Bill_SoCal

What a great way to start the New Year! Beautiful car and a new addition to the family. Congratulations and all the best to you 2008!

Good morning Doug, I am certainly not questioning your expertise and contribution in regard to oil. Your comment that "there is NO best oil" is a generalization and I would argue that while there may not be an absolute best, there are oils that perform significantly better than others. We both know that first off all synthetic oils offer better performance attributes than conventional oils. Starting there, there is a better oil. We also know that each company uses different additives in their products to achieve a certain quality expectation while also achieving a price point. Of the industry standard tests, depending on the additives, some engine oils will perform better than others, and overall, you certainly have a best grouping of engine oils. You simply can't say that one product can't be developed that meets performance attributes better than another. We own Porsches because we feel they are a very well made care with a legacy we want to be part of. Is my Cayenne better than a Ford Explorer? I'm sure some could offer the same debate as you do for engine oil. Based on the data, the performance criteria available, I can make an educated judgment that my Cayenne is indeed superior to an Explorer. Would everyone come to that conclusion based on the same data? Maybe not. I grew up driving VW's and researching oil. I have been actively involved in the industry for over a decade. It is true, I am involved with Synpsg, who distributes Amsoil as their exclusive product offering. You could certainly call me a representative or dealer, but I'm also a Porsche guy. The fact remains, based on the research data I've seen, overall I would not use anything but Amsoil or Mobil 1; and my choice, based on the data, is Amsoil. I certainly didn't mean my prior response to be an Amsoil blurb...I too am a Porsche enthusiast no different than you. And as far as other vehicles, my daughter has a new BMW 325i. It too comes with four year maintenance. I immediately changed out the Castrol. Again, this decision was based on data too. I have never seen an industry recognized test where Castrol has finished first in a specific category...never. If you have, please share it with me. My daughter's BMW uses 5W-30...I changed over to SSO 0W-30. Based on the four ball wear test, here are the top oils by market share: 0W-30 Scroll down and look at the performance test. While I can't say conclusively that Amsoil is the best, I will say it ranks with the best grouping of top oils available today. There is clearly a difference as there are different quality levels for every additive that goes into to manufacturing engine oil. There are better oils than others. No doubt about it...every product offers different quality levels. That's how we as consumers differentiate and make buying decisions. Appreciate being allowed to contribute to the board. Glad to be here... Best regards, Bill SSO 0W-30 '05 BMW AFL 5W-40 '03 Boxster 107K AFL 5W-40 '06 Cayenne AFL 5W-40 '08 Cayenne S

Hi Loren and Doug, While the oils on the list are in fact Porsche approved, 95% of those engine oils I wouldn't use in my lawn mower (actually, I use small eng synthetic SAE 30w for the lawnmower). Porsche also calls our for Chevron gas in my owner's manuals (and I do use Chevron, because like Amsoil, the data clearly proves it is superior). The Magnuson-Moss Act prevents a car company from voiding an engine warranty based on oil manufacturer. You may or may not be aware of this. I will take the question posed in regard to Porsche specific lubricants back to Amsoil technical for a formal response. I'll share the information when I get it. Here's what I do know as of today: "If you are interested in using AMSOIL motor oil, but concerned that using a synthetic oil or extending your oil drain interval will void your warranty, you have no need for concern. Congress in 1975 enacted the federal Magnuson-Moss Act to regulate written consumer product warranties. An examination of the law reveals warranties remain intact when AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants are used. The law was meant to give consumers detailed information about warranty coverage before they buy. Congress charged the Federal Trade Commission with creation of the specifics of the law. The FTC set down three rules under the Act: the Disclosure Rule, the Pre-Sale Availability Rule and the Dispute Resolution Rule. Those rules require warrantors to title their written warranty as either full or limited, provide a single, clear and easy-to-read document that spells out certain information about coverage and ensure that warranties are available where the products are sold so that consumers can read them before buying. In passing the Act, Congress meant to give consumers access to warranty information, let consumers comparison shop for warranties, encourage warranty competition and promote timely and complete performance of warranty obligations. While the Magnuson-Moss Act does not require manufacturers to provide a written warranty, it provides specific rules when one is provided. Among those provisions, FTC regulations state: © No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumers using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this subsection may be waived by the Commission if (1) the warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and (2) the Commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest. (15 U.S.C.2302©) That means your warranty stands when you use AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants. Vehicle manufacturers recommend lubricants according to their viscosity grade and service classification. Any oil, whether its conventional petroleum motor oil or synthetic, meeting the correct viscosity grade, 5W-30 for example, and the current API and ILSAC North American service classifications may be used without affecting warranty coverage. AMSOIL motor oils are recommended for use in applications requiring these specifications. Furthermore, the practice of extending oil drain intervals does not void warranties. Original equipment manufacturers pay or deny warranty claims based on the findings of failure analysis. To affect the vehicle warranty, the lubricant must be directly responsible for the failure. If the oil didn't cause the problem the warranty cannot be voided, regardless of brand or length of time in use. Synthetic motor oil was introduced to the automotive public in 1972 by AMSOIL, INC., with the world's first API rated synthetic motor oil specially formulated for long service and superior performance and protection to that of conventional oils. 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. AMSOIL offers a warranty that covers the cost of repair or replacement of a proven mechanically sound engine damaged as a result of using AMSOIL synthetic motor oil. However, it has never happened. Thirty years of experience proves AMSOIL can be installed in any vehicle with complete confidence (retrieved from http://www.amsoil.com/magnuson_moss.aspx on 01/03/08)." I'm certainly not a lawyer, but based on this information, I'm not sure I understand the warranty concern and replacement cost if Amsoil is proven to be a top performing engine oil (all backed with benchmarking data) and stands behind the performance of the product. Have you seen a replacement warranty like that from any other manufacturer? I drove my 2003 Boxster off the lot with 17 miles...I just hit 107,000 miles. I've used Amsoil since the first oil change and never had a problem with the vehicle. As a matter of fact, it's a daily driver and I average 29mpg to this day...and that's freeway driving through the San Diego mountains. The engine is sound...I installed a drive belt, front brakes, and plugs at 60K...other than that, just waiting for my 120K service (I haven't even installed rear brakes yet). Both my Cayenne's are running Amsoil and my dealership offers free oil changes for the life of each vehicle...intead of Mobil 1, it's Amsoil. Of course I have to pay for the oil...I choose to install Amsoil due to the overall performance aspects that I find superior to the 2nd best product. For me, it's simply a matter of evaluating the data. Bill with synpsg.com

