AmsOil problem at Dealership

[AlexJet]

I've decided to give AmsOil a try. So I bought 6 quart bottles of AmsOil 5W30 Oil and K&N Oil Filter, and went to the dealership.
Result: I was turned out.
I was told that Toyota didn't approve AmsOil as replacement oil. So they were agree to put K&N Oil Filter (not at first time, but after I called for General Manager, they said yes), but not AmsOil. At the beginning they tried to sell me "Toyota Brand Synthetic Oil", but after I've explained them that Toyota is not making the oil by itself and buying someone else oil, then just changing the label. So after some time and help of General Manager, the Service Adviser was agree to put Mobil 1 Synthetic or Castrol Syntec, if I would provide them with this oil, but no way to go with AmsOil.
I tried to call few other dealers in my area. All of them didn't want to use AmsOil, due to Toyota didn't approve it and I was told that AmsOil doesn't have API certification. In a same time I saw the API/SAE logo on the bottle.
Have anyone experience the same problem? Can someone confirm information about AmsOil? I used to use Mobil 1 and never had any problems with that oil, just want to extend service intervals from 5000 to 10000 miles. May be try Castrol Syntec??? I still have warranty on my truck.

 

[iFORCE]

why not use Mobil1? It is a synthetic you know and you can extend your service intervals to what you posted. I've had no problems running Mobil1 in all our cars.

 

[Gangus2006]

Use Royal Purple!

Or, get some Mobil1 jugs, dump them out, and dump your Amsoil into that.

 

[AlexJet]

why not use Mobil1? It is a synthetic you know and you can extend your service intervals to what you posted. I've had no problems running Mobil1 in all our cars.

iFORCE, what Mobil 1 Oil are using? Is it regular Synthetic 5W30? I'm afraid regular Synthetic Mobil 1 Oil would last for 16000km (10000miles). I know that Mobil 1 Extended Performance does support long service intervals, but it's available here in Canada. AmsOil guarantees 25000miles (40000km), but I was thinking of 16000km (10000miles) which is 2.5 less.

 

[iFORCE]

iFORCE, what Mobil 1 Oil are using? Is it regular Synthetic 5W30? I'm afraid regular Synthetic Mobil 1 Oil would last for 16000km (10000miles). I know that Mobil 1 Extended Performance does support long service intervals, but it's available here in Canada. AmsOil guarantees 25000miles (40000km), but I was thinking of 16000km (10000miles) which is 2.5 less.

regular Synthetic Mobil1 5W30. The problem is not that the oil gets dirty.. its the filter. Even if you can extend the oil to 16000km.. you're filter can't last that long without being changed out. I rather just change both the oil and filter out at around 16000km. What's the difference between changing the oil twice a year versus once a year?

 

[AlexJet]

regular Synthetic Mobil1 5W30. The problem is not that the oil gets dirty.. its the filter. Even if you can extend the oil to 16000km.. you're filter can't last that long without being changed out. I rather just change both the oil and filter out at around 16000km. What's the difference between changing the oil twice a year versus once a year?

I'm using K&N Performance Oil Filter. It can handle up to 24000km (15000miles). So Filter is not the problem point, anyway if it's necessary the filter can be easily changed in 2min.
You saying that regular Synthetic 5W30 Mobil 1 is working fine for 16000km in your truck...???

 

[SWUtah]

I've decided to give AmsOil a try. So I bought 6 quart bottles of AmsOil 5W30 Oil and K&N Oil Filter, and went to the dealership.
Result: I was turned out.
I was told that Toyota didn't approve AmsOil as replacement oil. So they were agree to put K&N Oil Filter (not at first time, but after I called for General Manager, they said yes), but not AmsOil. At the beginning they tried to sell me "Toyota Brand Synthetic Oil", but after I've explained them that Toyota is not making the oil by itself and buying someone else oil, then just changing the label. So after some time and help of General Manager, the Service Adviser was agree to put Mobil 1 Synthetic or Castrol Syntec, if I would provide them with this oil, but no way to go with AmsOil.
I tried to call few other dealers in my area. All of them didn't want to use AmsOil, due to Toyota didn't approve it and I was told that AmsOil doesn't have API certification. In a same time I saw the API/SAE logo on the bottle.
Have anyone experience the same problem? Can someone confirm information about AmsOil? I used to use Mobil 1 and never had any problems with that oil, just want to extend service intervals from 5000 to 10000 miles. May be try Castrol Syntec??? I still have warranty on my truck.

Go ahead and use the Amsoil, since your going to use it for 10K miles you will already be breaching your Toyota engine warranty by going over 5K miles so you might as well use an oil that doesn't have the API approval. They can't kill you twice If you still want warranty coverage then use Mobil 1 and change it every 5K miles.

 

[coldbivy]

If you want to use Amsoil, why not just change it yourself?

Is that prohibited in Canada or overly inconvenient?

 

[coldbivy]

Also, why are you guys obsessing about 10K changes? I don't think you'll see an oil related engine failure with semi-reasonable changes until you get super high miles, so any anecdotal evidence you have about whether it is OK on a newer vehicle doesn't mean much. (As in "My 30K vehicle is still running well even though I've only changed the oil once" -- no big surprise)

You'd need statistical evidence from a large sample size of high-mileage vehicles or accelerated life testing to know whether it is OK or not.

