Engine Oils

[elkaboom]

Actually, all of the literature I've read about engine oils (and there is a whole f'ing lot of it out there), points to Amsoil as being the oil of choice if you're an oil snob.
Mobile 1 is definitely good stuff -it score very, very high on most tests that it's subjected to and proves to be a superior product without doubt.
However, Amsoil and Amsoil products are rated even higher in most lab tests.
The only problem with it is, that it's difficult find and it's expensive; like $6.00 a quart expensive...
I've alway's Castrol GTX 10W30 dino and never had any problems (and we get some extreme temp fluctuations throughout the year in NE Ohio -hehe, ask brat4by4.
In any event, you could probably put coffee grounds in your car as long as you changed it soon enough. The thing about oil is that most are comparable in terms performance and wear resistance for the first 3k miles. It's only after the thermal breakdown period begins that you start to realize how well the quality brands are engineered, and how differently they're formulated than inexpensive brands.

[evolutionmovement]

I'd get Amsoil, but for the factors you mentioned. Mobil 1's expensive enough, but at least I can get it anywhere. I would like to find a cheaper alternative that I could trust with my long oil change schedule, though. Plus I just hate the Mobil corporation. I heard some new Mercedes-Benzes have oil change sensors that somehow monitor oil condition and can go almost 20K before claiming to need a change. I don't know what the sensor looks at to determine, but I believe M-B uses Mobil 1 from the factory.

Steve

[BAC5.2]

The sensors monitor viscosity. Any breakdown and the light goes off.

Ferrari uses Mobil-1 Synthetic from the factory. Most high performance cars come with Mobil-1.

Bob - I've heard bad things about Amsoil. Not about design, but about longetivity. Their "lab-tests" are done by themselves. They claim 10k between oil changes, but that can be accomplished by any oil, it's just a matter of driving habits. Keep it under 2k on the highway for 10k in consistant conditions, and any good oil will last just as well.

The only REAL way to test is to get an oil condition profile. You get a test kit (I think they sell them at Walmart or somewhere) and mail off a sample. They mail back the condition of the oil. When it becomes low in quality, you replace the oil. This is how freight trains go long distances and times without replacing the oil.

[vrg3]

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ will send you a free test kit for an oil analysis.

I don't know whether I believe Amsoil is really different from other synthetics. They were the first to produce synth lube for cars, I believe, and I have heard two separate accounts of vehicles running Amsoil motor oil which lost their oil (one was off-roading and punctured the oil pan and the other lost its oil filter somehow) but were able to limp home several miles without engine damage.

Don't most engines that come from the factory with synthetic oil first undergo a break-in process at the factory which is done with regular dino oil?