Huw

"tom" <tjctransport@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:9g2If.22$hI1.5@fe11.lga...
> my snake oil comment was based on the fact that when a dealer tried to
> sell
> it to me, and me on it, he handed me a "comparison" sheet of different
> oils,
> and amsoil synthetic was at the absolute bottom of the list when compared
> to
> all the other "inferior" brands when it came to the A.P.I. ratings. I
> pointed this little fact out to him and his answer was "oh, those ratings
> don't mean anything". for the record, the valvoline all fleet plus that I
> had always used was at the top of the A.P.I. ratings.

The API have traditionally set a *lower* limit on oil quality below which is
unacceptable. There are always two current ratings, one being the latest and
improved while the other is the previous standard which is being run-out.
Besides there being a cost to being certified a lack of certification might
be because a higher level of certain elements are included in the oil than
are set by the standard. This might not be a bad thing for engine wear but
might be detrimental to catalyst life if used and burnt in a worn engine for
instance.

In general there are plenty of superior oils that do meet and exceed API
ratings. There is no better oil than Mobil1 0w/40. Other viscosity grades of
M1 do not have the same chemistry and are therefore not quite as good for
long drain intervals. The 15w/50 is also superior but the viscosity is not
suitable for most engines. This advice only holds good for M1 and other
brands differ but plenty of brands do produce equivalent oils.

Huw