 

[Bobby]

As iFORCE stated, it's not the oil that's the problem going that long between oil changes. The filter gets dirty and needs to be replace. Most, if not all, full synthetics can go over 10k miles and not lose it's lubricating properties. Mobil's push with it's 5k, 10k, 15k oils is marketing B$. I use Castrol Syntec 5w30 and change oil every 8k-10k miles. I just switched from Syntec 5w40 which was really hard to find to Mobil1 5w40 on my bike with a Mobil1 oil filter. If you want to get anal about oil, Blackstone Labs will send you a test kit for free to take a sample of your used oil. You send it to them and they charge $20 to test it.

K&N isn't a very good oil filter. There was a post a while back and the factory filter is one of the best so I just bought a case of 12 for $40 on eBay. Should last me 120k miles (I'm at 14k)

Don't overthink your choice of oils. Get a good synthetic and filter, change regularly (10k interval is good) and you'll be fine.

 

[SWUtah]

go to this site and learn all you can about oil/filter changes and air filters www.bobistheoilguy.com look at the UOA on our engines that have used different types of oils and different intervals and then do your thing.

 

[Whoknows]

BS from stealership

I'm about to switch to Amsoil and believe you have a course of action. This is from the Amsoil website:

If you have heard from any member of a business that the use of AMSOIL Motor Oil or the practice of extending drain intervals will void warranties, send AMSOIL all the details including the name of the business, business owner or manager and the individual making the claims, in a signed and dated letter. Send the letter to the Technical Services Department at corporate headquarters and an AMSOIL representative will send them a letter explaining the facts.

Nearly 30 years ago, AMSOIL synthetics represented a vision of the future and technology ahead of their time. Since then, every major engine oil manufacturer has introduced synthetic oils of their own. To be sure, many original equipment manufacturers would like you to believe you can only use their products. However, it s a violation of the consumer protections set forth in the Magnuson-Moss Act, unless they re willing to provide you those products free of charge.

Here is the corporate address:

AMSOIL INC.
AMSOIL Building
Superior, Wisconsin 54880
Phone: (715) 392-7101
Fax: (715) 392-5225

 

[SWUtah]

Re: BS from stealership

I'm about to switch to Amsoil and believe you have a course of action. This is from the Amsoil website:

If you have heard from any member of a business that the use of AMSOIL Motor Oil or the practice of extending drain intervals will void warranties, send AMSOIL all the details including the name of the business, business owner or manager and the individual making the claims, in a signed and dated letter. Send the letter to the Technical Services Department at corporate headquarters and an AMSOIL representative will send them a letter explaining the facts.

Nearly 30 years ago, AMSOIL synthetics represented a vision of the future and technology ahead of their time. Since then, every major engine oil manufacturer has introduced synthetic oils of their own. To be sure, many original equipment manufacturers would like you to believe you can only use their products. However, it s a violation of the consumer protections set forth in the Magnuson-Moss Act, unless they re willing to provide you those products free of charge.

Here is the corporate address:

AMSOIL INC.
AMSOIL Building
Superior, Wisconsin 54880
Phone: (715) 392-7101
Fax: (715) 392-5225

Your right and as long as the Amsoil product meets or exceeds all of the requirements of the auto manufacture then you are home free. The problem is with many of the high end synthetic oil products that Amsoil markets they have not gone to the API and gotten the certifaction of the oil so they can't display the API donut that the auto manufacture requires. Now the oil they are selling may be "better" WHO REALLY KNOWS??? But if you have a engine failure using this oil that does not have the donut and Toyota determines that it was a lube problem then you are in a bad position between the auto manufacture that says you voided your warranty and Amsoil that will say it was not their oil. You might end up winning this battle with the help of Amsoil and a lawyer. Here is my question, why go through this hassle? Just use Mobil 1 that has the donut and meets the API and Toyotas warranty requirements. If you go to www.bobistheoilguy.com you will see that Mobil 1 performs as good if not better then Amsoil in used oil analysis. Why deal with the hassle on a vehicle that is still under warranty. Now if your vehicle is no longer under warranty then use the Amsoil. I used in on my 1995 Landcruiser and it is great oil. I recommend it. I just don't want to deal with any possible hassle when I can go to Costco and buy Mobil 1 5w30 for less then $5 a bottle. JMHO

 

[cpayne5]

Well, sounds like you're either gonna have to change the oil yourself or take it to a shop that will change it for you.

No matter what the oil is, if the oil is the failure point in a warrantied vehicle, Toyota will say tough luck and send you to the oil manufacturer anyway.

Check out this link for a previous conversation on the topic
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?postid=104727

 

[Larry]

Telling you that you can't use Amsoil is just typical of the knowledge level at many dealerships. Amsoil is a good oil, just like many other oils, synthetic or not. There is no need for them to tell you things like that. You should consider that if they know nothing about engine oil, what else will they come up with, while working on your vehicle. They are either stupid and uninformed, or they make more money selling you something else. You have your choice, stupid or greedy. On your next service just leave both your 4Runner and your credit card. They can take care of both. For your part, the only other thing you have to do is grab your ankle and squeel like a piggy, unless you want to go someplace else.

