What's so special about Amsoil?

[fredfactory]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: fredfactory
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Also, I believe Castrol also runs a double-length Sequence IIIG test on their products.


You know I'm gonna ask for a link to that, or some form of evidence. Sounds like good reading!! I did like it when Amsoil ran a double IIIG and stated the results. I think thats a confidence builder.


Looks for posts by bobbydavro, he works for Castrol and I believe it was he who mentioned it.


There was a double or triple Sequence IVA for Magnatec that looked great a while back. Maybe Shannow or bobbydavro posted, not sure. Maybe thats what you're remembering.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: fredfactory
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: fredfactory
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Also, I believe Castrol also runs a double-length Sequence IIIG test on their products.


You know I'm gonna ask for a link to that, or some form of evidence. Sounds like good reading!! I did like it when Amsoil ran a double IIIG and stated the results. I think thats a confidence builder.


Looks for posts by bobbydavro, he works for Castrol and I believe it was he who mentioned it.


There was a double or triple Sequence IVA for Magnatec that looked great a while back. Maybe Shannow or bobbydavro posted, not sure. Maybe thats what you're remembering.


If it was, it was posted by bobby. Worth a search.

 

[zpinch]

I am almost done posting on threads like this... Alot of people posting hypocrytical remarks, double-standards, and just plain stupidity. Complaining about Amsoil performance tests, people prefer words on a bottle over real tests... So you wven know what tests are performed on all those certifications?

I should go start my own thread on Mobil 1 or Pennzoil, why should i support exxon-mobil or shell... Or where a guy buys it for cheap, walmart. Good idea right, i'll make alot of friends on this forum!

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: zpinch
I am almost done posting on threads like this... Alot of people posting hypocrytical remarks, double-standards, and just plain stupidity. Complaining about Amsoil performance tests, people prefer words on a bottle over real tests... So you wven know what tests are performed on all those certifications?

I should go start my own thread on Mobil 1 or Pennzoil, why should i support exxon-mobil or shell... Or where a guy buys it for cheap, walmart. Good idea right, i'll make alot of friends on this forum!


The anti-Amsoil crowd are correct, some tests don't apply to real world operations, and Amsoil didn't pay for and so doesn't carry many of the certifications that the huge conglomerate oil producers do.

Amsoil is a fantastic oil nevertheless.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: zpinch
Okay, not to defend Amsoil or anything, but how do you know that one oil doesn't protect better than another, or even, alot better? You think just because the engine 'runs' after 200k miles of running cheapo oil and $2 filter, that a more expensive oil and filter cannot improve on this?

It depends upon what you call an improvement. If one isn't using some extended intervals, one has to ask what's the point, in an "average" application? If taxis and police cars' engines are still running exceedingly well at the end of life of the chassis, what's the point in running something more expensive? If Amsoil, or anyone else, could conceivably claim 50% less wear than every other oil on the market, remember that 50% of almost no wear is also a very tiny number. It's statistically significant, but nonexistent from a practical standpoint.

I'd use Amsoil for the extended OCIs. Comparing its wear protection and cleaning abilities to other SN/GF-5 lubricants over a conservative OCI wouldn't be a selling point.



My sentiments exactly. All my vehicles are high mile using on sale syns. What do I gain by spending double per 10000 mile interval. I'm not prepared to get a used oil analysis. They cost as much as an oil change dies do if I was going to do one I might as well just change the oil.
I'm not prepared to just run 25000 mile intervals without data so to run that interval I've gotta spend more money on data when I can just change the oil.
Makes no sense to me if its cost per mile I'm trying to reduce.

 

[SteveSRT8]

^^^Our sentiments exactly. We spent thousands on Amsoil for over a decade, excellent service and engine life.

But no better than we get now with on sale synthetic and decent filters changed by the OLM.

I don't think many here think Amsoil is inferior, but I think it is more expensive and has reached the point of diminishing returns...

 

[MolaKule]

Originally Posted By: Donald
In my opinion, there are other oils out there as good as Amsoil. But I think their ATF and SVG gear oil are a notch above the other high end lubricants.

I do not like the entire MLM concept.


When I saw this thread I thought it was mainly going to be about comparing Amsoil to other oils, which seemed to be the primary intent of the OP's comment, and not about marketing. I also thought maybe Pablo would comment.

