There's a couple of us here, and we should be able to beat those prices, S/H and tax included (case price)...

Is the 0W30 better than 5W30? Tough question. Amsoil's information indicates that it is much better for wear protection and should provide a little better protection at colder temps (on startup). They say it improves fuel efficiency too. I am using XL-7500 right now, and I've noticed a slight improvement vs. dino. Unfortunately, I started collecting the "before" data too late (only 3 fill-ups before changing to synthetic), so the data is somewhat meaningless. I will see what happens when I go to one of the other oils next time around. I'll have a lot more data to compare synthetics then.

Here's the links to Amsoil's information on both oils. As you can see, the specs and tests come back with very similar results.

Amsoil 0W30
Amsoil 5W30

I guess the only answer I can give right now, is that I don't know if we have enough real world data to answer that for sure. The link to all oil related studies here at the org:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=124491

 

Oh, btw, guys, I noticed on Amsoil's site that they are now recommending the Series 2000 0W30 as a replacement for 5W20 in addition to 5W30 and 10W30... That was new information to me...

 

Odd. I'll look into it as well.

 

Something interesting that I've noticed is that they always push their top of the line product when asked which one to use. In some cases that's understandable, as their new products are usually the next generation so to speak and they are trying to gain awareness in the marketplace. Sometimes I just think they like the higher profit margins.

Virus: Like Highlander mentioned it provides better start-up protection and fuel economy. It also has the latest additive package and is capable of going the longest drain interval. It is similar to the 5W-30 in test results, with the biggest difference being in NOACK volatility as you mentioned. If we're comparing 0W-30 and 5W-30 the 5W-30 will hold up better to extreme use than the 0W-30 over a long period of time. While this may look bad, lets broaden our frame of reference anmd consider that Mobil 1 5W-30 has a NOACK volatility of 14.98%, double the volatility of Amsoil's 5W-30 and a 63% increase in volatilty over the 0W-30. There is someone over on supraforums that uses 0W-30 and a bypass filtration system in a race car he has and he claims the analysis results are fine. I haven't seen them so I can't say for sure, but in the grand scheme of things the different NOACK volatility ratings don't really mean that much, other than a point to argue, in how well the oil will protect the engine until we start talking extreme use and very long drain intervals.

Deciding if the 0W-30 is really that much better than the 5W-30 and worth the extra money is up to each person. For me, I feel the extra cost isn't justified, so I use the 5W-30.

I'm sure both Highlander and I are very similar on pricing, but please feel free to contact both of us and we can provide quotes for you.

 

I'm considering switching my dad's TL to the Series 2000, which means I'll have to go with 0W-30. As hard as the Honduhs are on oil, it may be worth it. This interval will be 10k on one filter, unlike the 22k on 2 filters as last time, so we'll see how the analysis goes.

Also, I'll probably do a baseline analysis on the Series 2000 to see what it's differences are, if any.

 

Thanks guys. I won't go into pimp mode, but I am in multilevel marketing with Shaklee (Vitamins, cleaners, personal care) I just hate it when people automatically assume that you are trying to scam them. I can provide proof through published research in major medical and nutritional peer and refereed journals that Shaklee is better, but that doesn't matter to most. If it isn't in Wal-mart for oil or GNC in my case it's not credible for most. I would much rather buy from someone here that can benefit from my purchase rather than all of the local stores that sell Amsoil. Customer service is lacking to say the least.

 

Bill and Mark,

Are you guys using the SDF 13 or SDF 36 filters? The SDF36 will work with the Max and has a larger volume - from what I hear anyway!

 

I'm still using the 13. I hear the 36 fits fine, but I don't want to recommend it without trying it myself first. Do you know anyone who has used it?? I like the idea of a bigger filter that costs less as well.

 

No, but I think Bill is the one that put me onto the SDF 36 as an alternative 1st... Maybe he has?

 

I received the same info from Bill so I'll be placing my next order for an SDF 13 and an SDF 36 and check its dimensions when they arrive. If it works, it will definitely make me feel better than the sh1tty sized stock filter depth...Amsoil or no amsoil, that filter is too small! My damn Ford Escort SDF filter is almost twice its size (externally anyway)!