 

[AlexJet]

Telling you that you can't use Amsoil is just typical of the knowledge level at many dealerships. Amsoil is a good oil, just like many other oils, synthetic or not. There is no need for them to tell you things like that. You should consider that if they know nothing about engine oil, what else will they come up with, while working on your vehicle. They are either stupid and uninformed, or they make more money selling you something else. You have your choice, stupid or greedy. On your next service just leave both your 4Runner and your credit card. They can take care of both. For your part, the only other thing you have to do is grab your ankle and squeel like a piggy, unless you want to go someplace else.

I think they do not want to use AmsOil products is API certification. If something will go wrong and Toyota will figure out that dealer used not API approved oil, the dealer will be fully responsible for the repair. The dealership just doesn't want to get involve in this. This info I got this morning from my contact in the dealership, which I can trust, because we know each other for many years and he is not getting any benefits if I'll come to this dealer for service or will do it myself.

 

[SWUtah]

I think they do not want to use AmsOil products is API certification. If something will go wrong and Toyota will figure out that dealer used not API approved oil, the dealer will be fully responsible for the repair. The dealership just doesn't want to get involve in this. This info I got this morning from my contact in the dealership, which I can trust, because we know each other for many years and he is not getting any benefits if I'll come to this dealer for service or will do it myself.

Your right if they install it they buy the potential for the future repair. You would never find any dealer that would install a product that the manufacture states, they don't support the use of that product (ie non API approved oil) I don't understand why anyone would want to risk the use of a non API approved oil in their new vehicle, when there are API approved oils that are as good or better for less money???

 

[AlexJet]

Your right if they install it they buy the potential for the future repair. You would never find any dealer that would install a product that the manufacture states, they don't support the use of that product (ie non API approved oil) I don't understand why anyone would want to risk the use of a non API approved oil in their new vehicle, when there are API approved oils that are as good or better for less money???

Another point is that AmsOil 5W30 (ASL) which I want is API approved. That's the case when this particular Oil was approved. Here is information from AmsOil website:
AMSOIL Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil is recommended for use in gasoline engines and other applications requiring any of the listed worldwide specifications:
-- API SM/CF, SL, SJ ...
-- ILSAC GF-4- 3 ...
-- ACEA A5/B5
-- JASO VTW
-- GM 4718M, 6094M
-- Ford WSS M2C929-A
-- Daimler Chrysler MS-6395N
-- VW 503.00, 505.00

 

[Whoknows]

API

Just MHO, but the whole thing is rather silly. The chances that a new engine is going to "go bad" from a lubrication problem, while under warranty is very small. The chance that AmsOil or any other leading oil will be the cause is astronimically small. AmsOil exceeds the requirments of API, they just didn't pay to get the "donut".
AMSOIL Series 2000 Synthetic 0W-30 Motor Oil meets or exceeds the engine protection requirements of all domestic and foreign gasoline and diesel engines specifying the following:
API SL/CF, SJ, SH
ILSAC GF-2, GF-3
ACEA A1/B1, A2/B2, A3/B3
Chrysler MS-6395M
Ford WSS-M2C-913A/B
GM 4718M, 6094M
VW 502.00 (HTHS is 3.4)
DaimlerChrysler 229.5, 229.3
JASO VTW

I can see why a stealer could not put the AmSoil in (b/c they can due to no "donut"), but they cannot tell you that it voids the warranty, this is just nonesense.

 

[SWUtah]

Re: API

Just MHO, but the whole thing is rather silly. The chances that a new engine is going to "go bad" from a lubrication problem, while under warranty is very small. The chance that AmsOil or any other leading oil will be the cause is astronimically small. AmsOil exceeds the requirments of API, they just didn't pay to get the "donut".
AMSOIL Series 2000 Synthetic 0W-30 Motor Oil meets or exceeds the engine protection requirements of all domestic and foreign gasoline and diesel engines specifying the following:
API SL/CF, SJ, SH
ILSAC GF-2, GF-3
ACEA A1/B1, A2/B2, A3/B3
Chrysler MS-6395M
Ford WSS-M2C-913A/B
GM 4718M, 6094M
VW 502.00 (HTHS is 3.4)
DaimlerChrysler 229.5, 229.3
JASO VTW

I can see why a stealer could not put the AmSoil in (b/c they can due to no "donut"), but they cannot tell you that it voids the warranty, this is just nonesense.

Agreed, its a long shot. But new of a guy on my Cummins Turbo diesel site that had a problem. Ended up being the oil filter, but his records showed he had gone over the OCI and used a non approved oil. The dealer and DC jumped on this fact and denied warranty coverage. It cost him a lawyer and the expense of a engineer to end up proving that it was a oil filter failure (OEM filter). DC finally paid for the repair but he was down for several months. I'm just saying why take the chance of using a non API oil? Now if it is a API oil then the dealer is an asshole