology is allowed to be used for these "not completely synthetic oils".
No, you are being sold a bill of good by this guy.
The carrier oil is there to provide solubility, because Group III/III+ and IV bases essentially have none. The more severe the hydotreating/cracking process, the less polarity and solubility remain. PAO is the worst for solubility, so if SS was PAO with a PAO carrier, the additive package would not stay in suspension. So, the additive package is combined with a higher solubility base to keep it in suspension. This can be a Group I/II base, or an ester, or AN. It has absolutely nothing to do with economy.
Also, when it comes to Group III oils, there can be various levels of Hydrocraking in its production, leading to various levels of the resultant performance of the end product. Amsoil Group III oils (Not Signature Series),
Signature series contains Group III as well, where it makes sense. AMSOIL uses a blend of bases.
are all made using severe hydrocracking, resulting in top performance for the group III category. Other brands may use only hydrotreated (a less processed oil) oils, and even then, only in the base oil - not the additive carrier oil - and can still legally say they are "full synthetic". Guess this may explain why some "full synthetic" oils have such an attractive price.
Both terms mean the same thing. Shell's GTL bases are typically referred to as "severely hydrotreated", and they are Group III+.
Here's an example AMSOIL SDS, which shows 25-50% PAO, 10-17% Group III:
See the 64742-54-7 CAS #? That's Group III, which you also see in some of the Mobil 1 SDS sheets:
The Distillates, Heavy, 848301-69-9, is GTL, which is Group III+.
After learning this and using the product for the past several years, doing some UOA's and even some VOA's, I've come to be satisfied that Amsoil is a consistent good quality product. Sure, I could save a few dollars in the short term on some cheaper brands, but having my engines, that are worth thousands of dollars to replace, properly lubricated is peace of mind to me.
Hope this is helpful to some out there.....thoughts?
Yes, AMSOIL is a consistent, good quality product, but you've also been misled.