Amsoil and API Donut

[LexAtlanta]

I tried using the search function to look this up but had no luck. Maybe I did something wrong but rather then spend too long surfing, I thought I would just post the question.

I am interested in using Amsoil....either the Signature (ALM) or the XL (XLZ). In reading the API website, they caution to not use oil that is not API Service SN approved....basically look for the API donut and you can't go wrong. I think I have read on this site before that some Amsoil is API approved and some isn't. I have 3 vehicles that I would like to convert over to Amsoil from PP and would like to know what Amsoil is the best choice.

If you look at my signature you will see the vehicles involved. The Ford Escape is a short tripper.....4 miles daily typically during the week and just a few more on the weekends.....less then 7,500 per year. The 2007 Van is also a short tripper but will see the occasional family road trip....probably 10k per year. The Sentra is a daily driver....20k per year. I could probably stick with the PP and be fine but with the Amsoil discount their oil is basically the same cost as PP where I live. PP where I am is close to $8 per quart.

Thanks in advance for the responses and information.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Isn't there an Amsoil OE now that has currentAPI certs? They are a trusted product I would not hesitate to use one of their oils even if it didnt display an API donut.

 

[brandini]

XL and OE lines are if you look at their pictures.

 

[Solarent]

What is the reasoning behind wanting to switch to Amsoil? Longer oil drains? peace of mind? just to say that you use it?

There are 2 reasons for not including the API donut on a finished oil:

1- The company that is making it can't afford the time and money for the testing (or rather chooses not to to conserve resources)
2- The oil doesn't meet the testing requirements of the SN service category(which are different for uncommon grades vs the regular 5w30 -- so some grades of QS Defy for example meet the spec while others don't). This does not mean that the oil is bad, but that it doesn't meet a testing requirement (such as fuel economy improvement, phosporus limits etc).

Remember that when some of those engines were designed, SM or SL may have been the current specification and so upgrading to SN isn't necessary to prevent all engine failures. This is why as the API prepares to move to GF-6 in 2016 there is talk about releasing 2 oil specifications - one for older engines and one for brand new engines that is not compatible with older engine designs.

 

[Danh]

They don't have Wal-Marts in Atlanta? PP is typically $ 24-25 or so for 5 quarts there, before the instant $ 5 price reduction now through October 31. Should be lots cheaper than the Amosil equivalent.

Another poster has it right: Amsoil's Signature Series is not API approved but their other brands are. Amsoil says Signature Series isn't certified because of cost and because it contains too much phosphorus.

 

[LexAtlanta]

Solarent:

Longer oil drain time and peace of mind are why I want to switch.

 

[LexAtlanta]

Danh:

Yes there are Walmarts here...lots of them.

I only need 4 qts for the two Nissans so I don't buy the 5qt jug. I don't want to store jugs of partial oil. I would rather buy the quart bottles and only buy as many as I need.

What does having too much phosphorus mean? Is it good or bad? If something were to happen could the manufacturer deny a warranty claim because a non approved (non API rated) oil was used? If Amsoil uses the cost as an excuse, I think that is odd. Amsoil is a huge company that has deep pockets....surely they can afford the cost of the testing.

 

[LexAtlanta]

So it looks like the XL is the way to go then.

 

[Danh]

Originally Posted By: LexAtlanta
Danh:

Yes there are Walmarts here...lots of them.

I only need 4 qts for the two Nissans so I don't buy the 5qt jug. I don't want to store jugs of partial oil. I would rather buy the quart bottles and only buy as many as I need.

What does having too much phosphorus mean? Is it good or bad? If something were to happen could the manufacturer deny a warranty claim because a non approved (non API rated) oil was used? If Amsoil uses the cost as an excuse, I think that is odd. Amsoil is a huge company that has deep pockets....surely they can afford the cost of the testing.



To me storing a couple quarts of oil in a 5 gallon jug is no biggie. Plus the jugs are a great way to get the oil to a recycling center.

The cost and the phosphorus are the two reasons Amsoil gives for no certification. Though if the phosphorus is too high I guess trying to get certification isn't too sensible anyway. I gather Amsoil thinks phosphorus is a good thing; don't know why API specifies a lower limit.

The API certification and warranty claims are an interesting topic. Amsoil says they will help if a claim is denied and there is an Amsoil warranty if that fails. And the conventional wisdom is that most manufacturers wouldn't make it an issue. That said, it's a situation I'd rather steer clear of. Plus the real benefit of Amosil's Signature Series is greatly extended OCIs, which most certainly could lead to warranty issues.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: LexAtlanta
I tried using the search function to look this up but had no luck. Maybe I did something wrong but rather then spend too long surfing, I thought I would just post the question.

I am interested in using Amsoil....either the Signature (ALM) or the XL (XLZ). In reading the API website, they caution to not use oil that is not API Service SN approved....basically look for the API donut and you can't go wrong. I think I have read on this site before that some Amsoil is API approved and some isn't. I have 3 vehicles that I would like to convert over to Amsoil from PP and would like to know what Amsoil is the best choice.

If you look at my signature you will see the vehicles involved. The Ford Escape is a short tripper.....4 miles daily typically during the week and just a few more on the weekends.....less then 7,500 per year. The 2007 Van is also a short tripper but will see the occasional family road trip....probably 10k per year. The Sentra is a daily driver....20k per year.


First of all you are correct. Some Amsoil motor oils are API listed, others aren't. There have been tons of threads on this over the years. But it's a bit difficult to search this site.

ALM is not listed, XLM is. Some of the guys here will act or even say the reason why Amsoil doesn't list some of their oils - but they are typically wrong, and don't really know. Amsoil ALM for example easily meets the API requirements and Amsoil can afford listing it, but doesn't want to have API in control of their long drain formulas. It's a bit silly, but it goes back to the 1970's.


Did Nissan back specify XW-20 for the Sentra? I would stick with a 30.

For 15K and beyond, choose the SS - and don't worry about the minimalist API listings. If you want to max out at say 12K, XL will be fine. Please purchase from a BITOG sponsor.