Let me tell you what I know as to why Amsoil's marketing system is based on the MLM concept.

When I lived in Kansas (and where I also started my retail oil business, no longer active), we had lubrication related meetings sponsored by the STLE section out of the KC area.

I met the lady who helped set up the MLM system for Al Amatuzio (whom I have also met a number of times at those same meetings).

After Al had worked with a number of companies (mainly Hatco and Lubrizol) in getting his idea moved to a formulation, he needed a method to get his product to market.

This lady suggested to Al an MLM type of marketing system which involved dealers who would sign up and sell the product and themselves share in their own initiatives, in a top-down type of marketing system.

She also stated the first dealers who signed up could set up their own dealer networks and share in the sales of those dealers down-line.

I met one dealer at an STLE meeting who retired from an aerospace firm and made a nice income just living off his and his dealer network sales.

So whether you like the Amsoil marketing system or not, this is the system they chose. IMHO, it was those early dealers who helped Al get his products off-the-ground, and Amsoil seems to be locked into that system, at least for the forseeable future.

We all have choices as to what we buy and no one is forcing anyone to purchase any one product.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: Clevy

My sentiments exactly. All my vehicles are high mile using on sale syns. What do I gain by spending double per 10000 mile interval. I'm not prepared to get a used oil analysis. They cost as much as an oil change does do if I was going to do one I might as well just change the oil.
I'm not prepared to just run 25000 mile intervals without data so to run that interval I've gotta spend more money on data when I can just change the oil.
Makes no sense to me if its cost per mile I'm trying to reduce.


Not to start an argument, but since you're talking cost per mile.... I agree your analysis is valid - but only for the first few oil changes. Once you have a vehicle's extended OCI figured out then the UOA is no longer required and you reap the savings of the extended interval.

If someone only keeps a vehicle for 2-3 years it's not worth it. However in the case of someone purchasing a vehicle with the intent to keep it indefinitely, it really can pay off.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: zpinch
So you wven know what tests are performed on all those certifications?

The tests aren't a state secret. There's a reason specifications exist - to facilitate standardized testing.

Originally Posted By: zpinch
I should go start my own thread on Mobil 1 or Pennzoil, why should i support exxon-mobil or shell... Or where a guy buys it for cheap, walmart.

Lots of people have bad things to say about XOM, Shell, BP, or whomever. As for Walmart, the same applies. Heck, I'm quite open about my disdain for Walmart Canada's pricing practices.

Amsoil is a fantastic line of products. They don't need hokey tests to show me that any more than Shell needs to use creative editing to demonstrate that Pennzoil will keep pistons clean or than I need BP to explain to me that Syntec will prevent explosions on the dyno.

 

[TiredTrucker]

Not sure about Canada, but I would bet they have the same regulations in place, similar to the Federal Trade Commission in the U.S. If someone claims to meet a spec, and doesn't, litigation and fines can be brutal and knock them out of business. They would have to remove products, provide testing data to prove their other products could meet the standards they claim, etc. With that in place, it would seem pretty lame for Amsoil to claim to meet a spec and it really doesn't. There really is no need to actually send samples in and pay the fees to test, if you are using industry standard base oil and add pack formulations that are proven to meet particular standards. And one could exceed those standards if they chose to.

Schaeffer oil is another that doesn't play the sending samples in to everyone and get their official okie dokie. Yet, Schaeffer has been making solid lubrication products longer than anyone in N. America. If they weren't up to snuff, they would have gone under a long time ago. I use their oil that they claim meets dexos1 standard in my GM pickup and I sleep quite well at night. I use drums of their CJ-4 rated HDEO in my commercial equipment and, again, I sleep quite well at night. Amsoil, with their marketing method and pricing structure, has a tough row to hoe against the big pockets of the major oil companies in carving out their share of the market. It would seem pretty stupid to offer products that don't meet the spec they say they do. We're not talking about some Ma and Pa operation where someone is blending oil in their workshop in their spare time.

If someone just can't fathom using a product that doesn't have the "official" blessing of an auto manufacturer or whatever, then by all means, buy products you are comfortable with. You are paying the bills for maintaining your vehicles and equipment, so no one can tell you what you should do. When other folks start paying the bills for the maintenance costs for my business, then they have skin in the game to tell me what I need to use. Until then.....

