now that they sell cheaper "synthetic" oils and are advertising a LOT are they getting like castrol "cheating" i asked what group oils they are using in different products and got the snowball "propriety" answer!!! so whats in their top line signature series, maybe group III with a big addative package as most have a total base number in the 12 range
amsoil going downhill?
- Thread starter benjy
- Start date
- Status
Amsoil went from being diester based, to PAO, to bragging about how PAO's are the only true synthetics, to making Group III based synthetic oil and now doing what Mobil does which is NOT to engage in the base oil wars. Quite a turn over the years. It makes sense though and I have no issues with their stance on base oils.
To answer your question, no, Amsoil has only become better over the years. I was not a fan of the 2001-2005 Amsoil formulations.
To answer your question, no, Amsoil has only become better over the years. I was not a fan of the 2001-2005 Amsoil formulations.
Definitely not going downhill. I think they realized that the vast majority of consumers weren't willing to spend the extra cash on the signature series and were forced to expand their product line. With an ever increasing competitive oil market it was a smart move for them to expand their line. Really the only drawback I see with Amsoil is their shelf presence. Meaning they have none. I think Advance and Napa carry some of their oils but in only one or two weights. Amsoil at Walmart probably wouldn't do too hot, other than their O.E. and possible XL lines, however, if they expanded to other big box stores where they could be put in the rotation for monthly specials I think Amsoil could increase their market share considerably.
You know, Im a fan of synthetic oils, but my old tarsus went 200 k on ancient 10w30 Havoline and I gave the car away. Amsoil is good stuff, never used it, but hey, never heard anyone say they lost an engine over it............ok, it was a rabbit trail....
If the group V/group IV performance can be matched by a predominantly group III/III+ basestock, I don't really consider that "downhill".
If anything I think Amsoil doing the "good better best" marketing strategy works.
Since Amsoils strongpoint from the beginning was advertising the ultra long drain intervals...coming out with products for the OE and XL intervals made smart sense.
The fact is most people don't look at what base stocks or add packs or whatever goes into it...like most of us on here tend to do. Most consumers look and see "oil changes up to...." and then go from there.
I think that shelf space is the big one...the only thing available in my area is at Atwoods and the Sig series ($10 a quart). M1 is right next to it at $6. People don't look at ingredients on a product, but they do look at price tags.
Since Amsoils strongpoint from the beginning was advertising the ultra long drain intervals...coming out with products for the OE and XL intervals made smart sense.
The fact is most people don't look at what base stocks or add packs or whatever goes into it...like most of us on here tend to do. Most consumers look and see "oil changes up to...." and then go from there.
I think that shelf space is the big one...the only thing available in my area is at Atwoods and the Sig series ($10 a quart). M1 is right next to it at $6. People don't look at ingredients on a product, but they do look at price tags.
They are just expanding their market lines to accomidate more consumers! Pretty smart if you ask me!
High end synthetic oils are great.... if you like extended drains.
I change my oil at 4k-5k with a name brand synthetic. My engine will never know the difference.
Amsoil is doing just fine.
I change my oil at 4k-5k with a name brand synthetic. My engine will never know the difference.
Amsoil is doing just fine.
Originally Posted By: dparm
If the group V/group IV performance can be matched by a predominantly group III/III+ basestock, I don't really consider that "downhill".
Important point. The Group III+ base oils are excellent. And there are some base oils that might be called Group III- that are little better in service than a Group II+. The quality of the oil at the end of its service life is more important than the beginning list of ingredients. I think Amsoil products are still top tier. And their hype is still overwhelming. The pricing isn't as much out of line as it used to be, though.
If the group V/group IV performance can be matched by a predominantly group III/III+ basestock, I don't really consider that "downhill".
Important point. The Group III+ base oils are excellent. And there are some base oils that might be called Group III- that are little better in service than a Group II+. The quality of the oil at the end of its service life is more important than the beginning list of ingredients. I think Amsoil products are still top tier. And their hype is still overwhelming. The pricing isn't as much out of line as it used to be, though.
JHZR2
Staff member
It's an awful lot of speculation on the part of non engineers and tribologists that a brand is going downhill because of their incorrect assessment of some kind of value proposition on basestock.
Keeping on selling pure pao/poe oils is as much because fools and their money are easily departed, since the ocis, use and climate conditions don't require the utmost fluids for 99% of the population.
Going downhill or any other speculation by people regurgitating wife's tales is just silly. Trying to reach more markets with realistic products that make sense for most people to use isn't going downhill. It's not like they are dumping API SA oils with a name brand and fancy label to dupe customers...
