Save Money on Oil Changes

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Save Money on Oil Changes

Submitted by: anonymous 12/19/2008 6:32 PM

Rather than subscribe to the old school method of changing your motoroil every 3-4000 miles, consider using Amsoil synthetic motor oil (they have other lubricants too). I have used it in my Altima and Full size Chevy truck for years! It is the highest grade synthetic made. Runs $7-8 a qt, and the high efficiency filter is another $17 or so, BUT, you only have to change your oil every 12 months or 25K, whichever comes first. I've used it for years, great stuff! Check it out online at Amsoil.com or google it. There are distributers all over the place. You do have to change it yourself or get someone to do it for you, but you save time not making oil change appointments every 3-4 months, it will cost less over a years time than conventional motor oil, AND it is way better for your car so it will run better and last longer. Even better than the famous well advertised Moble 1. It is a win win situation.
Andy
Sachse, Tx

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Comments:

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this is a wonderful way to void a warranty on every make and model of vehicle on the market, if you have a problem amsoil had better stand behind it, because the manufacturer will not. if you go this route read-read-read the owners maintenance guide. a lot of them have information on running synthetic oils. ford semi-synthetic can go up to 5-7k, vw up to 10k. if you by a new vw, 09 and newer the maintenance is free for the warranty period. a little more homework is necessary before just jumping into it.

Posted by scott heineck on December 24, 2008 12:14 AM

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I think Andy meant a auto that is 4 or 5 years old and out of warranty not a new auto or truck Andy thanks for your information

Posted by Richard on December 26, 2008 1:37 PM

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Scott, I can certainly understand your skepticism about Amsoil. It cuts against the grain of our "habits" of getting the oil changed every 3-5 months or so. However, I do feel that your comments are unfounded. The use of Amsoil synthetic WILL NOT void a factory warranty. The manufacturer does not stand behind any specific brand of oil. You should check out www.amsoil.com online yourself and get educated. Also check out the following link: http://www.amsoil.com/magnuson_moss.aspx that is on the site under the faq tab on the left hand column of the home page. Synthetics don't really break down, they get dirty or contaminated and need changing. Using an inexpensive (ie. cheap) filter from your local auto parts store does not have the filtering capacity as the amsoil filter. There have been many articles written on Amsoil synthetic to support this. I agree with you, as with anything on this site, the consumer should look into it and do some research to educate themselves. And, just because of the extended change intervals, does not mean to only check under the hood at the same time. Routine checks should be made regardless of oil used.

Posted by Andy on December 26, 2008 4:09 PM

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I actually work for a dealer, as a service advisor, and I ran this by a couple of the reps, they said bad idea, if you don't follow the factory maintenance schedule, you can get a denied warranty claim. also a lot of manufacturers out there have a longer warranty on powertrain. i.e. internal lubricated parts inside the engine and transmission. VW has a 5/60 warranty on powertrain up until the 2008 model year, Hyundai is 10/100 powertrain on all models, ford is 5/100 on mid 07 and up models. All of these have their own maintenance schedule, and while using any brand is up to the consumer, the 12 month or 25k miles is pure insanity. They are the only manufacturer of synthetic oil that I can find that recommends this, almost all the other go up to 10k miles on pure synthetic.

Posted by Scott on December 27, 2008 11:02 PM

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amsoil is a great product.if you look into how amsoil got it's start was when the us airforce started using jets thier was no oil that could stand up to the heat,wear and tear on the engine parts so they developed synthetics so one of the pilot's said to himself that the synthetics wold great in cars.so its been around awhile,and remember the people that make the other oil make money every time you change your oil weather it needs it or not

Posted by luke on December 28, 2008 1:30 AM

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The issue is not what type of oil you use. The issue is waiting for 25k to change your oil. If you exceed the factory recommended oil change interval the factory can void your warranty. Waiting this long to change you oil is a bad idea also because alot can happen in an engine for 25k or a year. The oil is the first sign of engine problems and not checking for long intervals is just asking for you to miss a sign that something is wrong. Amsoil is a great product but waiting for 5k miles on a used car is not a good thing, no matter how good the oil is. Amsoil might be a wonderful problem free product but the other side of the equation is your engine, and nobody's engine is problem free.

Oh and being aircraft mx in the USAF for 7 years, I have never seen Amsoil on any of the oil drums we use to oil our jet engines.

Posted by David H on January 02, 2009 1:58 PM

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Many comments here by people lacking facts and clinging to old wives tales. With regard to last post by "USAF" mechanic, the drums may not say Amsoil, but what is inside is most certainly a high grade full synthetic lubricant. I am NOT an Amsoil dealer, but they most certainly mfg a very high quality product.

Posted by David S on January 02, 2009 6:19 PM

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When it comes to oil and oil changes, the best advice to follow is what is in the owner's manual for your car or truck. Use the viscosity and grade recommended and follow the change intervals recommended as well.

You are wasting your money if you change your oil every 3,000 miles and you are polluting the environment as well by doing so.

On the other hand, the recommendation to use Amsoil and change your oil every 25K miles is nonsense and will absolutely void your new car warranty. And Amsoil has not been proven to be better than Mobil 1, which is available for less than half the cost of Amsoil at Walmart.

Posted by RRubin on January 05, 2009 12:57 AM

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thanks RRubin for the heads up on not changing the oil every 3,000 miles. I checked the owner's manual and it says 5,000 miles. Where do the dealorships get off putting a sticker on the windshield saying 3,000? Like a sheep, I did it for years....at least 40 years. It kills me that I have wasted money and polluted without being aware of it.

Posted by spidermonkey on April 12, 2009 8:58 PM

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Are you going to get the same number of contaminates in your oil whether it is motor oil or synthetic oil? I prefer to change my oil @3000-4000 miles or 3-4 month interval whichever comes first no matter which oil I use. Arnold.

Posted by anonymous on June 03, 2009 2:31 PM

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