Who is using Amsoil?

[DuraMax Hammer]

Thinking of switching the Envoy and Duramax to Amsoil in the engine and in the diff. Just was wondering who was using it and what kind of differences you saw or felt after the switch. I'm using Mobil 1 oils and AC Delco filters but have heard some good stuff about it. Thanks for all the info.

[Redneck]

My 2000 dodge 2500 cummins picked up a half mile per gallon when i switched. I've been happy, as has my father and brother with it.

[TheGeneral]

If you say something negative about amsoil in writing and send it to them they will send a warning to the person making the comments. I think you get a discount for sending it in. It must be good if they go after people for slander.

[2002 Caddy]

COOL!

Well let me be the first then.. I hate Amsoil and I will never use their products. I hate companies that sell their products based on pyramid schemes or use fear marketing targeted at seniors.

Most of Amsoil products are not test or certified by third party engineers... Almost every other oil is. Most car warranties require that you use an SAE validated oil... in the past Amsoil has refused this testing because it:
1) was too expensive,
2) would uncover trade secrets,
3) or was considered to be a useless test

Instead Amsoil prefers a "just trust us" policy.

My grandfather bought into the Amsoil pressure tactics about 15 years ago... A friend of a friend forced him to buy almost a years worth of oil at over 10X the fair price of oil on the argument that it last 20X longer...

Gramps did not get better mileage, did not get better performance but he did get a high pressure sales pitch from the distant family friend in 10 months. When he said he was going to switch back to regular oil the Amsoil salesman switched to scare tactics... Things like "You can't mix regular and synthetics" (which is BS). If you stop using it you will void the Amsoil warranty (which is an issue cause amsoil already voided the factory warranty) etc etc. When Gramps told the family friend his grandson, who knows a lot about cars, said he was wasting money on amsoil... I got a call from the "local distributor" telling me to butt out of the deal he was cooking with my grandfather. "he had a right to sell his product to whoever he wanted, that I should keep my opinions to myself, and what my grandfather did was none of my business".

That exchange made me instantly one of the biggest "anti" fans of Amsoil.
I would rather run a dry crankcase then use their products.
Seriously though... If you decide to run a synthetic...
Go with what GM and the other OE's pick.

Mobil1.

Easier to get, cheaper, and NO high pressure BS.

[Dana_15]

I've used it, they are pricey. I really like their gear oil, great stuff. When I switched the rear diff oil on my last Tacoma, I swear the truck felt smoother to drive. Same with the transfer case and front diff, seemed to engage easier.

Right now I'm running Mobil1 in both Toyotas, its readily available and the price isn't bad either at Walmart.

[tomcat_cool17]

I won't buy anything from a pyramid scheme. If the product was so awesome, it wouldn't be needed. Likewise, if you run the numbers based on the supposed increase in mpg vs the extra cost over M1 or regular, you won't ever make up the difference for the life of the vehicle. It's not NEEDED, but if you are afraid your car/truck won't last without out, then go ahead and waste your money. There are other alternatives that will meet your needs and cost less. Majority of owners never use synthetics to 80% of its potential.

[2002 Caddy]

Originally Posted by tomcat_cool17

I won't buy anything from a pyramid scheme. If the product was so awesome, it wouldn't be needed.

I guess that makes two of us so far that the Amsoil police will be comming after

[LAMRONH]

Originally Posted by 2002 Caddy

COOL!

Well let me be the first then.. I hate Amsoil and I will never use their products. I hate companies that sell their products based on pyramid schemes or use fear marketing targeted at seniors.

Most of Amsoil products are not test or certified by third party engineers... Almost every other oil is. Most car warranties require that you use an SAE validated oil... in the past Amsoil has refused this testing because it:
1) was too expensive,
2) would uncover trade secrets,
3) or was considered to be a useless test

Instead Amsoil prefers a "just trust us" policy.

My grandfather bought into the Amsoil pressure tactics about 15 years ago... A friend of a friend forced him to buy almost a years worth of oil at over 10X the fair price of oil on the argument that it last 20X longer...

