Amsoil?

[fun2drive]

I drive my car daily to school. Round trip is around 90 miles. So I have been trying to figure out how to get a little better mileage. I Changed the oil yesterday and put in Amsoil 10w30 with a wix filter. Ill let you know the results in couple of weeks. Any other small suggestions for increasing fuel millage on my SSEI 2003? I really do not want to do any heavy mods. I want the car to last till at least 260000 miles. I am currently at 60000.

[RJolly87]

Make sure that you are up to date on all maintenance items, and be absolutely sure you do not use any thing less then premium gas.

Also, if you can leave early, and drive slower, you will save that much more fuel.

[willwren]

Changing oil types or brands isn't going to improve mileage by any detectable amount. Proper maintenance items are key. The top two are the O2 sensor (front, not rear) and tire pressure, followed closely by plugs and wires.

This isn't a Performance-adding topic, more of a general question. I'll move your topic to the right section for you.


EDIT: It should go without saying that your best mileage and lowest overall fuel costs will be with PREMIUM fuel only, which is what your car requires.

[RJolly87]

Also, a couple light mods will probably do you good. Stuff like Fender Well Intake, Hi Flow Catalytic Converter, maybe even a good port and polish to get it breathing that much better. Of course the fuel mileage drops like a rock with these mods for most because it makes the loud pedal that much more fun. Once better judgement and self control take over, that is where the fuel savings start to show.

Something else to pay attention to? How you drive. Pay attention to average speed, try not to throw down acceleration that you are just going to burn off with the brakes anyway. Also pay attention to idle time. Also the less you can use the A/C, the better, but also windows down above 50-55 will hurt you more than the A/C usually.

[00Beast]

• 1987-2005 Bonneville / Buick 3800 Maintenance List
  
  Run Seafoam, Chevron Techron or Gumout Regane through gasoline every 5,000 miles.
  
  Grease: Ball Joints, Tie Rods Every 8-10k ( Green Grease or Amsoil Grease recommended)
  Air Filter Every 15k (Amsoil EaA, Purolator PureONE)
  PCV Valve Every 30k
  MAF Sensor Element Cleaning/TB Cleaning Every 50k viewtopic.php?f=48&t=1661
  Fuel Filter Every 15-25k (Purolator, AC Delco, WIX) http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 45&t=23215
  Spark Plugs Every 30-50k (NGK TR55, AC Delco 41-101 or Autolite 605) (Never Bosch)
  Ignition Wires Every 30-50k (Napa Belden, AC Delco, Autolite Pro, NGK) (Never Taylor or Bosch)
  Oil & Filter Every 5-6k or Every 6 months (Valvoline SYNPower, Pennzoil Platinum, or Amsoil )(Mobil1, Purolator PureONE, Amsoil EaO, K&N or WIX) (Never Fram) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=214
  *Conventional Oil Every 3k/3 months(API SM/SN rating) (WIX (Napa), Delco or Purolator filter)
  Tires: Check Inflation Pressure & Visually Inspect Monthly Rotate Every 6-8,000 Miles
  Transmission Flush or Pan Drop Every 15-20k (Always make sure filter is changed when flushed) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=10193
  Cooling System Flush Every 25-50k or 3-5 Years (Peak or Prestone Mixes-With-Any Coolant Only) (Never Dexcool)
  Oxygen Sensor Every 80-100k (30k for non-heated) (AC Delco or Denso) (Absolutely never Bosch) viewtopic.php?f=48&t=794
  Accessory Belt Inspect every 15k, replace every 100k, or as needed
  Cabin Air Filter Inspect and Replace every 15k, or as needed in dusty conditions. (Note: 00+ Only) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=13626
  Evap Core Cleaning Whenever Needed (Note: 99 and older only) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=2432
  Brake Fluid Flush 3yr/50k
  Power Steering Fluid Replacement/Flush Every 100k or 5 years
  
  *Special Considerations*
  All Series II/III 3800's RPO's: L36, L26, L67 & L32, especially important on vehicles factory installed with orange Havoline Dexcool Antifreeze/Coolant: http://www.dex-cool.net/
  Lower Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement, every 80-100k (ignorance of this can allow coolant to enter your engine oil, this happening can cause irreversible lower engine damage, requiring replacement of subject engine)
  
  Series II, Naturally Aspirated, RPO:L36:
  Upper Intake Manifold Plenum Replacement, Every 80-100k (ignorance of this can allow coolant to enter your intake manifold, possible damage to occur can be hydrolock, irreversible damage to emissions devices, misfires, etc. Most times, engine replacement is required if ignored long enough.) viewtopic.php?f=53&t=1061
  
  Series I, II, III RPO Code L67 & L32:
  Change Supercharger Oil; Every 30-50k. (Intense Racing or GM Dealer) viewtopic.php?f=56&t=1690
  Supercharger Belt; Inspect Every 15k, Replace Every 100k or as needed.

