Well, that was quite a mouthful. The symbol of the front of that bottle in your link is not the API starburst symbol, but the API service symbol mark, which is typically on the back of any bottle. Both the service mark and starburst are indicitive of the API certification.

Here is the link to what the real starburst looks like:

http://api-ec.api.org/about/index.cf...02003002000000

Here is what it looks like on a bottle of oil:

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/xlt.aspx

This is NOT the symbol, but a look-a-like:

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/hdd.aspx

I must say, I stand corrected Lightman. I really thought I knew what I was talking about. Those Amsoil look-a-like starbursts are very misleading. It sure seems like they are pushing “the envelope” here. At least I now know the real difference between an API certified oil and what is not now. You know the old saying..."learn something new everyday."

Although Amsoil’s warranty statement sounds excellent and believable, I feel somewhat duped. It kind of irritates me to the point where I may not use their oil any longer, not that I've been using it much anyway. In fact, I surprised API hasn't stopped them from using a starburst.

Looks like I need to do more research before making a statement!

 

Well I stand corrected on the terminology between starburst and the service mark - I just knew they weren't certified.

I don't agree with a lot of amsoil's business practices, but I do like my oil bypass system, and the 0w40 oil runs really well in my ATV's.

 

Stopped by Wal-Mart to pick up some windshield washer fluid today and somehow ended up over in the oil isle. I was surprised to see that there are a lot of oils that are not actually API "CERTIFIED" (no API Starburst symbol). In fact, it looked like, for the most part, the trend was that 5w/30s and 10w/30s were the only ones API "certified."

As for diesel truck oil, I looked at Chevron Delo 400 15w/40, Shell Rotella T 15w/40, Shell Rotella T Synthetic 5w/40, Mobile Delvac 1300 15w/40, SuperTech 15w/40, Pennzoil Long Life 15w/40, and finally Mobile 1 Truck and SUV 15w/40 synthetic. Not one of them are API "Certified." They are all rated as API CI-4 or CI-4+ just like Amsoil's 15w/40 and 5w/30 diesel engine oils. Anyway, I thought that was kind of interesting...

 

I sell thousand of gallons of Rotella T, Delo, Mystik, Ursa, and Schaeffers oil every year and they all carry the API donut on the back of the bottle. All of them also meet the CI4 spec. I do get cases of Mystik sometimes that still have the CH4 rating but it is the exact same oil in the container. Mystik did not have to reformulate to meet CI4 they merely had to recertify the old formulation.

 

Gotta call "foul" on this! I just went to the garage and checked a gallon jug of Delo 400 - API donut firmly in place with API Service CI-4, CH-4/SL, SJ proudly displayed. API donut = API certification.

Rusty

 

Boy some can get pretty worked up over oil.

AMSOIL is pretty good I am sure, Expensive too.
Cummins powers a lot of Log Trucks out her in the Pacific Northwest. Not many diesels get worked as hard as a Log Truck being pushed 12 hours a day . I doubt you will find AMSOIL in many of them. Chevron and Unocal 76 account for probably 90 % of the oil. (Its easy to buy at the local small town fuel distrubuter.

Filters? Most come from Napa (Wix). If its good enough for log trucks that go 1000000 miles, I am sure the oil and filters are good enough for our Pickups.

 

check out www.haisleymachine.com about a tsb on oil filters