Amsoil Signature Series 0W-30 in my 4runner

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haha that's how it was with my dad's VW dealership and me. i was always the one taking it in for him since he was always too busy. we're a toyota/lexus family now so we don't have that problem anymore :D
 
Originally Posted By: snowbizx
that's what i'm saying... if it's the oil that causes engine failure, then isn't that warrantied by amsoil anyway? especially if i'm changing the oil more frequently than amsoil's specifications.

basically, that makes following factory drain intervals while the car is under warranty completely irrelevant. almost sounds like an urban legend or good ol' internet forum hear-say, no?


It is my understanding that if Amsoil's oil was the cause of the engine failure they would cover it under their warranty (check Amsoils terms, they spell it out). The auto maker has the right to refuse repair if you didn't comply with the specs they set forth. So if the oil doesn't meet their specs, or the interval doesn't meet specs, they have the right to refuse repair. I used the word right to refuse repair, they also can do the repair if they want, its a coin toss, but don't forget they can refuse. That is why a lot of people who own cars under warranty use the Amsoil XL line which is API certified.

I think Amsoil makes a great product, having spent close to 4 years working in the automotive profession I would not want to be caught in the middle of an issue where I didn't follow the mfg's recommendations to the letter. I've seem the horror stories first hand, and its not funny when your car is sitting on a dealers lot while you wait to sort things out with them. I'd use the XL line and follow the mfg's recommendations. But like I've said before spend your money however you see fit. JMO
 
right on. i guess it's the decision between using a better oil (SSO) and risking an engine failure related to oil (very unlikely but not absolutely impossible i guess) vs. using a good oil (XL), changing it more than 2X as frequently as toyota specifies, and not worrying about voiding a warranty. hmmmm, decisions decisions...
 
Originally Posted By: snowbizx
right on. i guess it's the decision between using a better oil (SSO) and risking an engine failure related to oil (very unlikely but not absolutely impossible i guess) vs. using a good oil (XL), changing it more than 2X as frequently as toyota specifies, and not worrying about voiding a warranty. hmmmm, decisions decisions...


Your engine will take a few OCI's to get accustomed to whatever oil you choose to run. So the first one or two will not be super impressive by any means (in a new motor), so don't expect them to be. Using a high quality oil and extending the OCI, should be monitored by UOA to determine the actual SAFE interval to go with on your particular engine. All engines are different this way.
The XL oil claims a 6mo./7500 mile interval and most UOA i have seen are doing well up to 7500 miles. NO need to change the XL more frequently than 5k miles; and if i was running it i'd go to 7500 with it with an EAO filter and no worries.

If you're going with the SSO, i'd say STICK WITH IT and ride the wave until your motor is broke in. Then do some UOA to determine interval. Yeah, it may be a little more pricey at first but at least you know you've got one of the best oils in your truck.
 
i've got the SSO on it's way and i like ur plan of action. i think it'll be something along these lines:

the car is now at 3500 on a the factory fill.
changing it out with the SSO until 10k miles.
another SSO change until 20k miles and send in for UOA.

considering amsoil's recommendations for SSO are 17.5k miles under severe service, i don't have a problem running the oil for 10k miles on the second SSO fill. i'm really not worried about warranty, either. i think people are a little bit paranoid that they don't run their preferred oil just bc the oem drain intervals are based off a completely different product. what a waste.
 
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Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: snowbizx
that's what i'm saying... if it's the oil that causes engine failure, then isn't that warrantied by amsoil anyway? especially if i'm changing the oil more frequently than amsoil's specifications.

basically, that makes following factory drain intervals while the car is under warranty completely irrelevant. almost sounds like an urban legend or good ol' internet forum hear-say, no?


It is my understanding that if Amsoil's oil was the cause of the engine failure they would cover it under their warranty (check Amsoils terms, they spell it out). The auto maker has the right to refuse repair if you didn't comply with the specs they set forth. So if the oil doesn't meet their specs, or the interval doesn't meet specs, they have the right to refuse repair. I used the word right to refuse repair, they also can do the repair if they want, its a coin toss, but don't forget they can refuse. That is why a lot of people who own cars under warranty use the Amsoil XL line which is API certified.