Gramps did not get better mileage, did not get better performance but he did get a high pressure sales pitch from the distant family friend in 10 months. When he said he was going to switch back to regular oil the Amsoil salesman switched to scare tactics... Things like "You can't mix regular and synthetics" (which is BS). If you stop using it you will void the Amsoil warranty (which is an issue cause amsoil already voided the factory warranty) etc etc. When Gramps told the family friend his grandson, who knows a lot about cars, said he was wasting money on amsoil... I got a call from the "local distributor" telling me to butt out of the deal he was cooking with my grandfather. "he had a right to sell his product to whoever he wanted, that I should keep my opinions to myself, and what my grandfather did was none of my business".

That exchange made me instantly one of the biggest "anti" fans of Amsoil.
I would rather run a dry crankcase then use their products.
Seriously though... If you decide to run a synthetic...
Go with what GM and the other OE's pick.

Mobil1.

Easier to get, cheaper, and NO high pressure BS.

I was always suspicious of any oil that claimed 25 thou lifespan.
For one thing, how much money do you save by skipping (for example, two 8,000 mile O&Fs w/M1 or Ryl Purple?) a couple of oil changes?
How much money does a new engine cost because you ran O&F for 25K?
I simply do not believe there is an oil filter that is good for 25,000 miles. That on its face is absurd, yet I know a reasonably intellyjint (well, he did vote for Klingon) colleague who bought the 'soil story hook, line, and sinker.
I fail to see the cost/benefits coming out on the positive side of the grid.

If in fact 'soil markets with those tactics, then that is the final deal killer for me. As I said, 25K on the face is ridiculous, but marketing reveals a company's ethical background IMO and pressure and bullying tactics will send me away.
Not only will I never return, but I will gladly exercise my first amendment rights to discuss my opinion of the product and the company with others who care to ask.

As for a local distributor phoning you and essentially threatening you for speaking with your grandfather, perhaps another phone call is in order...to the county prosecuting attorney or the coppers.
Get the next one on tape.

I will be sticking with dino or M1 or RP for the foreseeable future.

[Minnesota Nice]

An interesting thing is that almost every Civic Si owner I know who has third gear problems swapped to Amsoil or Syncromesh and they say it helps immeasurably.

[sooch]

I have used Amsoil since 1978. YES it is expensive I have no argument there. I think it does have certain advantages. It did lower my trans operating temp. The rear end lube is great. I have a life time air filter it did give me a problem and Amsoil replaced it no problem. I do believe if you get into an extreme situation low on oil / gear lube / trans fluid you will have that added protection you would need. I have seen the benefit in my manual transmission with smoother shifts. YES I KNOW ITS EXPENSIVE

[DuraMax Hammer]

All interesting comments, but makes me want to keep using my combo of Mobil 1 oil and AC Delco filters in both viechles.

[Canyonaro]

Originally Posted by DuraMax Hammer

All interesting comments, but makes me want to keep using my combo of Mobil 1 oil and AC Delco filters in both viechles.

Exactly what I do (mobil 1 full synthetic and ac delco filter), and it has been a great and cheaper combination.

[Dave B]

I didn't know that Amsoil was sold through a pyramid sceme and scare tactics as mentioned. I thought it was just sold through their dealers.

Anyway, I wouldn't use Amsoil as it is not readily available at places that sell oil. I usually use Mobil 1 or Valvoline Syn which I can get anywhere, or any time I want. I have had no problems with them.

[1G6]

I run it in the crankcase, differential and trans in my '79 Cadillac. Better mileage, cooler temps, smoother operation.

I'm a believer.

[scooter10572]

Ive run amsoil for years in a variety of engines and have never experienced any problems but have experienced better running engines,I run it in my Harley for approx 5 years and engine runs cooler trans shifts better and quieter.I pay 20 bucks to become a preffered cust thru amsoil and buy it at dealer cost.So its not much more expensive than any other syn oil.Btw Mobil 1 is not all that its cracked up to be,Ive seen independent testing on syn oils and mobil 1 generally comes in near the bottom in most categories,Im not saying its bad oil only that there are better oils.Btw Im a Chevrolet Master tech with 18 years exp.So I do have extensive knowledge of oils.