There is truth to this. I've seen/know of personally four warranty claims get denied of Amsoil users. Lawyers got involved with one of them (engine replacement on an A6, almost $9k). It was a valiant effort, but let's just say the claim wasn't paid.
Of course, none of our cars here in the Mark VIII world still have warranties on them, but potentially voiding the warranty is something Amsoil users need to know about.
Also, on a more basic level, one of the functions of motor oil is to retain particulate matter and keep it from scoring the surface of the metal. Obviously the longer you run a batch of oil, the more matter is retained (and the oil filter doesn't catch all of it!). It doesn't matter how good the oil is, the matter will build up and will cause wear & tear, so realistically a 25k OCI is far too much. *Maybe* with a bypass filter installed down to a fraction of a micron, but certainly not with the advertised "fill with this oil and drive 25k" that is advertised.
But you guys want to see serious snake oil?
http://www.synlube.com/
OK, you sucked me into the fun part of the Amsoil warranty. I like doing this, cause I think they are shiesters. I'm gonna post the warranty page, which is well hidden on their main page at the bottom left corner in tiny print. Then I'll show you how that ram it up your ass, unlubricated.
AMSOIL Limited Warranty - Lubricants
AMSOIL INC. of Superior, Wisconsin hereby warrants that its lubricants are fit for use according to the written
recommendations of AMSOIL INC. and in applications specifying one or more of the standards set forth in the
product data bulletins and product labels. AMSOIL INC. further warrants its products to be free of defective materials,
design, and workmanship.
THIS WARRANTY IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING LIMITATIONS:
1. This warranty only applies to AMSOIL lubricants for which a separate, specific warranty is not written.
And this means?
2. The warranty herein applies only to AMSOIL lubricants, which are packaged by AMSOIL INC. and sold by
AMSOIL INC. or an authorized distributor.
So if you buy from a reseller who isn't an authorized distributor, you're :q:q:q:qed
3. The liability of AMSOIL INC. shall be limited to:
a. Replacement of the defective lubricant.
b. The cost, including labor and materials, to repair damaged equipment, or at the option of AMSOIL INC., the
cost to replace damaged equipment, resulting directly from the use of AMSOIL lubricants when used in the
proper applications.
Question is, who determines what caused the failure? Continued below
4. AMSOIL INC. shall not be liable for special, incidental, or consequential damages including, but not limited to,
damage or loss of other property or equipment, loss of profits or revenue, cost of capital, business interruption,
lodging, towing, or cost of replacement equipment. The liability of AMSOIL INC. arising out of the manufacture,
sale, delivery, installation, technical directions or recommendation of any lubricant–whether in contract,
tort, warranty or otherwise–shall not exceed the value of the equipment in which the product(s) were used.
The remedies to the purchaser herein are exclusive.
So,if your company fleet runs this oil, the car blows up, they won't cover your expenses to have it towed, or your lost time becuase of their failed product, which they guarantee....reminds me of tommy boy, :q:q:q:q in a box
5. In the event of a claim against AMSOIL INC., the procedure below must be completely followed.
a. Where the original warranty from the equipment manufacturer is still in effect, the customer shall file a warranty
claim with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in accordance with the OEM warranty procedure.
b. Customer shall retain failed parts for inspection by AMSOIL INC. unless given to the OEM.
c. Customer shall also, within 30 days of failure, notify AMSOIL INC. and provide the following:
(a.) An eight (8) ounce representative oil sample taken from the failed equipment and put into a clean, dry
container.
Do this from the roadside I guess, since they won't pay to tow it
(b.) Documentation including make, model, and year of equipment, total accumulated miles and/or hours,
and duty cycle or service environment.
what the hell does that have to do with anything? They wrote their warranty, and now they are gonna exclude something because of use?
(c.) Equipment or vehicle maintenance history documentation including miles or hours at the time of
AMSOIL lubricant installation, general equipment repairs, and oil analysis results if available.
General repairs, like, I had my EGR replaced and then they blame that for the oil failure
(d.) Proof of purchase for AMSOIL lubricant.
Must be from a certified destributor or retailer, or denied
(e.) Batch number from oil container or Certificate of Analysis (if available).
d. Mail the above sample and information to:
AMSOIL INC., Attn: Technical Services
AMSOIL Center
1101 Susquehanna Ave.
Superior, WI 54880
Mail at your cost
e. In cases where the OEM warranty is still in effect and that warranty coverage is denied based on the use of
an AMSOIL lubricant, the customer shall immediately notify AMSOIL INC. and provide a written copy of the
OEM warranty denial.
They try and use the Magnuson Moss act here to force OEM's to replace their defective stuff, brilliant
f. AMSOIL INC. may, at its option, notify its insurance carrier of the claim.