Hi Paul, Just catching up on this thread...Mobil 1 is a synthetic oil. I'm a Porsche owner, however, I work with Synpsg too, which is an distributor for Amsoil products. Synthetic oils actually prevent the huge problem that we see in newer cars today relating to sludge. If you would like to read more on sludge, please take a look at the following link: Sludge Problem While I use Amsoil in my Porsches ('03 Boxster, '06 Cayenne, '08 Cayenne S), the only other oil I would use is the factory OEM oil, Mobil 1. The data consistently shows that Amsoil is number one with Mobil 1 a close second...other than that, I trust my investment in vehicles to none of the other brands. Mobil 1 is a great engine oil...Amsoil is not commercialized and in my opinion uses higher quality additives; that's there niche, being the best. I think there could probably much more debate around the quality of an oil filter than that of the industry leading oils. The data is available. Best regards, Bill Not to be argumentative - but if Amsoil is so good why can't you get it approved by Porsche? I think folks that are looking at a $29,000 engine replacement cost (without labor!) are a bit skeptical to use something that the manufacturer has not approved. Hi Loren, would you believe I was just reading your blog? I haven't been active in the forum over the years, but I know this is the best and you've really done a nice job here. I'm pleased to be able to contribute. Amsoil does not have any OEM vehicle manufacturer alliances due to the business model they started early on with the dealer network. A person can only purchase Amsoil from a dealer or though Amsoil directly. Amsoil has been loyal to this strategy. Whether I agree or not, that's the business strategy in place. The product is excellent. I think we both agree that Amsoil easily passes the performance specifications for Porsche, and they consistently prove it with data by benchmarking the industry leaders. The only way to truly know the difference in the quality of oil and the protection you are truly getting, is to sample Mobil 1 with Blackstone Laboratories and Oil Analysis, and do the same with Amsoil based on similar driving and change interval. It is important to initially sample with both labs so the report is not perceived to be biased in any way. I have used both labs in the past; they're excellent. It becomes pretty evident which oil has the better protecting attributes over time. Don't get me wrong...I would use Mobil 1 if I didn't believe in the quality of Amsoil. If Amsoil changed their marketing plan and went through the channel, we might see a huge change in the way people perceive oils. Developing strategic alliances with large car manufacturers would be incredible for Amsoil. Point well taken in regard to Porsche, however, I think it can be explained since Amsoil has no business alliance with Porsche. Based on independent tests that can be performed anywhere in the world, can you point me to data that shows where Mobil 1 has outperformed Amsoil on industry recognized tests? Based on that, is where I put my money for protection. Believe me, I too have a huge investment in Porsche vehicles and want to protect it. An interesting white paper that was just developed by Amsoil on gear oil is amazing too...Mobil 1 came in second, however, Amsoil was clearly almost twice as good overall; and the only one of two gear oils that overall met mfg factory fill specifications? Take a look at the golf scores on page 19: Gear Lube Comparison. Some of the other synthetics that claim to be the best, didn't so so well. Look how poorly some performed? Believe me, I have SVG in the gear box on my Boxster and the diffs in both Cayennes. One other interesting historical fact. Amsoil developed the first fully synthetic oil for automotive use in 1972. Mobil followed in 1976. I base my decision on the best performing synthetic simply by the data that is available to us all. Bill

Hi Paul, Just catching up on this thread...Mobil 1 is a synthetic oil. I'm a Porsche owner, however, I work with Synpsg too, which is an distributor for Amsoil products. Synthetic oils actually prevent the huge problem that we see in newer cars today relating to sludge. If you would like to read more on sludge, please take a look at the following link: Sludge Problem While I use Amsoil in my Porsches ('03 Boxster, '06 Cayenne, '08 Cayenne S), the only other oil I would use is the factory OEM oil, Mobil 1. The data consistently shows that Amsoil is number one with Mobil 1 a close second...other than that, I trust my investment in vehicles to none of the other brands. Mobil 1 is a great engine oil...Amsoil is not commercialized and in my opinion uses higher quality additives; that's there niche, being the best. I think there could probably much more debate around the quality of an oil filter than that of the industry leading oils. The data is available. Best regards, Bill

Hi Paul, It was difficult to read your complete oil analysis. I see that Blackstone is recommending an oil change more frequent that 15K. Are you having your oil changed at 7,500 now? I have a 2003 Boxster that I drove off the lot with 17 miles...I just hit 107,000 miles. I change my oil every 15K, along with a filter and air filter. I changed my main belt at 60K along with plugs...other than that, front brakes once and two sets of tires. What a great car! Best regards, Bill with synpsg.com

Thank you very much for taking the time to take the pictures and make the post. My 2006 is about ready for a filter change too...have you changed the cabin filter too by chance? I imagine I need to do both...Thank you again! Best regards, Bill