Amsoil 5W-30 Oil Analysis @ 15,000 miles

[wp3gi]

I thought it would be a good resource to post my Amsoil 5W-30 Oil Analysis after 15,000 miles of being in my Pilot. =)

[A6Pilot]

I wonder what the oil analysis would have shown had Mobil 1 been used under the same conditions? I would especially be concerned with the deterioration of the viscosity index over time.

[mmmmark]

This test doesn't show anything particularly useful since you can't compare this result to anything but itself.

Do you have plans to repeat the test with a different oil or a different time frame? That might be interesting.

Amsoil is an excellent oil. I run it in my Passat. Most of the friction engineers say it is superior to Mobil 1.

[fjwagner]

Originally posted by mmmmark
This test doesn't show anything particularly useful since you can't compare this result to anything but itself.

Do you have plans to repeat the test with a different oil or a different time frame? That might be interesting.

Amsoil is an excellent oil. I run it in my Passat. Most of the friction engineers say it is superior to Mobil 1.

What is a friction engineer? I enjoy all these threads about what is the best oil? The oils these days are typically all good and will protect your engine just fine. Why pay so much extra for the Amway of oil when there are many products cheaper that will protect as well if not better. When most people seem trade in their vehicle after three years or sometimes less (see posts in this forum), I cant see all of the teeth gnashing. Even for those of us that keep a car 200k, change it per the manual and move on. There are too many other things to truly "worry" about. 7500 miles works great! My track record with engines supports that.

I fully agree with your comments about comparison to what I would call a control. Multiple oils over different mileages is what is truly needed at the end of the day to make any type of conclusion other than the oil that I am using is holding up. If that gives someone confidence to keep on keeping on, that is value in itself.

PS: I work for ExxonMobil and in my 28 years there, I have never heard of a friction engineer! And Mobil 1 does just fine. I use Mobil 1 15-50 in my BMW with 150k and Mobil 5000 5w-20 in my Pilot with 24k. Fred

[mmmmark]

Sorry about the reference to "friction engineer"--I should have put it in quotes since no one will likely have a degree with those words hanging on their wall.

I've heard the word used in casual conversation in the automotive world and in the oil business in the area, but the real term is tribologist sometimes called lubrication engineer.

By definition, this is someone who studies the mechanisms of friction, lubrication, and wear of interacting surfaces.

Actually, I'd think that Exxon would have some of these in their employ. The chemical plant where my wife is a chemical engineer hires them as consultants regularly. I also know someone who is one for a pipeline monitoring company as well.

Back to the oils. There is always debate about which is best. The certifications are most important. The biggest improvements are in the engines themselves, which probably make the differences in oil less important than years ago.

Having said that, people still debate what oil is best. Google "mobil vs amsoil" and you'll get more than you care to read.

[fjwagner]

Originally posted by mmmmark


Actually, I'd think that Exxon would have some of these in their employ. The chemical plant where my wife is a chemical engineer hires them as consultants regularly. I also know someone who is one for a pipeline monitoring company as well.

Back to the oils. There is always debate about which is best. The certifications are most important. The biggest improvements are in the engines themselves, which probably make the differences in oil less important than years ago.

read.

My point on the oils is that there is so much teeth gnashing over oil selection. Any of the top tier oils will do well with your engine. Just comes down to personal preference and how good looking the girls are on the advertisements or your favorite NASCAR/ Indy Cart/ Formula 1 driver. I go with Mobil oils since they give me my paycheck. I probably would go with what is on sale otherwise! Turns out that Honda 5w-20 is probably Exxon Superflo. I have not been able to verify that internally though but working on it.

[mmmmark]

Originally posted by fjwagner

how good looking the girls are on the advertisements

Yeah, baby!!

[thomasj2]

Nice numbers on AL, at 50K mine's still shedding at 10 - 20 ppm at a 10Kmi oil change interval. Your copper is high, as is your silicon and iron. Did they give you a TBN? At 10Kmis I'm between 6 and 8 running M1 syn, and at 10Kmis it's still in spec on weight. I see your's went from a 5w30 to a 20w50, 50 is too high unless you are in the southwest. Personally I'd do the next oil change at 10K and retest.

[A6Pilot]

Kinda my earlier point earlier about the significant breakdown in viscosity after 15,000 miles with Amzoil. Doesn't that show a poor additive mixture?

Maybe a lube engineer could help us out here.

[wp3gi]

I am from the southeast, I live in Puerto Rico, summer all year round. 75 - 95 degree and 85% humidity.

[nolan65]

Decent report, however with no TBN we dont know how much additive is left. But with the Viscosity at 97.5. (In an engine that Honda specs 53+/-) I would not run 15,000 OCI. Maybe half that. Amsoil is a good oil. Worth the price? Thats up to you.