 

Yeah, the SDF-36 filter does work on the VQs, but my info is from a second hand source here as well. If it fits for 2k1 Maximas, I have a hard time believing it would not fit any VQ30 or VQ35....



Search is your friend.

I accidentally discovered these posts that way a few weeks/couple of months ago.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ighlight=sdf36

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ighlight=sdf36

Where I told Higlander about the SDF-36 cross reference:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....5&pagenumber=3

The post where I failed to answer Highlander's question about any direct experience the other day:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ighlight=sdf36

 

Yes, I agree fuel ecomomy may be a factor why automakers push 5W oils.

5W-30 oil came about in the 80's. Overhead cam engines were becoming popular and GM was having problems with broken camshafts in cold weather. The conventional 10W-xx oils of that era would become very thick when cold.

10W-40 oils used to be recommended by domestic automakers, but they caused problems with sludge, due to the large amount of VI improvers that had to be added to conventional oil to get such a large Vis. range.

However, with synthetic oils, I think we should throw out a lot of these old rules, they just don't apply, look at the cold weather pumpability of even high Vis. synthetics.

A lot of Maxima drivers, including myself here, sometimes push their cars very hard. I think we would benefit from using a thicker oil. The only way to know for sure is to try it and evauluate the results by oil analysis. I will do this myself, and encourage others to do the same.

 

Bill, thanks for posting those. I had read some of them but not all. I was hoping that someone with more of a history on this board was familiar with the SDF 36. I have no idea who GBHEX is and am not comfortable recommending something to other people on the basis of a few posts from someone relatively unknown. Too risky in my book.

 

Experience tells me that when a newbie says something fits with no problems then you have nothing to worry about. Otherwise, every forum here would have been spammed with how evil Amsoil is and it's the moderators' faults for allowing posts and suggestions to be made, BLAH BLAH BLAH.


I recommend it.

 

I just try to take some things I learn here with a grain of salt.

Amsoil IS evil. It's all one big cult where we light 55 gal. of it on fire and sit in a circle drinking beer out of oil filters while we pray to the oil gods. I thought everyone knew that

 

 

Bill or another Amsoil distributor could you please give the org members a rough estimate on the cost per quart and per case on the Series 2000 oil? Thanks in advance.

 

That stuff is pretty high.

I believe the dealer cost is:

One Quart $6.30
One Gallon $24.90
(12) One Quart Bottles $72

The Series 2000 oils (1 year/35k miles intervals) is about $1.80 more per quart than their regular synthetic oil (1 year/25k mile intervals).....

 

The SDF13 is exactly the same size as the Mobil 1 M108 and equal in diameter to the Mobil 1 M110 but is approx 2 inches shorter.

Regarding filter size, how big is the SDF36 compared to the SDF84 for the 1st gen Altima and 3rd gen Maxima?

 

The funny thing is that Amsoil's policy prohibits me from posting that info, but since Bill is a preferred customer he CAN.

If anyone needs any other prices or would like to know the total cost including shipping, please feel free to email me directly.

 

Good heavens....I didn't know that.


I would've just said it's hella-expensive.

 

Yeah, I used the M1-108 with Mobil 10w30 purchased from AutoZone about a 1.5 years ago when I decided to go the synthetic route. I thought it was a go kart filter. At 4000 miles I went back to AutoZone and compared the M108 and M110; I went with the M110 and topped off for another 4000 miles.

In May of 2001, I went with Amsoil 5w-30 for the Maxima and my 94 Altima. The SDF13 was the same as the M1-108. The M1-110 is exactly the same size as the Purolator Pure One that I used with dino juice. When I reorder in October, I will get both the SDF 13 and SDF 36 and check it out.

 

From the descriptions I've been given, the SDF 36 is more like the M1-110.


Here is a photo of the SDF13 vs. the M1-110





I'm still debating whether to just go back to the M1-110 and not bother getting the Amsoil oil filters since the 110 is bigger.....and usually more available.

 

They won't let me play with fire anymore... But occasionally, I sneak in an animal sacrifice and drink some goat's blood, under a full moon...

 

Bryan, check your PM...