[M.D. Holloway]

I strongly disagree on several fronts. Automakers, transmission OEMs, and even bearing OEMs really know very little about lubrication and tribology. Their recommendations are meager at best and only come close in their attempt at the proper viscosity to use.

Do you know how the proper viscosity is actually determined for an engine? a transmission? or even an oil lubricated bearing? I think you will spend many an hour doing an on-line search only to be disappointed.

As far as using a synthetic over a mineral based oil, I can show you reams of data that shows how a mineral based engine oil has out performed some of the best synthetics on the market and then turn around and show how a synthetic can achieve unheard of longevity and resist thermal breakdown compared to anything else. That should leave you confused because at the end of the day, the oil plays a role in part failure prevention but too many other factors weigh in.

As far as the low temp performance of the AMSOIL product is concerned, the molecular size is a factor but a rather small one actually. The molecular size distribution plays an important role more so but the real factor rests with the percentage of parafinns in the oil and these are abscent in synthetics but can be readily found in Group I base stock and to some extent in Group II's. These are the molecules that are actually forming solids that inhibit flow. But here is another thing to consider, these are also the compounds that provide increased lubricity!

For you to highly recommend synthetic would be like a doctor recommending an anti-biotic over the phone. Not a good idea without first understanding the engine. There are no no-size-fits-all oils.