What brand oil do you use?

[StinkyCheese]

I've been using Mobil 1 for quite a few years but a co-worker gets a slight discount on AmsOil so I might try that this time around, I have about 4% oil life left according to the computer. Since Mobil 1 keeps going up and it's not a "true synthetic" I figured maybe I'll try something else for once.

[NARDA1]

Mobil 1

[sdeeter19555]

I've been using Mobil 1 for quite a few years but a co-worker gets a slight discount on AmsOil so I might try that this time around, I have about 4% oil life left according to the computer. Since Mobil 1 keeps going up and it's not a "true synthetic" I figured maybe I'll try something else for once.

That's why I quit using Mobil 1...it was nearly $9/qt the last round.

 

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[Cowpie]

I've been using Mobil 1 for quite a few years but a co-worker gets a slight discount on AmsOil so I might try that this time around, I have about 4% oil life left according to the computer. Since Mobil 1 keeps going up and it's not a "true synthetic" I figured maybe I'll try something else for once.

 

I always get a chuckle when someone uses the it's not a "true" synthetic argument.

 

Did you know, that lubes made from whale oil in the 1800's are still classified as "true" synthetics? I sure wouldn't want the stuff in my engine though. And what differences there were between Group IV synthetics (what some call the "true" synthetic) and Group III synthetic of the past are getting almost non existent today. Both are made from carbon based sources, Group IV from Ethylene gas that is derived primarily from NG, and Group III is made by using extreme hydrocracking of mineral oil. If you set them side by side, the finished base oil would look the same.

 

And the additive package in an oil is as critical, if not more so, than the base oil. I would much rather have a "fake" Group III synthetic with a very robust additive package than I would a "true" Group IV synthetic that has a mediocre additive package.

 

That is why I like the Schaeffer oils. A blend of Group III synthetic and Group IV PAO synthetic, and a very robust additive package. But there are a number of synthetics right off the shelf I would have no problem using. Mobil 1 is one of them, but my preference would be the SOPUS products (Pennzoil and QS), especially the Pennzoil Ultra. That is a very well put together oil.

[StinkyCheese]

 

I always get a chuckle when someone uses the it's not a "true" synthetic argument.

 

Did you know, that lubes made from whale oil in the 1800's are still classified as "true" synthetics? I sure wouldn't want the stuff in my engine though. And what differences there were between Group IV synthetics (what some call the "true" synthetic) and Group III synthetic of the past are getting almost non existent today. Both are made from carbon based sources, Group IV from Ethylene gas that is derived primarily from NG, and Group III is made by using extreme hydrocracking of mineral oil. If you set them side by side, the finished base oil would look the same.

 

And the additive package in an oil is as critical, if not more so, than the base oil. I would much rather have a "fake" Group III synthetic with a very robust additive package than I would a "true" Group IV synthetic that has a mediocre additive package.

 

That is why I like the Schaeffer oils. A blend of Group III synthetic and Group IV PAO synthetic, and a very robust additive package. But there are a number of synthetics right off the shelf I would have no problem using. Mobil 1 is one of them, but my preference would be the SOPUS products (Pennzoil and QS), especially the Pennzoil Ultra. That is a very well put together oil.

 

okay okay I mean full, but yeah basically the same thing. Honestly it doesn't matter if it's full/true but when they market it as full synthetic when it's not because of loopholes in advertising laws or whatever that's what annoys me. As far as performance I've had no problems with Mobil 1 and will probably continue to use it so I'm just chock full of contradictions.

[StinkyCheese]

That's why I quit using Mobil 1...it was nearly $9/qt the last round.

 

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Ouch that's pretty bad I think it's about $7 here. Wal-mart sells the 5.1 quart for around $30ish and then I just pick up a 1qt. I keep waiting for Autozone or the other auto stores to have a sale on it again.

[Cowpie]

 

okay okay I mean full, but yeah basically the same thing. Honestly it doesn't matter if it's full/true but when they market it as full synthetic when it's not because of loopholes in advertising laws or whatever that's what annoys me. As far as performance I've had no problems with Mobil 1 and will probably continue to use it so I'm just chock full of contradictions.

 

I hear ya. But in the broad scheme of things, if the product does what it claims to do, it really shouldn't matter how it is marketed, or even what it is made of. I have had issues with Amsoil marketing for a long time, but the products are very good, so I tend to overlook the marketing thing. Amsoil pricing is a little skewed, even as good as the product is. You have a lot of downline going on with multiple levels of sales reps getting a piece of the action. It is their marketing thing, and that's cool. I do use a few of their products in some niche applications. And they were not the first in marketing synthetics as much as they claim to be. Motul was the first to sell full synthetics on the market.

