Best synthetic oil?

[rja]

I am convinced that Synthetic oil should be used over pet. oils. Now, which is the best brand? I have been reading the posts on this board and Amsoil seems to be the Syn. of choice. The only problem is that I think that some of the people singing the praises of Amsoil are also dealers and may not be overly objective. Does anybody know where I can get an objective review of the synthetic oils?

 

[rja]

Forty people have viewed this and no one has any thoughts? I figured that some of the regulars (Bird, Mark, Etc) would have jumped on this with both feet!

 

[Bird]

rja, I don't use synthetic oils. I'm convinced they are as good, perhaps a tiny bit better for most applications, considerably better for extreme cold, but not worth the cost for my applications. And Mark (and several other posters on this forum) is a dyed in the wool Amsoil fan, and apparently for good reasons. However, if I remember right, Mark has said in the past that he doesn't know that Amsoil is better than some of the other synthetics.

Bird

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Just try it & you be the judge.I use 15W40 in my M6800,used it in my M4700 too.Friend has Ford I think it is a 72 hp.uses it.I have a 2000 Dodge with diesel I use 5w30 in it.I use it in everything I have.Yes I am a dealer too.I remember reading about amsoil in 1972 when it came out but I went for 20+ yrs before I tryed it.So you do what you want but it is a very good oil.

 

[stevepio]

For what it's worth, I'm using Mobil Delvac1 5w-40 in my cub cadet. It gets pretty cold here (Buffalo, NY) and I wanted the advantage of synth for cold starts. When I change the hydraulic oil, I will be changing to amsoil tractor hydraulic. I use Mobil1 10w-30 in my suburban 454. Same reason, plus better high heat stability when I tow in the summer.

 

[gordon]

Bird I just read your post and I do believe that someone else is posting under your name. I think that the web master should look into this./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif---as good---tiny bit better---considerably better---. Than good old time tested dino oil??? Seriously on the new tractor with a hydro I would use synthetic in the hydro and more than likely in the crankcase as well. Time will tell. Guess most people on this board use the amsoil brand.
Gordon

 

[gsxr1100]

Well Synthetics are better than petro. They don't break down as quick because of the base stock used. If not used to their optimum peak (what they are designed for) you are wasting money. If you live in a cold climate (like me) you will like them a great deal. It will give you better protection at startups, better pour point, along with acid control etc. If you want to prove it to yourself do an oil analysis on both oils (petro and synthetic) and them compare. Diesel oils, a least synthetic wise burn much cleaner (control is a better word). The biggest problem is the soot, fuel, and TBN.
I use Amsoil because of the temps. I have had excellent results with it. The only other oil I would even try would be from LE.

That’s is my $0.02


"Were going to need a bigger boat" JAWS
Still looking for the tractor!!

 

[MChalkley]

As Bird mentioned, I'm a dyed in the wool Amsoil fan. Technically, I qualify as a dyed in the wool synthetic fan, and I admire Amsoil for championing synthetics for years before they were "cool", and every tom-dick-and-harry oil company drummed up their own house brand to jump on the bandwagon after they finally figured out they couldn't beat them so they'd better join them.

I decided not to respond for two reasons: 1) Everything I could/should say I've already said, and the original post indicated the existing forum messages had already been read and 2) he said he didn't want to hear from any dealers.

However, I will repeat one thing I've said many times before: I became an Amsoil dealer, and still am a dealer, for one and only one reason - to buy the product at the best prices. I re-sell it to my friends who want to buy it from me for the same price I pay for it. I feel this takes me out of the mercenary category and puts me back into the opinionated bigmouth category along with everybody else. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

MarkC

 

[Billc]

So much has been written about synthetics over the past year, think you should do a key word look up.

I am also an Amsoil dealer, but I don't sell to anyone. I signed up that way ONLY because I could get the best price on the oil. I went with Amsoil because they invented the stuff, and as Mark said, they were synthetic when synthetic wasn't cool.

I don't use Amsoil in my tractor...yet. Will switch to Amsoil motor oil at next change. Will stay with dino oil for the gears.

I switched to Amsoil throughout my Dodge 3500 diesel. The last thing to switch over there is the ATF fluid.

I have stayed with dino oil in my Ford 250 diesel only because I'll sell it in about 2 years. If I were to keep it longer I'd switch it over as well.

Don't notice any different in how truck runs. I do believe synthetics are a good bit better than dino oil...especially over time.

Mark's post got me thinking about switching to synthetics. I thank him for that. But I also did a lot of other reading on the subject before I made the switch.

Bill Cook

 

[rja]

Billc, I have searched and read the posts and have the red blood shot eyes to prove it. What I was hoping to find is a place to go that would compare/evaluate the various brands of synthetic oil. I signed up with Consumers Reports online and they wrote; <font color=blue>"Some synthetic oils, including Mobil 1 and Pennzoil Performax, are pricier than most and didn't give a performance edge in our taxi tests. In our lab tests, however, they flowed particularly well at very low temperatures yet maintained their viscosity at very high temperatures. Such oils may be a good choice if you drive hard in very hot or cold weather, or if you often tow heavy loads".</font color=blue> I am thinking that their test was Pet. oil centered and not complete where the synthetic oils are concerned. Any other reference points will be appreciated. Thanks Rich.