Switched to Amsoil and...

[BigEWRX]

I have a 2001 Focus SE Sport and a 2006 WRX.

I just switched both to Amsoil -- 5w-20 XLF in the Foci and 5w30 XLF in the Rex. I noted that on start-up, each car is noticably quieter, basically no "chatter".

I was running Mobil-1 synthetic 0w-20 and a CarQuest "blue" filter in the Foci. I had no burning or consumption issues, but there was some "chatter", even when warmed up.

In the Rex, I was running CarQuest branded synthetic 5w30 (Valvoline I believe) with a Subaru genuine filter for the turbo engine. This past summer, I was running Castrol Syntec 5w-50, also with a Subaru genuine filter for the turbo engine. With the 5w30, There was some "chatter" but very little, but I noticed it, however it went away once the engine warmed up. With the 5w-50, there was no "chatter" at all, cold or warm.

Prior to the change to Amsoil in either car, I could not tell if it was the valve-train or the injectors opening and closing.

Now the thing that is throwing me with respect to the Amsoil XLF is that it says "synthetic", however looking at their website, they make a 5w-20 "ASM" and a 5w30 "ASL" that are both labled as "100% synthetic". What gives? So what is the XLF? Not 100% synthetic? Did I miss something? It does not say semi-synthetic so is it fully synthetic?

Per Amsoil, it seems that the ASM/ASL is the better oil over the XLF.

BTW, the Focus gets driven very little and so it has been getting it's oil change every 6-months. With Amsoil I can go probably 1-year?

The Subie gets driven somewhat, but it's all stop-and-go/local driving, and since the WRX normally runs rich, I am doing oil changes every 3mos/2k miles. No matter which oil I use, I'm still sticking to a 3mos/3k mile change (and it's also still under warranty).

In either car, maybe I'll stick to the XLF?

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Ok, I also bought the Amsoil 75w-90 SVG gear oil. This I put into the Foci. So far, the "grabbing" in 2nd and 3rd has minimized a bit. I had been using the Motorcraft X5-MT-QS oil. I need to take this car out for a while/few days and see what happens. The Motorcraft oil took forever to "warm-up".

In the Rex, I have in both the gearbox and the diff, Valvoline 100% synthetic Super Syn and one tube of LC modifier in each -- yes, I know now that I should not have put the LC modifier in there, but both run smooth. I have had little or no "grab" in the gear box and feel nothing with the diff.

Now, I'm thinking about switching to Amsoil in the Subie. The thing is that there are two types of Amsoil 75w-90. There is the "FGR" long life and the "SVG" severe gear. Does it make a difference which I would use? Or should I stay with what's in there since it seems to be working? I know, only I can decide. I just want some pros & cons.

I have three more quarts of the SVG oil -- this is because that's what the parts store up the street sells and I found out about the FGR after-the-fact. This does not preclude me from returning them.

Any clarification for the engine oil(s) and gear oil(s) will be appreciated.

Thanks for the help.

 

[ewetho]

Depending on which Ford engine you have the DOHC engines actually require a separate filter to help eliinate cold start up rattles for oil bleed down.

In Motorcraft-land that is the FL-2005 not the FL-400.

So that might be some of the issue.

As for the oil, the XL stuff is just their API, 7500 mile, Group III oil. Good but not their best. Should be fine for a year or 7500 miles. If you want to go that far you might just consider the full on Amsoil ASM/L stuff.

 

[BigEWRX]

I'm using the FL-2005 equivalent with the anti-drainback valve -- left that out of the original post.

The car parts store in Stamford stocks only the XLF engine oil and the SVG gear oil -- I haven't seen it elsewhere locally, but also I don't venture out, so-to-speak.

Any "local" vendors nearby?

 

[LargeCarManX2]

I think you need to run a product data sheet off of Amsoils website for each of your cars. If your talking about putting gear oil in the transmission/transaxle....you better use the GL-4 lube. If your going to run the XL line, you might as well spend a few dollars more and buy the group V VI 0-20.

 

[Titan]

Run the AmSoil 75w110 Gear lube. The 75w90 is on the thin side of the range, and it whined more in my Subaru than I liked. I mixed in some 75w140 and the whining quietened down significantly. Next time, I'll just go straight 75w110, Severe Gear.

 

[Thermo1223]

If you do switch to Amsoil don't waste your money by changing the oil in the WRX(notice I didn't say Rex because IMO thats an RX7 thing ) so early. If your concern with the WRX running rich which I have heard of than getting your oil tested would do you well. Even so running rich is not known for dumping massive amounts of fuel in the oil.

Any synthetic should easily last at least 5k miles in a turbocharged engine.

 

[Pablo]

Indeed the XL line is not a blend, but rather a Group III synthetic. Actually ASM = 0W-20, not 5W-20.

On paper, sure ASM 0W-20 and ASL 5w30 are better than XLM 5W-20 and XLF 5w30 on paper, but likely if you aren't doing super long oil change intervals or extreme driving, the XL series are fine, better than fine, really - they are pretty great Group III motor oils.

AS for the gear oils.....hmm.....the Focus doesn't call for differential oil in the tranny. Amsoil recommends AFL 5W-40 engine oil.....I recommend Amsoil MTG GL-4 tranny oil.

SVG is made with better base oils, and has a slightly better EP/AW additive package, and does contain an LSD additive, but both will serve you well in a differential - that said go with the SVG 75W-110 in the differentials. FGR 75W-90 would be fine in the tranny.

If you need any of these products PM me, if you want to buy them and save, it may make sense for you to become a preferred customer.

 

[BigEWRX]

Thank you for the great feedback.

Only the Focus gets the longer OCI -- it's a local car only.

I'll stick to the XLF in both cars because I don't do the severe driving in either.

The WRX will keep what it has in the gear box and differential because it works 98% of the time. The Focus however will get a transaxle fluid change in the Spring when it's warmer out and to the correct fluid type.

Pablo, thanks and I will PM you in the near future.

 

[bluesubie]

The shortest OCI I've ever done on a Subaru turbo is 5,000 miles and that's with five mile daily trips.

You will definitely be able to go farther than 3,000. Severe service is 3,750.

I'm running Amsoil Long Life in the front diff/tranny and the rear diff. I should have checked with Pablo before I ordered. Maybe I'll change the rear to SVG 75W110 at 15k.

-Dennis