Mfr. Specs vs. Amsoil's recommendations....

[d00df00d]

I checked Amsoil's product guide for recommendations for a 1996 BMW M3, and it lists TSO 0w-30, AFL 5w-40, ASL 5w30, and XLF 5w30 (in that order). Being under the impression that BMW wants a HTHS of at least 3.5 (correct me if I'm wrong), I thought that was a bit strange -- TSO just misses that at 3.4, and the 5w30s aren't even close at 3.2. But Amsoil Technical Services assured me that if the application guide says it'll work, it'll work.

If they're willing to stake their name on these recommendations, there must be something in them. So, fine. I'd be inclined to stick close to BMW's spec if it were my M3, but I can accept that.

But then I looked up the recommendations for a 2002 Honda S2000, and Amsoil's only recommendation was AFL! How in the heck can a Honda have only one oil recommending it when an M3 has four? I understand that that engine is not exactly your average Civic powerplant, but isn't BMW the one with the manufacturer's spec behind it? And why the heck is AFL the one oil that gets recommended for the S2000?

If anything, I'd expect the opposite, i.e. for Amsoil to recommend TSO, AFL, and ASL for the S2000, but only AFL for the M3...

Any thoughts? I'm just as interested in the criteria for the selections for each car as in the credibility of Amsoil's recommendations.

 

[buster]

If your BMW needs a ACEA A3 rated oil, none of those meet that except the 5w-40 AFL.

They need to update the TSO 0w30 PDS soon. It's a bit ridiculous at this point. The HT/HS of that oil is more like 3.3, not 3.4. The 3.4 was based on the older version which was a tad thicker.

 

[TimVipond]

That does seem odd. I usually recommend the European 5W40 oil for European cars if that is what AMSOIL has listed. If someone balks at the price, then I suggest the lower priced alternatives that AMSOIL recommends and warranties.

The sole recommendation for the Honda is also odd. You might call them back on this one as the site lists 10W30 if above -4F. I have found an occasional error like when AMSOIL recommended 5W20 for my 2006 Honda Civic Si. They told me a few days ago they were going to correct it, but haven't as of now.

 

[moribundman]

Quote:

---

I checked Amsoil's product guide for recommendations for a 1996 BMW M3, and it lists TSO 0w-30, AFL 5w-40, ASL 5w30, and XLF 5w30 (in that order).

---

If I were to have an M3, and if I were to use any AMSOIL oil, I'd go with their 10W-40.

 

[d00df00d]

Quote:

---

If I were to have an M3, and if I were to use any AMSOIL oil, I'd go with their 10W-40.

---

Why is that?

 

[Pablo]

The Amsoil web recommendations for lubes occasionally miss the mark - they are a guideline. That's why I help folks out vs. just tell them to look it up. The filter numbers and volumes are helpful as well and tend to be fairly adequate again - it's not perfect but it's a great quick look-up.

Too be honest - I'm not sure what the owners manual for a 2002 Honda S2000 says. Does it say 5W-40? I notice the site does say for above -4° 10w30 is OK for the car.

I agree with Mori - the 10W-40 will be fine for thr M3 because it has a good old fashioned additive package, plus the superior flow characteristics of a 10W synthetic with the higher SAE 40 viscosity.

 

[Bighank]

I had the same question. Toyota recommends 80w-90 wt gear
lube for the rear axle.Amsoil says sever gear 75w-90Wt replaces 80w-90. Will Amsoil stand-by there recommendation
if my Toyot has aproblem and the dealer givs me grief?

 

[Pablo]

There is absolutely no problem using 75W-90 gear oil in place of 80W-90. Amsoil will stand behind 100%. Not even your dealer will give you grief.

 

[TeeDub]

For an old BMW M3, I'd run the Amsoil 10w-40/AMO, instead of their 5w-40, simply because it's thicker.

The Honda recommendation for the S2000 engine is SAE 10w30 or 5w-40 for all temp ranges. If you drive this vehicle year round in Penn, I'd go with the Amsoil 0w30 or 5w30. If you only drive this vehicle in warmer weather, I'd use the API/SL rated, Amsoil 10w30, Four Stroke Marine oil, which is their thickest, most shear stable 30wt formulation.

TD

 

[Bighank]

Thanks Pablo. I am already using it. I am also using ASL
5w30 with the EAO filter. The other day it was 2 degrees.
Man the oil light went out instantly. Good stuff. Sorry
about all the typos in my last post. Spent all day out in
the cold working on the Lock equipment.

 

[Pablo]

Quote:

---

The Honda recommendation for the S2000 engine is SAE 10w30 or 5w-40 for all temp ranges.

---

Thanks Ted. So the Amsoil recommendation is not so wacky.

No problem BigHank.

 

[TeeDub]

Pablo,

Here we have somebody commenting about recommendations for cars he doesn't even own - go figure!

The bottom line is that you should talk to an experienced Amsoil dealer if you want to know their best lubricant for a particular application. The web site merely mimics the standard manufacturers recommendations. But it does not take into account some of the best Amsoil products like their MC oils and Four Stroke Marine oils, which will also work extremely well in automotive applications.

TD

 

[mitchcoyote]

Amsoil, only the best for my Toyota.....