I think Amsoil makes a great product, having spent close to 4 years working in the automotive profession I would not want to be caught in the middle of an issue where I didn't follow the mfg's recommendations to the letter. I've seem the horror stories first hand, and its not funny when your car is sitting on a dealers lot while you wait to sort things out with them. I'd use the XL line and follow the mfg's recommendations. But like I've said before spend your money however you see fit. JMO




Problem is no one knows of an oil co. that has ever honored the warranty to repair an engine due to oil related problem. So don't rely on the oil producer. Go by your Toyota OCI.
 
Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: snowbizx
that's what i'm saying... if it's the oil that causes engine failure, then isn't that warrantied by amsoil anyway? especially if i'm changing the oil more frequently than amsoil's specifications.

basically, that makes following factory drain intervals while the car is under warranty completely irrelevant. almost sounds like an urban legend or good ol' internet forum hear-say, no?


It is my understanding that if Amsoil's oil was the cause of the engine failure they would cover it under their warranty (check Amsoils terms, they spell it out). The auto maker has the right to refuse repair if you didn't comply with the specs they set forth. So if the oil doesn't meet their specs, or the interval doesn't meet specs, they have the right to refuse repair. I used the word right to refuse repair, they also can do the repair if they want, its a coin toss, but don't forget they can refuse. That is why a lot of people who own cars under warranty use the Amsoil XL line which is API certified.

I think Amsoil makes a great product, having spent close to 4 years working in the automotive profession I would not want to be caught in the middle of an issue where I didn't follow the mfg's recommendations to the letter. I've seem the horror stories first hand, and its not funny when your car is sitting on a dealers lot while you wait to sort things out with them. I'd use the XL line and follow the mfg's recommendations. But like I've said before spend your money however you see fit. JMO




Problem is no one knows of an oil co. that has ever honored the warranty to repair an engine due to oil related problem. So don't rely on the oil producer. Go by your Toyota OCI.


Exactly, and the reason I suggested the XL line, it meets the mfg requirements, and has the API certification.
 
Originally Posted By: snowbizx
i've got the SSO on it's way and i like ur plan of action. i think it'll be something along these lines:

the car is now at 3500 on a the factory fill.
changing it out with the SSO until 10k miles.
another SSO change until 20k miles and send in for UOA.

considering amsoil's recommendations for SSO are 17.5k miles under severe service, i don't have a problem running the oil for 10k miles on the second SSO fill. i'm really not worried about warranty, either. i think people are a little bit paranoid that they don't run their preferred oil just bc the oem drain intervals are based off a completely different product. what a waste.


Good plan, and i would do the same if the truck were mine. The first couple OCI's will be rocky due to break in, but with the interval you're planning i don't see a problem whatsoever.

You do plan to use the EAO don't you? You could probably get by with a cheaper filter for the first run.

IMO, 95% of all vehicles should be in the 'severe service' category. If you read about it, i think you'd agree. I consider all my vehicles in this category. From most of the UOA i have seen leads me to beleive that going over the SS guidelines is not wise (in most cases).

Yeah, your likeliness of having an oil-related engine failure is slim to none.
Yes, they do go off other cheaper oils when they consider their recomended OCI.
Amsoil SSO goes over and above most other oils out there, and has proven to be one of the best.
This is the reason it's going in 2 or 3 of my vehicles this summer.

Let us know how you like it. Haven't been able to run it yet.
 
Exactly, and the reason I suggested the XL line, it meets the mfg requirements, and has the API certification. [/quote]


All of amsoil's 100% synthetic oil's go above and beyond the API certification.
 
You don't even come close to needing XL oil for 5,000 mile oil changes it is a pretty stout oil. GPIII oils with a super add pack is a super oil though.
 
Use the good stuff and change it at 10,000 miles and do a UOA to see how it is doing. The chances of an internal engine failure is slim to none.
 
Originally Posted By: tig1

Problem is no one knows of an oil co. that has ever honored the warranty to repair an engine due to oil related problem. So don't rely on the oil producer. Go by your Toyota OCI.