5/22/2011 by 00Beast

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Biggest gas mileage modification is how you drive. Speeding, starting quickly from a stop, and not being aware of your surroundings all increase gas use.

There are lots of sites with gas saving tips. Ecomodder, CleanMPG, and GasSavers are all full of information on getting the best MPG from your car.

Xwhatever about using premium gas only. It's required in an SSEi.

[1oldman]

I had the best results after the car had over 150K miles by using a Delphi O2 sensor. I had been using Bosch. When I changed to the Delphi. I picked up on aver age 1 to 2 mpg around town and 2 - 4 on the Interstate. When the car was new, it was spark plugs that would give me that kind of help. That's how I could tell when it was time for a tune-up, fuel mileage went to pot in a hurry - lol The car has 277K miles on it now.

Follow 00Beast's suggestions and that would be a really good start. Good luck - BC

[00Beast]

Amsoil is a great oil, however, it's benefits aren't really in a huge increase in mileage. It's more about the increased protection and longer change interval.

If you were going to spend the $$$ on 5 quarts of Amsoil, you should've also gotten an EaO filter, and run it for a longer interval.

[repinS]

I had the best results after the car had over 150K miles by using a Delphi O2 sensor. I had been using Bosch. When I changed to the Delphi. I picked up on aver age 1 to 2 mpg around town and 2 - 4 on the Interstate. When the car was new, it was spark plugs that would give me that kind of help. That's how I could tell when it was time for a tune-up, fuel mileage went to pot in a hurry - lol The car has 277K miles on it now.

Follow 00Beast's suggestions and that would be a really good start. Good luck - BC

For the 3800, friends don't let friends use Bosch!

[00Beast]

[fun2drive]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have really been trying lately to start out slower and coast longer before intersections. It is so hard to do in that car. These cars are just so much fun. I had 2 of the local supply stores say it was no benefit to use the EoA oil filter. One mentioned it was just a wix filter with a new paint job. So many opinions I need to do more research. I intended to use the wix and change it out at 3000 miles. So what is peoples opinion on the EoA oil filter? Also the difference between the longer run oils that amsoil produces? I believe one is 7500 miles and one is 12000 miles. Of course there is a price change between the 2. I went with the lower miles one with the thought that oil can only absorb so much nasty before it is no good.
I have understood that no matter how good the oil is it can only absorb so much moisture and debris. Do I need to worry about this with Amsoil?

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

BIG differences between a Wix and an Amsoil EaO. The EaO is capable of 15k miles on your car, assuming it's mechanically up to snuff. The media inside the filter is also different. The EaO has synthetic media, while the Wix is natural media. While the Wix is a very well made filter, the EaO is even stouter.

It's a difference between a $15 steak and the $30 steak. One costs a lot more since more time/effort went into making it. As such, it's a more premium product.

For your car, I'd run the Amsoil/Wix combination about 6000-7000 miles and dump. If you want to go crazy, Amsoil does sell their SSO, which can go 25k miles/1 year on an oil change when used with the correct EaO.

Head on over to Amsoil's website to get it straight from the horse's mouth. Maybe even give them a call once they're open again. They know far more about their stuff than I do.

[00Beast]

Don't listen to your guys at the local supply place. They get a comission for selling certain things, and Amsoil probably isn't it.

[willwren]

And don't expect any modern filter or oil to affect fuel mileage.

[00Beast]

Also, with your current issue in your other thread, Amsoil is really expensive to have spilling out onto your rear manifold from a leaky valve cover.

[LeSabreUltra]

One great tip to remember when trying to alter your driving style to save money: every time you touch the gas or brake pedal it's costing you money.

Coast as much as possible before you use the brakes to stop, and be light on the go pedal.
.
.
.