Keeping on selling pure pao/poe oils is as much because fools and their money are easily departed, since the ocis, use and climate conditions don't require the utmost fluids for 99% of the population.
Going downhill or any other speculation by people regurgitating wife's tales is just silly. Trying to reach more markets with realistic products that make sense for most people to use isn't going downhill. It's not like they are dumping API SA oils with a name brand and fancy label to dupe customers...
gathermewool
Site Donor 2025
Castrol cheating? Could you elaborate?
Originally Posted By: 147_Grain
I take my hat off to Amsoil for being more transparently honest in describing their products than most companies.
+1 Top Shelf Products
I take my hat off to Amsoil for being more transparently honest in describing their products than most companies.
+1 Top Shelf Products
I have a buddy who runs 10w30 Amsoil and the oil test are coming back with the comment
Quote:
Comments Base Number is SIGNIFICANTLY LOW. Flagged additive levels are different than what should be present for the lubricant that is identified for this unit. (This does not imply that the lubricant does not meet proper API, SAE, or ISO classifications.); Lubricantand filter change acknowledged;
Quote:
Comments Base Number is SIGNIFICANTLY LOW. Flagged additive levels are different than what should be present for the lubricant that is identified for this unit. (This does not imply that the lubricant does not meet proper API, SAE, or ISO classifications.); Lubricantand filter change acknowledged;
Amsoil offers less expensive oils that are tested to meet current API specs so that owners of new cars worried about their warranties can rest easy.
Most warranties require an oil meeting API SN and require more frequent changes than a really stout oil might be capable of.
These oils are also priced at a level similar to M1, PP and so on.
Amsoil also offers their Signature Series oils.
These oils cost more but use premium basestocks and have additive levels that usually preclude certification to current API specs. These oils are intended for long drains. Based on the SSO UOAs posted here, they would in some cases allow for extended drains and don't in others.
OTOH, we have long drain UOA posts here using various brands of oil and most look pretty good.
We even have a memeber who just runs vanilla M1 on 10K drains in any application.
While he's not a UOA fan, he's had good results over a number of years.
Most warranties require an oil meeting API SN and require more frequent changes than a really stout oil might be capable of.
These oils are also priced at a level similar to M1, PP and so on.
Amsoil also offers their Signature Series oils.
These oils cost more but use premium basestocks and have additive levels that usually preclude certification to current API specs. These oils are intended for long drains. Based on the SSO UOAs posted here, they would in some cases allow for extended drains and don't in others.
OTOH, we have long drain UOA posts here using various brands of oil and most look pretty good.
We even have a memeber who just runs vanilla M1 on 10K drains in any application.
While he's not a UOA fan, he's had good results over a number of years.
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Amsoil offers less expensive oils that are tested to meet current API specs so that owners of new cars worried about their warranties can rest easy.
Most warranties require an oil meeting API SN and require more frequent changes than a really stout oil might be capable of.
These oils are also priced at a level similar to M1, PP and so on.
Amsoil also offers their Signature Series oils.
These oils cost more but use premium basestocks and have additive levels that usually preclude certification to current API specs. These oils are intended for long drains. Based on the SSO UOAs posted here, they would in some cases allow for extended drains and don't in others.
OTOH, we have long drain UOA posts here using various brands of oil and most look pretty good.
We even have a memeber who just runs vanilla M1 on 10K drains in any application.
While he's not a UOA fan, he's had good results over a number of years.
Agreed. I am no Amsoil fan but to say they are going down in quality is puzzling. They have different forumlas to meet the different needs of their customers. I would say their SSO and other high end oils are as good as they ever have been. XL and OE are designed for a different customer base. Still good oils though. Amsoil going downhill? Nope.
Amsoil offers less expensive oils that are tested to meet current API specs so that owners of new cars worried about their warranties can rest easy.
Most warranties require an oil meeting API SN and require more frequent changes than a really stout oil might be capable of.
These oils are also priced at a level similar to M1, PP and so on.
Amsoil also offers their Signature Series oils.
These oils cost more but use premium basestocks and have additive levels that usually preclude certification to current API specs. These oils are intended for long drains. Based on the SSO UOAs posted here, they would in some cases allow for extended drains and don't in others.
OTOH, we have long drain UOA posts here using various brands of oil and most look pretty good.
We even have a memeber who just runs vanilla M1 on 10K drains in any application.
While he's not a UOA fan, he's had good results over a number of years.
Agreed. I am no Amsoil fan but to say they are going down in quality is puzzling. They have different forumlas to meet the different needs of their customers. I would say their SSO and other high end oils are as good as they ever have been. XL and OE are designed for a different customer base. Still good oils though. Amsoil going downhill? Nope.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
- Locked
