Fluids (all kinds)

[rockclmbr]

Just a few questions about what you all are running...

Fuel: It says Premium only, but I've been running the 89 octane in California and it doens't ping, runs just fine.

ATF, oil, and gear lube: I've stuck with Mobil 1 Synth for the gear and oil and I just use Toyota ATF.

I've been reading up on the Amsoil. Is this stuff what it's cracked up to be? I hate trying to locate all the grease and oil I need at out lousy local auto parts stores whom are always out. It seems like everytime I go to change something I have to make 3 trips to different autoparts stores to get everything I need. It sure would be nice to just mail order the stuff. Any comments would be nice.

 

[hank14]

I did the Amsoil Preferred Customer deal to get the extra discount, then calculated everything I needed for 2 years of maintenance on both vehicles, and ordered it all at once- gear oil, tranny fluid, grease, oil filters, long life engine oil. It cost more up front, but I didn't have to make all trips you mentioned, and I was more likely to do the PM since everything was on hand.

I don't have any good objective data regarding the oil. I flushed my tranny with Amsoil ATF and drain the pan once a year, drain the diffs and t-case once a year, change the oil filter twice a year and the oil once a year. I believe they have enough history out there to be trusted, although I'm not crazy about the way they sell their products- encouraging the pyramid approach. If it couldn't be ordered direct from them, I would probably do another brand instead.

I do run premium unleaded all the time. I had some pinging when I first bought mine with 115,000 miles on it- mainly under a heavy load. I don't drive a lot of miles, so the price difference doesn't bother me, and I knew what it needed when I bought it, so I took that into consideration.

 

[calamaridog]

Amsoil products are top notch. Personally, I run Mobil 1... Not sure anymore if I will use the Mobil 1 motor oil anymore because they have changed some of the formulas and I'm not sure what they are like.

 

[cruisermaine]

Amsoil products are top notch. Personally, I run Mobil 1... Not sure anymore if I will use the Mobil 1 motor oil anymore because they have changed some of the formulas and I'm not sure what they are like.

I was not aware of any changes to Mobil 1.... what sort of changes? It is still full synth right? What makes you believe it might not be as good? I'm really curious as I have been using it for many years.

 

[NMuzj100]

I would be an Amsoil evangelist if they didn't have the stupid multi-level marketing system.

I run Amsoil in engine,tranny,t-case,diffs and drivetrain lube but I wouldn't hesitate to run Mobile 1,Castrol or any other of the quality products. Luckily I have a Amsoil distributor 5 blocks from my house who runs a regular shop and always has what I need in stock.

For all your oil ?s Check out bobistheoilguy.com

I am undecided on the premium or standard gas ?. I doubt it matters because the ECU is constantly adjusting timing and I have never had any pinging. But that could be a function of my altitude. Newer models of the same engine recommend regular fuel but I buy premium most of the time anyway. I need to do a real MPG test to see if there is a real difference.

 

[calamaridog]

They appear to still have the Mobil 1 synthetic which I have also been running in my vehicles for several years on the shelves of the parts stores. They also have 3 new oils on the shelves, 5,000mi. dino, 7500 mi. synthetic blend, and 15,000 mi. full synthetic.

Don't know if they are continuing the current Mobil 1 synthetic or not but I'm going to buy several cases at Costco just in case

 

[hank14]

The extended drain intervals have been well documented, but from their literature, I know Amsoil sells a 7500 mile oil to meet new car warranty requirements. That is, if you took a new vehicle with original factory drivetrain warranty and did the 25,000 mile/1 year oil change with the 12,500 mile/ 6 month filter change, the warranty may void if there was a claim. I imagine Mobil 1 is doing the same thing. I also believe the cost savings of less frequent changes is beneficial, and don't mind less environmental impact (and I work 250 yards from a refinery).

Now, would anyone like to sign up to be a dealer? It only takes a few minutes? JK. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

 

[ATLcrusher]

They appear to still have the Mobil 1 synthetic which I have also been running in my vehicles for several years on the shelves of the parts stores. They also have 3 new oils on the shelves, 5,000mi. dino, 7500 mi. synthetic blend, and 15,000 mi. full synthetic.

Don't know if they are continuing the current Mobil 1 synthetic or not but I'm going to buy several cases at Costco just in case

I've got a case of what I'm guessing is "the old" (I've had it for a few months), but how do you tell new from old?

 

[calamaridog]

The older stuff just says Mobil 1 supersyn whereas the newer stuff has the 5,000, 7500, or 15,000 mi. labels. The container is shaped a little different as well...

I have no idea if the formula is different between the Mobil 1 supersyn and the 15,000 mi. full synthetic, that is what I'm going to find out!

 

[NMuzj100]

I have no idea if the formula is different between the Mobil 1 supersyn and the 15,000 mi. full synthetic, that is what I'm going to find out!

All the major oil makers are reformulating now to prepare for a new standard. The Mobil 15k will be more like the Amsoil products designed for long intervals with hefty additives packages. The 7.5k about where they are now with Mobile 1. And 5k for those who want a full synth but don't want to pay for extended interval additives.

 

[calamaridog]

Well, the 5,000 mi. is dino and the 7,500 mi. is synthetic blend. So I assume the new 15,000 mi. is different because it has more additives than the previous full synthetic Mobil 1? Or it is exactly the same with a new bottle?

I've always run the Mobil 1 for 7,500 mi. between changes in my 3.4 V6. I know there was more use in it, as others have run the same oil for 10,000 mi. in the same engine and the lab results came back withing acceptable ranges. I was changing the Mobil 1 filter every 7,500 mi. so it made sense to change the oil too.

So, with a 15,000 mi. interval, how many filter changes are we talking? Every 5,000 mi. with a conventional filter? And maybe every 7,500 mi. with a high quality filter such as Amsoil or Mobil 1?

 

[NMuzj100]

I have seen several UOAs done on oils run in the 4.7L V8 for over 10,000 miles with a OEM filter and they didn't indicate any filtering problems. This engine is very easy on oil and probably an ideal candidate for extended drain interervals.

Whether or not extended intervals are wise varies from engine to engine and also with average trip length.

On the otherhand I run extremely conservative intervals on my V6 Camry. This engine is known to be hard on oils and neglected engines have had sludging problems. The car also sees daily short trips where the engine barely gets up to temperature.