Amsoil SDF

[Rebel Rouser]

Hello everyone. After lurking for sometime I've decided to join the ranks. I must say, a big thank you to everyone here. This is a civilized group that provides knowledgeable, factual, honest information, without any brand wars or personal attacks. I've have learned alot the short time I've been here.

My question is; does Baldwin manufacture Amsoil's SDF oil filters? I've been told that Amsoil makes their own oil filters.

Yes, I do use Amsoil products, but am not a dealer. I purchase as a preffered customer from their website. I guess my decision to buy, was based on sales hype, particularily the extended drain intervals.

I have a full size '94 chev blazer with 170K miles that I run Amsoil 0w30 in, using M1 filter, and a '98 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L Cummins diesel 78K miles that I run Amsoil 15w40 HDD & marine with Fleetguard Stratapore filter. These are the first fills of Amsoil for both vehicles and I was planning on running extended drain intervals, but after reading this site, I am now having second thoughts.

Regards

 

[MolaKule]

There is some discussion on the topic found through a search:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=000369#000006

I use Amsoil SDF20's for my Nissan Frontier because it's the only filter with the proper size for my smallest filter wrench. I believe it to be a good filter.

 

[Mike_dup1]

The Amsoil SDF filters are manf. by Hastings to Amsoil specs. Hasting is owned by Baldwin. The SDF filter is superior to the Hasting or Baldwin in the media used.

 

[Ken2]

Reb,

I'm not sure that the Amsoil filter will do better for your engine than the M1 filter, and I'd prefer the Cummins/Fleetguard-Stratapore filter for your Cummins engine.

As Mike said, Amsoil oil filters are made by Baldwin. I think that Hastings identity has been subsumed into Baldwin's except for some marketing purposes, and Baldwin/Hastings is owned by Clarcor http://www.clarcor.com/

Do run extended drain intervals, but with oil analysis for assurance that things are going well. After the analyses, if you don't feel that you're getting the oil mileage/cost ratio you'd like with Amsoil, give Schaeffer's oils a try.


Ken

 

[Rebel Rouser]

Thanks everyone for the responses! The information I have is that Amsoil does in fact have their own filter manufacturing plant, but does use "outside vendors" to manufacture some filters to their specifications. Oh well.

I have no beef with Amsoil whatsoever, as I stated I'm using their product, however, the information I've learned from this site definitely gives the "marketeers" out there less credence on their claims. It's a good oil, but I doubt it will save you any money in the long run.

 

[Mike_dup1]

quote:

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AMSOIL SDF Filters are manufactured by Hastings, which is owned by Baldwin. The filters are manufactured to AMSOIL specifications and are superior to other filters Hasting manufacturers.

Thank you for "Asking AMSOIL."

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They do make thier own Air Filters and that must be the plant you thinkomg of, its called the "A.J. Amatuzio Filter Company"

Here's how they signed a recent letter to me.

A.J. Amatuzio Filter Company

Subsidiary of AMSOIL Inc.

PS-I have used Amsoil since 1977 in all my vehicles.

2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6
2001 GMC SLT Ext Cab Z71

[ February 28, 2003, 08:22 AM: Message edited by: Mike ]

 

[Mike_dup1]

On the subject of manf. claims.

The only way you can know is to use the products and judge for yourself. Accepting opinions of others should not be your only deciding factor. I am sure no one here would insist that you take thier opinion as expert advice.(?)

 

[Spector]

quote:

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Originally posted by Mike:
The Amsoil SDF filters are manf. by Hastings to Amsoil specs. Hasting is owned by Baldwin. The SDF filter is superior to the Hasting or Baldwin in the media used.

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Okay, Hastings exists in name only because when Baldwin purchased them years ago they wanted to keep the name for marketing reasons, quality was associated with Hastings. Hastings owns nothing, produces nothing, it is a name only. The Amsoil and Hasting filters are made side by side in the same plant in Nebraska. Are the media the same. Amsoil swears it is not and that different specs are used. I have never cut a Hastings open but the rumor is they are exactly the same inside as an SDF.

I have not seen anyone show otherwise but perhaps someone has cut duplicate Hastings and AMSOIL oil filters open to compare and can other their results.

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

Baldwin rep told a number of us that there are a few, very few, Bladwin/Hastings filters which use the same filter media as used in the AMSOIL filters. The better media costs more money, and that's why it isn't in all filters. Price competition and all that.

For what it may be worth, AMSOIL does manufacture the bypass filter elements as well as the air filters.

 

[Mike_dup1]

Here's some more info from Amsoil to an inquiry

quote:

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You can not physically compare medias with the naked eye as the noticeable differences are so small. Only a microscope can define their differences. To set the record straight about the design of the SDF64, it is made by Hastings to our specifications including the synthetic filter media used. It is not a Hastings filter painted with our logo on it.

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