 

[SlipperyPete]

Originally Posted By: zpinch
I am almost done posting on threads like this... Alot of people posting hypocrytical remarks, double-standards, and just plain stupidity. Complaining about Amsoil performance tests, people prefer words on a bottle over real tests... So you wven know what tests are performed on all those certifications?

I should go start my own thread on Mobil 1 or Pennzoil, why should i support exxon-mobil or shell... Or where a guy buys it for cheap, walmart. Good idea right, i'll make alot of friends on this forum!


Please tell me you actually make Amsoil and that you're not really this spun up over whether or not other people like someone else's product.

 

[jk_636]

Summary of this thread:

"If you like Amsoil, use it. If you dont like Amsoil, use something else. If Amsoil would make their products more readily available, more people would use them."

Now we can all be friends again!

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule


When I saw this thread I thought it was mainly going to be about comparing Amsoil to other oils, which seemed to be the primary intent of the OP's comment, and not about marketing. I also thought maybe Pablo would comment.





I really don't like commenting in these threads. I am actually honored that you mentioned me. There's a lot wrong in this thread, and I'll just let it be. But please allow me a little rant.

15 years ago, people said Amsoil's system was on the decline........5 years ago they said everyone had caught up with Amsoil and Amsoil was going in the hopper.....blah blah blah......people say Amsoil would make more profit if they sold in giant stores yet they hate on companies for making a profit......hardly anyone gets the warranty stuff right.......nor do they even understand how Amsoil is not a pyramid at all, with DJ's moving away from their sponsors.....it's just all a bunch of wind from so many posters anymore.

I actually set record sales in April. I stock and move a lot more product than ever. 15 years and never once a failure. Amazing!

Have any of you actually tried the new Amsoil 0W-40? Man that stuff really does smell of gummy bears!!

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Have any of you actually tried the new Amsoil 0W-40? Man that stuff really does smell of gummy bears!!

Does it ever go on BOGO sale?

 

[Brigadier]

Originally Posted By: Pablo


Have any of you actually tried the new Amsoil 0W-40? Man that stuff really does smell of gummy bears!!


Can I buy it at NAPA? AutoZone? O'Reilly's? Didn't think so.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: Brigadier
Originally Posted By: Pablo


Have any of you actually tried the new Amsoil 0W-40? Man that stuff really does smell of gummy bears!!


Can I buy it at NAPA? AutoZone? O'Reilly's? Didn't think so.


Can I buy it at NAPA?

Yes.

But why would you pay retail prices? You are in WA state. Not sure where, but order and get it the next business day or stop by and pick it up. Not that tough.

 

[donnyj08]

Quote:
Have any of you actually tried the new Amsoil 0W-40? Man that stuff really does smell of gummy bears!




Nope! Don't Have a good application for it. Thinking about ordering a Case of that Magical SS 0w30 for my Silverado though!

 

[daves87rs]

Oddly enough, the more these threads pop up, the more I want to give it a try.

I love a good deal as much as the next guy, but every now and then it is not going to hurt to spend a few bucks.


Tough part for me is that it will go into a car that might see a whole 3k in a year! So, I'd like to at least get a year out of it....Got a neighbor running SSO now, and he loves it....

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: TiredTrucker
Not sure about Canada, but I would bet they have the same regulations in place, similar to the Federal Trade Commission in the U.S. If someone claims to meet a spec, and doesn't, litigation and fines can be brutal and knock them out of business.

I have few doubts about the ability of Amsoil to do the job, whether it's got formal certifications or not. I just don't like gimmicky testing, no matter who's doing it.

 

[Brigadier]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Originally Posted By: Brigadier
Originally Posted By: Pablo


Have any of you actually tried the new Amsoil 0W-40? Man that stuff really does smell of gummy bears!!


Can I buy it at NAPA? AutoZone? O'Reilly's? Didn't think so.


Can I buy it at NAPA?

Yes.

But why would you pay retail prices? You are in WA state. Not sure where, but order and get it the next business day or stop by and pick it up. Not that tough.


Really? Go to napaonline.com and search for 'Amsoil'.