Switched to Amsoil Synthetic

[Flip-Side]

I just got my amsoil oil and filter this friday, after buying it online. The problem is, almost 1/3 of the gallon bottle of oil had leaked out all over my porch when it was delivered. Upon opening, I found the cap loose, and the seal beneath was broken allowing the oil to spill during shipment. I e-mailed amsoil with my info and they should be responding soon.My friend on base spotted me the amsoil I was short of and I changed it after flushing the engine with an "oil flush" from the auto store. I wanted a clean engine to start the amsoil off with. I have not noticed a difference yet, but I am waiting to see how this oil comes out after 10,000 miles. The pennzoil I know and love always came out much more dirty than I had expected, so I am hoping for better results even with the long change interval.Its these dang teeny tiny oil filters that worry me. Mabey thats why the oil is always so nasty. Anyone else have an opinion on this? UPDATE: Amsoil sent me a free gallon of oil 4 days after I e-mailed them on my issue. Good service.

[joatmon]

I've been running castrol gtx and changing about every 5K miles, and it comes out looking almost as honey colored as when it goes in. I caught grief for trying to compare oil color with quality, so I guess the color doesn't matter much, but it is still nice to see. What kind of filter have you been using?

[Flip-Side]

Been using the standard FRAM filter. Never had a problem before the vibe, but every change I've done on this car has had rather dirty oil come out. Even the new amsoil filter doesn't look any bigger, even though I thought it would be. My saturn had a huge oil filter in comparison, and the oil always came out fairly clean after 3000 miles. Guess I just think, "the bigger the filter, the more filtering surface there is before it gets saturated with dirt". I am not at all saying its just the size that matters. I am saying that depending on the filters quality to begin with, a larger filtering surface inside should perform better.It's not like the vibe doesn't have space for a bigger filter...

[cdFxer]

Caught grief for using oil color to denote quality? Funny, in industrial settings that is a well known and used quick check! They even have charts comparing oil colors to certain oil types/age/problems/etc. The closer it comes out to the color it started out as the better!

[Flip-Side]

Quote, originally posted by cdFxer »The closer it comes out to the color it started out as the better!I do agree with it also, but under certain conditions. That the color check can be used, but only when well within the oil "time change" interval. What is it...about 3000miles or every 3 months on most cars right? Well, I probly would not use the color check past those 3 months, or whatever time length involved for your oil. Hence why I am glad I got me some amsoil. Got plenty of time. Thanks to Admin II for educating me on the stuff. I decided against Royal Purple because of its additive package and the fact it uses Moly (a solid used for metal lubrication, that I once used on my handguns). It just did not sit well with me. Plus I use Military spec. Militec, so my metal surfaces are already treated against wear, buildup, and corrosion.