Hey guys.. Just wanted to get a quick opinion here.

I have just decided to switch over to Amsoil from Dino oil...

Amsoil offers a service (3rd party, mind you) that will test your oil for contaminates. This is useful for being able to tell when the oil is ready to be changed.

My question is..... Do you guys suggest I get the oil analysis prior to switching over to Amsoil? Or, should I even worry about getting a "clean slate" on the state of the engine?

FTR, I have an 07 Sonata 2.4/A4 with 40,000kms on her. 80% highway driving.

Any input from you Amsoil guys would be appreciated..

Opinions?

Thanks!
Matt

Matt, I'm sure you'll get a lot of replies to this one. Just a forewarning to all - don't turn this into a pis*ing contest for oil like all the other times. If you've used this oil post your comments, if not then don't. I'm sure there will be lots about Mobil 1, Castrol, Royal Purple, et al - all the synthetics.

Thanks for throwing that message out there..

Personally, I do not want to hear about other oils. I have done my research, and this is what I have chosen to go with.

Please chime in with helpful posts only, people! :)

Thanks!

Just do the switch, they will probably tell you that your current oil is messed up so you have to use theirs anyway.

FTW Synthetic all the way.

I definitley recommend switching over to a synthetic oil from a dino oil!

I think the most helpful advice I can offer is to read your owner's manual. Therein you will find the recommended range of oils for your car.

It seems to me an oil analysis on your current conventional oil is irrelevant. If an oil analysis on it showed that it is dirty, you would obviously change it now. But if the analysis showed that it is still clean, would you wait until it got dirty to change it?

Most people switch to synthetic oil for it’s superior lubrication qualities and ability to prolong an engine’s life. Unless you are worried about getting that last few dollar’s worth out of your last oil change, it can’t help the engine to keep it in there. If the “preservation” of your engine is your priority, it makes sense you would want to make the switch to synthetic immediately, regardless of the results of an oil analysis.

I would go to a reputable lab for oil analysis.
"Third party" can mean a lot of things to a lot of different ad agencies :)

Blackstone labs is the place I have used previously, and always had great service at a reasonable cost.

I would suggest doing an oil analysis at sometime, preferably more than one.
Perhaps before the change, after the first synthetic oil change, then after 6 months or a suitable interval.
This should tell you if there is any premature wear, and if or how the wear patterns have changed since using synthetic.

Since our engines are a new design, this kind of information is definitely good to have, and can pinpoint any early wear or faults in design.

Seems like black magic, but the lab can tell how much and what particulate is floating in the oil, and from that, make educated guesses of what is being worn down.

Thanks for the answers guys.. I have already decided to go synthetic. That is not up for grabs.. :)

I agree "3rd party" could mean alot of things EXCEPT objectivity...

The reason people send the oil for testing is because they oil makes claims it is good for "X" amount of miles... I am skeptical that anything can be good for the amount of time advertised, so I will most definitely be sending a sample in to a TRUE 3rd party when the time comes.

Thanks for the answers, guys. I thought it was a bit of overkill to send in the old dino oil to be analyzed, but you guys confirmed it for me.