Synthetic Manufacturer Question

[LexAtlanta]

My neighbor and I were having a discussion about oil the other day and he asked why I bought Red line and Amsoil oil. He also uses synthetic but it is usually Valvoline Quaker State or what ever synthetic is on sale at the parts store. He contends that since we both change our oil at 5,000 miles, and use good quality filters, I am wasting money on buying RedLine and Amsoil.

I gave him the whole better basestocks and quality argument but he contends that for the 5,000 OCI any national syn brand is going to work. Is he correct? Can I - or should I - switch from buying Red Line and Amsoil to Valvoline syn or Quaker State? My '01 Tahoe has 101,500 on the clock and it has always - after the original break in - had either Amsoil, Red Line or Royal Purple in it.

Is Amsoil or Red Line worth the premium?

 

[Tempest]

For 5k OCI? I agree with your neighbor.

 

[turbomazda]

your neighbor must be a bitoger

 

[Pablo]

Keep using Amsoil. But just leave it in 10K or more. While your neighbor is changing oil, pull up a lawn chair and spark a stogie.

In the Nissan go the MAX normal driving OCI.

That will win the discussion.

 

[levi]

Quote:

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He contends that since we both change our oil at 5,000 miles, and use good quality filters, I am wasting money on buying RedLine and Amsoil.

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HE is right. You could run with most any modern conventional oils on 5K OCI, let alone synths.

I've got a daily driver with 240K that has only seen Quaker State 10w30 conventional and Rotella T 15w40 conventional all its life with no issues.

Seriously.

*

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

If you only go 5,000 miles between oil changes, and you drive 10,000-15,000 miles a year, then go with any local conventional oil. If you want to do one oil change a year, then go with Amsoil and an EA oil filter.

If you want to still use those short intervals (especially if using Amsoil), then I would say leave the EA oil filter on for 2-3 oil changes.

 

[salesrep]

Upfront, initially, The neighbor has a point.
Pablo has a point, if you can go that long or will.
Do you pick-up mpg with your syns? vs. his?
Does your car run smoother or feel better with your syns? That is worth something.

How bout how long you keep your cars and what the insides look like? is that important?

 

[pp_rp]

5000 oci. Go for the on sale syns. Amsoil and Redline I would go 10,000 miles respectivly !

 

[Steve S]

yep

 

[LexAtlanta]

My last car had 175,520 on the clock when I sold it and it was 6 years old. I only ever used Amsoil or Mobil 1 in it. She was a 1999 Nissan Maxima. My current vehicle is the Tahoe which I got from my wife. We bought it new in 2001 and I plan on keeping it until it won't run anymore.

So if I am reading everything correctly....I could go with Valvoline Synthetic, a Napa NASCAR or Gold filter and 5,000 OCI and be the same as using the Redline or Amsoil. There is no advantage with the top shelf brand names at this short of an OCI.

 

[Merkava_4]

I'm thinking it all depends on whether you like changing oil or not. Some people just hate changing oil; so they pay the price of Amsoil.

How long does it take you to rack up 5000 miles?

 

[LexAtlanta]

I like changing the oil. For me to drive 5,000 miles it will take me about 3 months. Due to the price of gas, I am trying to drive less and combine trips but I still average around 20,000 per year. My 2001 Tahoe has got 101,000 on it currently.

 

[Merkava_4]

Even at every 3 months, I don't think synthetic is going to cause you to go broke is it? In my opinion, it's money well spent.

 

[LexAtlanta]

I will still buy synthetic oil....it will be the Valvoline syn or the Quaker State Synthetic and not the Amsoil or Redline. I have used synthetic oil like Amsoil, Mobil 1 and Redline for many years and would not go back to conventional. Nothing against dino, but here in Atlanta with the traffic and heat I need the protection that a Full Synthetic is able to provide.

Locally, Valvoline syn is about $5 a quart at the local Advanced Auto. Amsoil and Redline are about $8 to $9 a quart plus shipping. My neighbor contends that the Valvoline syn is just as good as the Amsoil or Redline since the OCI is 5,000. From what I have read here, he is correct. I am "wasting" money by buying the top shelf oil for a 5,000 OCI. I can change to Valvoline syn, for example, and get the same results as if I were running Amsoil or Redline due to the OCI.

 

[LexAtlanta]

While I am at it I might as well ask which auto store available synthetic is the best? Valvoline, Quaker State, Pennzoil or Castrol? Keep in mind a 5,000 OCI and a Napa or Hayes filter and the fact that I live in Atlanta, which means lots of traffic and lots of heat!

 

[GTJohn]

Quote:

---

My neighbor and I were having a discussion about oil the other day and he asked why I bought Red line and Amsoil oil. He also uses synthetic but it is usually Valvoline Quaker State or what ever synthetic is on sale at the parts store. He contends that since we both change our oil at 5,000 miles, and use good quality filters, I am wasting money on buying RedLine and Amsoil.

I gave him the whole better basestocks and quality argument but he contends that for the 5,000 OCI any national syn brand is going to work. Is he correct? Can I - or should I - switch from buying Red Line and Amsoil to Valvoline syn or Quaker State? My '01 Tahoe has 101,500 on the clock and it has always - after the original break in - had either Amsoil, Red Line or Royal Purple in it.

Is Amsoil or Red Line worth the premium?

---

You really cant go wrong with either of the three oils above. Reason being has to do with their additive packages.
Redline has the best additive package to help prevent shearing. It is expensive. A group V oil.

I switched from using 5w20 Mobil 1 Full Synthetic to using Redline 5w20 simply for the additive package. I also use an Amsoil EAO-11 oil filter with a FilterMag (300lb) on it.
My oil changes with the Redline and Amsoil Oil filter will be twice a year. I put on about 15K a year.

Base your oil selection and oil filter selection on published facts by independent testing laboratories. The Internet and this site offer all the information you will need to make a decision.

Have a good day.

 

[bmwtechguy]

While you are at it, you can pick up some 5w30 or 10w30 Valvoline Synpower full synthetic (gallons) on clearance at Advance Auto for $9.95 That's about the best non-rebate deal I have seen in a while for a local retail brand name synthetic.