Alternative to Amsoil ASL 5W-30 ??

hate2work · Mar 10, 2009

I'm looking for an alternative to using Amsoil ASL for 5 to 6k runs. I have a load of ASL in my truck right now with almost 6k on it, and psychologically I'm having a hard time keeping it in there for longer than this. I know this oil should be good for around 10k miles, but I can't bring myself to keep it in there.

I think I'll do better if I start using a less expensive oil and dumping it sooner.

The logical choice would be the Amsoil XL series, and that may be what I go to. I want to stay with either a blended oil or a full synthetic oil.

So, I have three questions.

1) What are my other choices (other than Amsoil XL)?

2) Is Amsoil XL 5w30 a blended oil? If so, is it group three and four? Group two and three?

3) Can I successfully make my own blended oil, using the same family of oils? ( for instance, mix PP with Pennzoil conventional )

Thanks in advance~

SuperDave456 · Mar 10, 2009

What car is this for? How do you drive it?
Is it ONLY an emotional response that you are changing out that early?

If it is just a non supercharged something-or-other not a sports car just go get Supertech Synthetic and change it out every 5k miles. There are excellent used oil analysis here on their syntetic at 9k miles.

Or get SuperTech conventional and change it out ever 4k miles, if you have the stomach for not going 'Synthetic' and want to change out your oil often.

Drew99GT · Mar 10, 2009

I'd consider using any name brand synthetic and running to 6,000 miles. When one is on sale, stock up for several changes.

Dave also brings up a great point: driving conditions should also be a key factor in your oil change interval based on the type of oil.

buster · Mar 10, 2009

Synpower 5w30.

Drew99GT · Mar 10, 2009

Originally Posted By: buster
Synpower 5w30.

Castrol Edge is twice as good though.

Steve S · Mar 10, 2009

Why are you running syn oil?

The Critic · Mar 10, 2009

Originally Posted By: Steve S
Why are you running syn oil?

The "perceived benefit." He probably won't be able to sleep at night if he used conventional.

buster · Mar 10, 2009

Yeah for 6k mile changes, use any API SM conventional oil.

Steve S · Mar 10, 2009

selective belief?

Mark888 · Mar 10, 2009

The best way is probably to buy something on sale.

Right now Advance Auto Parts has a sale on several kinds of oil. The Mobil 1 is $29.95 for 5 quarts and that price includes a Mobil 1 Oil Filter. This price includes any kind of Mobil 1 oil they stock, including EP. Not sure how much you can get at one time, but you can always go back (sale price is good thru March 25th).

Mobil 1 website is offering 2 $10 mail-in rebates for Mobil 1 oil purchased between April 1 and August 31 if you register at their website. So if you got a 5 quart jug at Walmart at $26.00 that would be $16.00 after mail-in rebate. Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5-quart jug is $28.50 (price may be a little different where you live).

I would not hesitate to use another brand of synthetic if it were on sale.

Ibrahim · Mar 10, 2009

I would suggest something along the same line as other members have...

Get Any Synthetic Oil You Can Find It CHEAPEST (clearance, sale etc)

Just make sure it meets ILSAC GF-4 and API SM standards!

My CHOICE!
Valvoline Full Synthetic SynPower 5w30
Valvoline Full Synthetic MaxLife 5w30

Ben99GT · Mar 10, 2009

Valvoline doesn't have Adaptive Molecules™.

I recommend Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 with Adaptive Molecules™ and Superior Active Cleansing Agents*.

Pennzoil may be borrowing alien technology from Area 51 (remember, NASA used Pennzane™) so it's legitimately an outta this earth oil!

But in all seriousness, I really do like PP, very good oil, even though the BITOG trends are shifting.

HM12460 · Mar 10, 2009

for that short of an oci, i'd use the super tech.

hate2work · Mar 10, 2009

Yeah, I forgot to mention this is in my daily driver truck, an 06 Tacoma with the 4 cyl engine that has a timing chain, if that makes a difference. I drive 15 miles each way, part highway and part county roads. I'm sure this thing will be easy on oil, since I bought it used this is the first load I put in at 13k, truck now has almost 19k on it.

Can anybody answer questions two and three in my original post?

Thanks-

lewdwig · Mar 10, 2009

Don't know that much about the XL chemistry.

I think the oil chemists make a better blend than you can on your own, hence Motorcraft synthetic blend as another choice - light on your wallet if your doing 5 to 6K mile OCIs.

hate2work · Mar 10, 2009

Originally Posted By: lewdwig
Don't know that much about the XL chemistry.

I think the oil chemists make a better blend than you can on your own, hence Motorcraft synthetic blend as another choice - light on your wallet if your doing 5 to 6K mile OCIs.

MC might work for me, but I wish I could find the jugs in 5w30 instead of 5W-20.

Nobody seems to know if XL is a blend, and if so, what groups of oil. Pablo??

Billy_D · Mar 10, 2009

So, I have three questions.

1) What are my other choices (other than Amsoil XL)?

Any oil that meets ILSAC GF-4 Minimum Performance Standard. Any group 3 synthetic Mobil 1, PP, Castrol, Quaker State,...

2) Is Amsoil XL 5w30 a blended oil? If so, is it group three and four? Group two and three?

I think it's GIII, you might need to wait for an Amsoil dealer to get a better answer.

3) Can I successfully make my own blended oil, using the same family of oils? ( for instance, mix PP with Pennzoil conventional )

Why do you want to create your own blend, there are a lot of deals out there. Just buy a brand you like and stick with it. Motorcraft makes a decent synthetic Blend for a great price if you are interested in buying a synthetic blend

Johnny · Mar 10, 2009

I may be putting words in Pablo's and Amsoil's mouth, but I believe both have said the XL line of oils are Group III base synthetics. No blend.

tsmay51 · Mar 10, 2009

Do you have a warranty on this vehicle? If so, I would stay with recommended intervals until out of warranty. I so want to switch to synthetics and stretch my interval out to 7500 miles on our camry. I'll be sticking to their recommended intervals with conventional until warranty has expired though. Just a thought.

hate2work · Mar 10, 2009

Originally Posted By: tsmay51
Do you have a warranty on this vehicle? If so, I would stay with recommended intervals until out of warranty. I so want to switch to synthetics and stretch my interval out to 7500 miles on our camry. I'll be sticking to their recommended intervals with conventional until warranty has expired though. Just a thought.

Actually, Toyota recommends using a blended oil and 5k OCIs, at least that's what was suggested by our dealer when we bought the Corolla. So I'm sure you can go ahead and switch as long as you don't go past 5k before changing it.

I have no warranty on the truck, I bought it used.

Alternative to Amsoil ASL 5W-30 ??

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