Just switched to Amsoil 5w30 on my 04 Vibe w 78,000 miles

[rmlmt]

I know when it comes to oils everybody has their own personal preference. But for me personally I'm going with Amsoil because I've heard so many good things about the product. My 04 Vibe has 78,500 miles and I just did the oil change and I went with Amsoil 5w30 with a Toyota filter. Although they say you can go up to 25,000 miles or one year between oil changes using Amsoil or 15,000 miles or one year for severe driving conditions and after initial and subsequent oil change there after in engines with over 100,000 miles. I'll still change it out at no more 7500 mile intervals to be on the safe side, because after the initial switch, I heard the Amsoil does such a good job cleaning your engine and of removing all the old oil sludge from the engine oil passage ways and restoring the valve seals, and also because Amsoil doesn't make an extended life oil filter for the Vibe, so I'm not going to run a Toyota oil filter for more that 7500 miles. It will be nice doing an oil change once a year instead of every 3 months.

[hextavo]

I've been running this oil for the last 60,000 miles (or two oil changes) I'm switching to their 0w-30 synthetic, my main thoughts are for the cold weather starts, and they also list that the change interval is even greater, 30k i believe?? I've ran my 5w-30 though for the 25k mile changes with no problems! I did get a note from amsoil though stating something about following the manufactures recommendation for the vibe (i'm guessing it was for cars under warranty).. Regardless I didn't care for their note and went with the 25k oil change! They do say you have to use their fine particle filter though to achieve the 25k.. I'm going to be switching my filter up at 15k when i do the 30k interval! Using 2 of amsoils filter... Oh I just checked and its 35k for the 0w-30! I wouldn't advise changing your oil at 7500, I've read that with synthetics that are designed for high mileage that additives won't really kick in until say 20k of the 25k.. So you would be cheating yourself and not getting the effect of the additives! I did change my oil out early for the first switch, I think I used a blended synthetic with some additive to clean out gunked up engines! I've had absolutely no engine problems so far, knock on wood. Other than the minor problems that came with my used vibe :/! Just wanted to share my experience with the amsoil, I love not crawling under my car every 5k, or 7.5k miles ! I hope I can do the 30k, and just change out my filter!

[beemerphile1]

All BS in my opinion.

[hextavo]

Huh why all BS? I'm pretty sure that is exactly what I do with my car.. Why would I want to change my oil every 3,000 if I can achieve changing it every 30,000??? Hell I don't even change my high revving motorcycles oil for around 7-10 thousand, granted its not on the track yet.. So why is this BS?

[jasonvibe]

I think everyone is missing an IMPORTANT point. That the oil manufacturers do NOT point out.Yes, the oil is NOT worn out. BUT Your oil filter just cannot last 30k w/o being clogged up. I suggest you change the filter by 8k. It's easy to fill the filter prior to install.

[beemerphile1]

Quote, originally posted by hextavo »Huh why all BS? I'm pretty sure that is exactly what I do with my car.. Why would I want to change my oil every 3,000 if I can achieve changing it every 30,000?...The answer is simple. The reason for changing the oil is to remove the contaminants that are suspended in the oil. Contaminants like acid that is a byproduct of combustion, condensation, and dirt particles. It is NOT because the oil is worn out.Some dirt is removed by the filter but none of the accumulated acids. If a filter was restrictive enough to remove all dirt it would plug up constantly. Modern filters are designed with bypass valving that opens after the filter becomes restricted beyond a set point. I wonder how many people are driving around with an oil filter that is doing nothing because the bypass is open allowing all dirt to pass right through.The oil may last forever but for that 30,000 miles you are also circulating all the accumulated dirt, acid and other contaminants in the engine. It's your engine, do what you want. But to be fair if you sell the car someday, I hope you tell the buyer how you have faithfully changed the oil every 30,000 miles.BTW my manual calls for oil changes every 5,000 miles, not 3,000.

[vibolista]

Any mpg improvements with Amsoil?

[hextavo]

^ to Vibo--- My last 2 trips were 34-36, I'd say I may get 1-2 more with the oil, but I've been running synthetic for most of the time I've had the car, so maybe It'd do that anyways---And to comment on the rest-- The filters I buy from Amsoil say they are good for 15,000 miles right on the filter box. They are their high particulate filters.. Remember that amsoil isn't like your walmart or mobile 1 sythetic oil, check what group your oil is in, AMSOIL is 4, a PAO (Polyalphaolefin) oil, I'm pretty sure most others are in the group 3 range... In other words Its truely synthetic, please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Salsa Guy]

AMSoil is a good product! The only reason I selected Mobil 1 is you can get it just about anywhere. Also I change my filter at 5K. Oil & Filter every 10K

[rmlmt]

**Update** it's been about 6 months so far I've put 3,000 miles on my Vibe since switching to Amsoil.. I checked the dip stick and the oil still looks clean, and I just checked my gas mileage from my last tank full of gas and got 35MPG (60% city/40% highway driving on this tank full).. Which is a huge improvement from the 26MPG I use to get since I mostly do a lot of short trips (less than 10 miles).. Of course I can't give the oil all the credit. Along with checking for proper tire pressure and using Amsoil oil, I have also changed my driving habits to get the best fuel mileage and used a bottle of Amsoil - Pi Performance Improver to a tank of gas back when I did the oil switch to help clean out deposits that form on the fuel injectors, intake valves and combustion chamber.. http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/api.aspxI just got new tires installed so I'm hoping that will add a few more MPG's ...I would have to say the biggest thing that has helped my fuel mileage is driving more efficiently http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtmlI never knew gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. This last tank full I drove no faster than 60mph on the highway(Which Pissed-offed every one behind me..lol) and gradually brought my car up to the speed limit from a stop as opposed to my normal habit of gunning it at every green light.Since I do mostly short trips, my car falls under the Severe Service schedule which was normally 3 months or 3,000 miles.. With the Amsoil it's one year or 15,000 miles. And the Toyota oil filter is good for one year or 7,500 milesSince I usually average about 7,000 miles per year, the time always comes before the miles. And I just found out Amsoil now offers an Oil filter for the Vibe that is good for One year or 15,000 miles. so I'll use that on the next change.Being able to extend my drain intervals from every 3 months to only once a year is the main reason I chose to go with Amsoil because it's the only oil I trust in my car for extended oil change intervals... Since I do my own oil changes it's nice not having to get under the car every 3 months and doing my part to save the environment by having less used oil to take to get recycled each time..