So, they may turn it over to thier insurance carrier who doesn't have to follow Amsoils warranty, but intead their own
g. AMSOIL INC. or its insurance carrier may conduct an investigation that includes, but is not limited to, an
inspection of the failed parts, a review of the operating conditions, and a thorough review of the information
requested above. The customer agrees to cooperate with such investigation.
And how long might this take? How long do you have to pay for a rental car (for which they will not reimburse you) while they dick around putting you off till you give up and do it yourself?
h. If AMSOIL INC. or its insurance carrier pays a claim, an attempt may be made to recover amounts paid
from the OEM. If this occurs, the customer may be asked to provide further information pertaining to the
failure and to cooperate with AMSOIL INC. or its insurer in the recovery process.
G1363
Because they are stupid and think that their :q:q:q:q doesn't stink and the oem can figure out its own product.
THE WARRANTY MAY NOT BE EXTENDED TO COVER:
11. AMSOIL lubricants used in mechanically deficient equipment as a result of abnormal operation; negligence; abuse; damage
from casualty, shipment or accident; or equipment modification using components other than those from AMSOIL or AMSOIL
aftermarket partners.
Wow, leave this open for interpretation. What constitutes abnormal operation? What constitutes negligence, beyond 25k increments? What constitutes abuse? Equipment modification, well, :q:q:q:q then we're all out if we add a K&N then aren't we?
12. AMSOIL lubricants used in any aircraft or aviation application.
Doesn't really apply to us, unless you put a rolls royce turbine engine in your mark, and that i'd like to see
13. AMSOIL lubricants that have been used for the purposes of racing or in applications where the OEM-required lubricant standards
do not match those stated by AMSOIL INC. without the written approval from AMSOIL INC.
So their miracle oil can't handle racing?
14. AMSOIL lubricants that have been contaminated after leaving the AMSOIL INC. premises due to improper handling, storage
or through equipment deficiencies in which an AMSOIL lubricant has been installed.
So if the distributor :q:q:q:qs it up, you're screwed
15. AMSOIL lubricants which have been packaged, regardless of container, by anyone other than AMSOIL INC. or an AMSOIL
authorized packager.
Fake amsoil? come on....
16. Any allegedly defective AMSOIL lubricant for which a reasonable sample has not been preserved.
Like the engine siezes blows a hole in the pan and all the oil is left to die on I95? vaccum it up I guess
17. Failure of equipment when AMSOIL lubricants are not used in strict accordance with either the written recommendations of
AMSOIL INC. or the OEM for warranty coverage.
Well :q:q:q:q, the oem would say amsoil can't be run 25k on their products. So they void their warranty to you because you followed their recommendations vs the oem
18. AMSOIL lubricants that have been used in conjunction with any other product or additive that has not been authorized for
use by AMSOIL INC.
duh
19. Failure of equipment due to a pre-existing condition that is unrelated to the use of AMSOIL.
and if said condition was unknown, how the hell would they figure it out
10. Repair or replacement of equipment because of normal wear.
AMSOIL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT A WARRANTY CLAIM FOR ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
1. Failure to follow all OEM recommendations for warranty coverage, including lubricants, maintenance, and drain intervals, prior
to the first installation of AMSOIL lubricants.
so you better keep every single record in a safe for proof, with the combination hidden from the world where i can never be stolen......
2. AMSOIL INC. was not notified within 30 days from the date of failure.
3. Claim information is insufficient.
You give them all they want, they ask for more you can't provide, game over
4. Parts inspected do not substantiate a claim or indicate failure.
It failed, but they say it didn't.....
5. Parts requested were not sent or are unavailable for inspection.
the part explodes into 50 pieces, undistinguishable from the rest of the blown motor, so you're :q:q:q:qed
6. Oil sample was not provided.
redundant
7. Failure of the customer to follow the written procedure herein.
all 600 parts, subparts, and implied reasoning
8. Customer refused to cooperate with the investigation.
you failed to answer question 6, part a, subsection 23 so you aren't cooperating (they forget to mention you must be ase certified to fill out their info forms)
9. Failure was the result of an OEM defect.
well :q:q:q:q, if you use amsoil from day one, you'll only change the oil once in the warranty period on most cars
This warranty shall be governed, interpreted and construed by, and in accordance with, the laws of the State of Wisconsin.
they forget to say execpt where prohibited by laws of another state, which can and will supercede Wisconsin law
AMSOIL INC. IS THE SOLE AUTHOR OF THIS POLICY AND MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
UNLESS A SEPARATE, SPECIFIC WARRANTY HAS BEEN WRITTEN.
SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SO THE ABOVE
LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS AND YOU
MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS, WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
Contacts:
AMSOIL INC. Revised September 23, 2008
AMSOIL Bldg. Supersedes all previous revisions.
Superior, Wisconsin 54880 Document #AMSOIL Warranty
715-392-7101 Fax: 715-392-3097
You get all that? All you gotta do is ride a motorcycle with flat tires 60mph jump through a flaming circle, stick the landing and fart then you get your claim!!!