Thats because it would be so incredibly rare and most likely the oil would have nothing to do with the failure. (Counting out known sludge motors) It would be a defect in the parts not an oil issue and a little arguing if needed would get it fixed.
 
Originally Posted By: 3Toyotas
Good plan, and i would do the same if the truck were mine. The first couple OCI's will be rocky due to break in, but with the interval you're planning i don't see a problem whatsoever.

You do plan to use the EAO don't you? You could probably get by with a cheaper filter for the first run.

IMO, 95% of all vehicles should be in the 'severe service' category. If you read about it, i think you'd agree. I consider all my vehicles in this category. From most of the UOA i have seen leads me to beleive that going over the SS guidelines is not wise (in most cases).

Yeah, your likeliness of having an oil-related engine failure is slim to none.
Yes, they do go off other cheaper oils when they consider their recomended OCI.
Amsoil SSO goes over and above most other oils out there, and has proven to be one of the best.
This is the reason it's going in 2 or 3 of my vehicles this summer.

Let us know how you like it. Haven't been able to run it yet.


will do! and yeah, eao filter

Originally Posted By: ZZman
Use the good stuff and change it at 10,000 miles and do a UOA to see how it is doing. The chances of an internal engine failure is slim to none.


that's the plan! :D
 
SSO installed. after a weekend of driving i would say the car is running/shifting exactly the same. if there's any advantage in fuel economy, it's almost negligible. next change in a few months at 10k...
 
If you can get over the warranty requirements, using amsoil once per year (assuming you don't go over 10-15k miles) would allow some of us bitogers to chill-out our ocd and not think about oil so often
wink.gif


I've used amsoil for years in my Hondas... and would have again in my Subaru if I hadn't found a deal on PP. After my PP stash is up I might consider it again assuming my UOAs over the next couple of years tell me the engine is in top shape. Don't forget your UOAs to track trends. An unhealthy engine will destroy even the best oils, and that's where you can run into problems with warranty.
 
Originally Posted By: snowbizx
SSO installed. after a weekend of driving i would say the car is running/shifting exactly the same. if there's any advantage in fuel economy, it's almost negligible. next change in a few months at 10k...


Nice.

I didn't realize you drove so much. Is it pretty much all hiway or what? What's your mpg?
How do you like changing the oil on it?
Pretty [censored] easy if you ask me. Filter at the top with a catch pan and tubing connection to drain the excess, and a nice big oblong plate to remove to get to the drain plug. Piece of cake.

Thanks for filling us in.

Oh, what are your plans on replacing the diff fluids? My runner has 20k on it (not 30k; which shows how much we've drive it), and i've replaced the rear diff, and the other 2 will be done next month. Using Amsoil SG 75W90.
 
it takes me a few miles to get the the expressway in the morning but i'd say overall, i drive around 70% highway. in the winter, i've been getting around 18mpg, but it's a bit off considering i take full advantage of my remote start for about 10-15 mins when the car has been sitting in the freezing cold all day or night :D the pace in the morning can also be as fast as 75 or 80 mph if i leave a little later. in the springtime, i'll be doing a good amount of long distance towing as well (6X12 enclosed, 2 or 3 sportbikes).

changing the oil was awesome! i even drove my car up on a couple ramp lifts on my downward sloping driveway and it was perfectly level! (i'm a dork and checked outta curiosity haha) there was so much room under there i coulda set up a dance floor and had a party!

no plans for diff changes yet. i figured i didn't have to worry about that for a while. however, i'll be using the SG as well. same weight in all 3...
 
18mpg isn't bad concerning the long idling & high speed driving.
I have been able to squeeze 21 out of ours, driving like a grandma. I'd bet you would easily get that with yours if you drove a little slower. But if you're late to work, you gotta hammer down i guess.

You may want to look into a tranny cooler if you don't already have one. The 4.0L runner's do not come with one from the factory, and it's recomended if you tow. Never towed with ours much, but if i do it's getting a cooler put on.

Yeah, diff fluid changes should be done around 15-30k depending on use.

Oh, BTW....SSO new pricing starting March 1st is $7.67 per quart by the case. PC pricing of course. There's also talk about more price decreases this summer (possibly).
 
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