AMSOIL Diesel Engine Oils Explained

A reader asks: I see that you carry wide variety of AMSOIL diesel engine oils and I find the selection to be a bit confusing. What is the difference between the “Premium” and “Heavy-Duty” diesel oils? Are the “Premium” diesel oils suitable for heavy-duty diesel engines?

Our answer: Great question and yes, all of the AMSOIL diesel motor oils are suitable for heavy-duty engines. When choosing a diesel engine oil, the very first thing you must do is determine the industry specification required by the engine maker. This is very important. The second thing to do is choose a viscosity. Your owner’s manual should offer some recommendations on both of these points.

Let’s look at the various categories of AMSOIL Diesel Oils and hopefully take some of the confusion out of this issue.

Premium Synthetic Diesel Oil

There are two products in this category. The “DEO” Premium 5W-40 Synthetic Diesel Oil and the “DME” Premium 15W-40 Synthetic Diesel Oil. These products are ideal for any heavy-duty or pick-up truck service. They are the finest offering from AMSOIL for applications requiring the very latest API CJ-4 specification as well as older diesel specs. DEO 5W-40 and DME 15W-40 meet the following specifications.

• API CJ-4, CI-4+, CF, SM, SN
• ACEA E7, E9
• Ford WSS-M2C171E
• Mack EO-O
• DDC 93K218
• Caterpillar ECF-3, ECF-2, ECF-1a
• Cummins 20081
• Volvo VDS-4, VDS-3
• MS 10902
• MB 228.31
• MTU Type I & II, Type 2.1
• MAN 3275, 3575
• JASO DH-2
• Global DHD-1
• Renault RLD-3

OE Series Synthetic Diesel Oil

The AMSOIL “OE” Series of synthetic diesel engine oils is AMSOIL’s moderately-priced offering. Available in 15W-40 and 10W-30 grades, OE diesel meets many of the same industry specifications as the Premium Diesel Oil Series at a lower price. This makes the OE Diesel Oils ideal for the oil change shop market and cost-conscious diesel owners. OE Diesel is also ideal for fleets that have a mix of older and newer diesel trucks and equipment. Here are the industry specs covers by the OE Diesel Series.

• API CJ-4, CI-4+, SM, SN
• ACEA E9
• DDC 93K218
• Cummins CES 20081
• MB 228.31
• CAT ECF-3, ECF-2, ECF-1-a
• Mack EO-O Plus
• Volvo VDS-4
• MAN 3575
• Renault RLD-3
• MTU Type 2.1

AMSOIL Heavy-Duty Synthetic Diesel Oils

AMSOIL’s Heavy Duty Series of diesel engine oils are formulated for older diesel engines that do not have the latest emissions equipment or exhaust particulate filters. These oils do not meet the newest API CJ-4 specification, so they should not be used in 2007 and newer trucks.

An example of suitable applications would be diesel trucks made prior to the 2007 model year and require the API CI-4+ specification. AMSOIL Heavy Duty Diesel Oils provide extended drain intervals and the best possible wear protection for older diesel trucks and equipment.

If you have a mix of older engines as well as newer units that require an API CJ-4 oil, go with the Premium or OE Series shown above.

If your engine does not require the CJ-4 spec, the Heavy-Duty Series oils shown below are an excellent choice.

AMSOIL 15W-40 Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel & Marine Motor Oil

This synthetic 15W-40 is AMSOIL’s workhorse for older diesels. This 15W-40 is capable of triple the oil change interval suggested by the manufacturer and delivers exceptionally strong wear control. Here are the industry specifications covered by 15W-40 Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel & Marine Motor Oil.

• API CI-4+, CF, CF-2, SL
• ACEA A3/B3, E2, E3, E5, E7
• Global DHD-1
• JASO DH-1
• Mack EO-M, EO-N
• DDC Power Guard 93K214
• Caterpillar ECF-1A, ECF-2
• Cummins CES 20076, 20077, 20078
• Volvo VDS-2, VDS-3
• Mercedes-Benz 228.1, 228.3, 229.1
• MAN 271/3275
• MTU Type 2

AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30/SAE 30 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil

Ideal for applications that require straight 30-weight diesel engine oil or 10W-30. This robust synthetic is capable of staying in service for up to 600 hours and flows down to -36°C. AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30/SAE 30 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil covers the following industry specs.

• API CI-4+/CH-4/SL, CF, CF-2
• Global DHD-1
• ACEA A3/B3, E3, E5
• JASO DH-1 • Mack EO-M+, EO-N Premium Plus ’03
• Detroit Diesel Power Guard 93K214
• Caterpillar ECF-1a, ECF-2
• Cummins CES 20076/20077/20078
• Volvo VDS-3/VDS-2
• Mercedes Benz 228.1/228.3/229.1
• MAN 271/3275
• MTU Type 2

AMSOIL Series 3000 Synthetic 5W-30 Diesel Oil

Long known as one of AMSOIL’s most powerful synthetic oils, Series 3000 5W-30 can be used in place of 10W-30, 5W-40 or even 15W-40 with no sacrifice in engine protection. The upside of using a 5W-30 is improved fuel efficiency, maximum power output and a -50°C pour point. This elite 5W-30 is an asset to any diesel engine that does not require the very latest industry spec. Series 3000 Synthetic 5W-30 Diesel Oil covers the following specifications.

• API CI-4+, CI-4, CF, CF-2, SL, SJ
• ACEA A3/B3, E2, E3, E5, E7
• Global DHD-1
• JASO DH-1
• Mack EO-M, EO-N
• DDC 93K214
• Caterpillar ECF-1-a, ECF-2
• Cummins CES 20076, 20077, 20078
• Volvo VDS-2, VDS-3
• Mercedes 228.1, 228.3, 229.1
• MAN 271/3275
• MTU Type 2