 

Mobil 1 has a double whammy going on. They are solid products, but the pricing is really not reflective of the product's value. There is a lot of money out of every sale that goes to other things that have nothing to do with running the company or producing the products. Like when they slap the "Official Oil of NASCAR" on. They have to pay for that in a big way. And Mobil spends hundreds of thousands of dollars every year to promote truck show entertainment and other stuff. The consumer is paying for all of this in every quart. Again, I use some of Mobil's stuff in some niche applications, so I have standing to make the comments.

 

As long as one goes into things with eyes wide open, there really is no issue. We are all swayed by marketing and emotion to some extent. And we all want to feel good about the choices we make. As long as we do our due diligence in researching those choices, there really is no problem that I can see.

 

As for marketing something as a full synthetic, as long as it doesn't violate Federal truth in advertising laws, why should anyone even care? Again, if the product does what it claims, there is no harm, no foul. If it doesn't do what it claims, that is where attorneys and law suits come in.

[sdeeter19555]

In reality, there is less of a performance gap between modern conventional oils and synthetic oils than there was at one point. Even a quality conventional oil meeting the most recent API or dexos1 specification is going to provide exceptional service. Even in the diesel oils, wear numbers and longevity are almost the same.

 

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[Cowpie]

That is pretty much true. Only in out of the ordinary cases do synthetics beat out conventional performance. Like extreme cold. Kinda hard to get a conventional to flow comfortably at -35F, but a good full synthetic will do it. And synthetics are a little less prone to breaking down at extreme heat temps as with turbocharging and high performance engines. But both of these fall outside the average vehicle owner.

[Black02Silverado]

It can be confusing about AMSOIL's claim to be the "The First in Synthetics"®. There were other manufactures selling synthetic oils way before AMSOIL. Their claim is that they were the first company to have an API certified synthetic oil on the market which was in 1972. Hence their slogan "The First in Synthetics"®

 

Not meaning to cause any problems, just a little FYI for those that might not have known this.

 

One other thing, I understand that there are several out there that do not like the way AMSOIL is marketed. The product speaks for itself. You have to also look at the fact that AMSOIL's pricing really isn't inflated by much do to having independent dealers sell and promote their products. We have to pay for everything out of our pocket to advertise and promote AMSOIL. It isn't provided for us. Also you don't see major advertisements on TV for AMSOIL like Royal Purple, Mobil, Pennzoil and such. It helps keep the cost down. AMSOIL does advertise but in a niche market like snowmobile racing, motorcross and at the major bike events like Sturgis and Daytona Bike week.

[STINSAN3]

I'm gonna start running AMSoil in my fourwheeler?

[Cowpie]

I agree. Amsoil makes some very good products. I use a couple of them myself. Actually, I use 5 different brands of oils/lube/fluids for my various applications. I have no brand loyalty in me at all. I pick what works extremely well for the particular application and gives me the best overall value. Just zeroing in on one brand seems so high school to me. Kinda like what style of music is your favorite. Depends on the day and the mood I am in. It seems too myopic to just listen to one style of music. I have spent a lot of years, running a lot of vehicles and equipment, and sending in a lot of used oil samples to know what I like best for what I am doing. Marketing hype and slick brochures have very little sway with me. No one brand has the best products for every application. About the only constant is that I don't use a conventional oil in anything. It is either a blend or a full synthetic. In one application that I have, by using synthetic, the OEM extends the component warranty from 500,000 miles to 750,000 miles with no hesitation and no fine print.

[Badbird2000]

Ok, well I was pressed for time the other day, and stopped by the dealer at lunch to see what an oil change would be. They did Mobile 1 at $49.99 and had it done in 15 minutes, on my lunch break. Really can't complain about that. I was using Royal Purple at $9.00 a quart in my Ford, 6 quarts plus a decent filter, over $65...
I was pleased to notice the truck isn't using any oil, like others with the 5.3 I have read about..

[white1500]

Castrol 10w-30 with an AC Delco filter every half year or 5-6k miles. I don't recall if its premium conventional or synthetic blend but it does its job exceptionally well given the application.

[Cowpie]

That 10w30 should be fine year round since you are in Arizona. I sure wouldn't recommend it for Minnesota year round though. That is the beauty of all of this. There are a lot of very good oils, with new varieties cropping up each day. I have been reading a lot about the Shell GTL (natural gas to oil) products that are available retail now under the Pennzoil label. Very promising stuff and seem worth considering. The pricing is right in line with other synthetics on the shelf.