This is our review for Bobistheoilguy.com.
First off, you may be asking, what is bobistheoilguy (aka BITOG)?
Bob is the oil guy is an internet website/forum that was created back in 2002 by a guy name Bob Winters. Bob was a Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants distributor who started a message board hoping to bring interested lubrication and filtration enthusiasts together to discuss products, issues and oil related topics. The Bobistheoilguy forum also began to attract people that wanted to learn more about oil and to find answers about various products for lubrication, filtration, as well as fuel and oil additives.
Tony Riek, who bought BITOG from Bob Winters, has since passed away and the website is currently owned by his wife, Helen Riek. Bob Winters is currently living in Florida and is no longer associated with the website.
Bobistheoilguy is now referred to as the #1 oil related website. There are over 47,655 Members as of this posting.
Why am I writing about and reviewing BITOG?
Back in the early 2000’s when I was first getting started as an AMSOIL Dealer, I ran across Bobistheoilguy.com and joined as a member. I wanted to learn as much as I could about lubrication and filtration as well as gain some insight into competitive products. This was June of 2002, just one month after the site was started. My BITOG member number is 80. That means I was the 80th person to join.
After a few months, I approached Bob Winters to become an AMSOIL Sponsor of the BITOG website / message board. I saw that many people also desired to learn more about lubrication and that I could help contribute to the board and help keep it alive and growing. I then became the first sponsoring AMSOIL dealer of the forum.
As my AMSOIL business grew, I allowed another dealer in my team to take over as the sponsor so I could focus on a few other things. At the time, BITOG had three AMSOIL Dealer sponsors that covered the US and Canada. Eventually, the current owners of BITOG decided to only have one sponsoring AMSOIL Dealer and I went back to being an active forum member and contributor. I still believe in the value of the forum and that is why I am offering my review today.
My review of Bobistheoilguy
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed meeting many wonderful people that are enthusiastic about oil and lubrication. I’ve had many great discussions and debates on oil, filtration and fuel additives and I’ve learned a lot.
As a member from the very beginning, I’ve seen this website grow and grow and grow. With over 47,000 members, you can imagine the forum contains a wealth of information as well as opinions. Therein lies the first component of my review; it’s very important to determine the difference between facts and opinions.
As part of my review, I took a step back and asked myself some questions:
- If I were looking for the best motor oil, would I seek out someone from a message board?
- How do I know if this person is even a knowledgeable resource?
- How can I determine if what they are telling me is backed up by facts or is simply their opinion?
- Who is this person and what is their background?
As a long time forum member, I’ve seen a lot of misinformation and claims from certain members stating definitively that an oil, additive, etc., is the best. What is backing up that claim?
The most challenging aspect of finding information is determining a credible source. Using message boards can be a resource, if you read carefully and find the supporting source of the information and be able to corroborate that information from other places.
If you use Bobistheoilguy, I would recommend that you consider the information you find as opinion, until you confirm it as fact.
And when you decide that you want to upgrade your oils and lubricants to the best products available, seek out information from a reliable source. Seek out AMSOIL. As an experienced, factory-trained AMSOIL Dealer/Direct Jobber and long time supporter of Bobistheoilguy.com, I would love to show you the facts about why AMSOIL manufactures the best synthetic oils, lubricants and filters available on the market, and help you determine which AMSOIL products are best for your vehicles and equipment.
Contact Michael Sparks, AMSOIL Dealer / Direct Jobber
If you have visited Bobistheoilguy let us know how you feel. Please leave your comments below.
Well said, I to have visited Bob is the oil guy message boards. Some of the posts I have came across have been very helpful, however there have been quite a few post that have been misinformed and just opinions of the every day joe and what they believe to be true. As you said, take what you read and do your research to be sure it is FACT before acting on it.
Thanks for your review of BITOG forum,
Chuck Gutleber
FactorySynthetics.com
267-278-3556
It used to be a great site. But more and more, facts are shouted down for opinions. People have been getting banned, for example, for daring to be critical of Marvel Mystery Oil, a product that is mostly kerosene dyed red.
Even a respected tribologists pointed out that it is unwise to run a quart for an OCI, being that the stuff burns off, leaving you with just the 10w oil, and the people who use it complain and attack.
They all claim that because it’s used means it works, even though the science doesn’t support it.
I spent a lot of time on there in the early 2000’s. Then it became like groundhog day only with children instead of adults. Thanks for the comment.
If you want to learn about motor oil, take an accredited college level general chemistry class taught by a qualified instructor using an accredited textbook. Go to class, read the text, do the homework, do the lab work, take the tests, and pass the class. Then take qualitative/quantitative analysis. Once you know hydrocarbon chemistry basics you are qualified to study tribology to your hearts content. Then you will KNOW a little something about oil. Or you can get your education at BITOG and have nothing but a bunch of: I heard that, my friend said that, my mommy told me that, my brother in law said that, my mechanic told me that, just like most of those that populate BITOG. There are/were a few knowledgeable people there but as soon as they disagree with the current group think they get banned, like me. IMO the site is about spreading misinformation and selling overpriced products and services that, for the most part, you don’t need!
Tom, thanks for your feedback. Is the only way to learn something from a qualified and accredited instructor? Many highly professional people are self taught through years of experience, trial and error. We’ve been at this for over 17 years and the company for over 45 years. AMSOIL knows what they are doing regarding synthetic lubrication and filtration. Now that you have all that off your chest, I hope you have a wonderful day.
Many people overthink it. Oil is oil for the most part. Use the eight wieght and specs and change it at a decent interval and your good to good to go. Many people on that forum get all information so twisted and they can be child like but for the most part i amways liked the sight
Been a member for years. Yes there are cheap oils. Then there are good oils. Then there are really expensive boutique oils without api certificates. Just depends on the person i suppose. But over the years i definitely enjoyed the sight so no real complaints from me. Walteramie signing out.
This is funny. You complain about BITOG as being more about opinion than fact. Then post this:
“And when you decide that you want to upgrade your oils and lubricants to the best products available, seek out information from a reliable source. Seek out AMSOIL. As an experienced, factory-trained AMSOIL Dealer/Direct Jobber and long time supporter of Bobistheoilguy.com, I would love to show you the facts about why AMSOIL manufactures the best synthetic oils, lubricants and filters available on the market, and help you determine which AMSOIL products are best for your vehicles and equipment.”
as though it is fact and not your opinion. Then you just happen to be an Amsoil representative. Thanks, but should I need facts, I’ll be consulting with someone that has a masters degree (or better) in chemistry who specializes in tribology not some “factory-trained” salesperson.
Tom thanks for stopping by my site. Looks like the SEO is working since you found it. BITOG gets a lot of traffic. Good luck with finding oil company reps that are masters level or better to discuss your selection on oils.
Which AMSOIL suit Jeep Cherokee XJ 4.0 1996?
I would use any of the 10w30 products…Start with OE, then try XL then move up to Signature series if there are no useage issues or leaks.
I find it to be pretty silly how amsoil guys think its the best. But the scheeffor guys think theres is the best. Then you got the hpl guys. Then the certified labs guys. All of those sales men trying to say there products are the best. Yes even the redline guys too. Its just so funny. Its all good oil nowadays. Just depends on when you wanna change your oil and how much you wanna spend. There is way more to life then losing sleep over what oil to use in your cheap ass car or truck. Now if your in the business with lots of heavy equipment and you soend millions n millions of dollars on equipment then i get it but people oil us oul for the most part. Bobtheoilguy made me realize that. And oil analysis too.
Thanks Walter. I’ve seen excellent results with AMSOIL over the 24 years of using it and selling it. Thanks for the comment.
I’d recommend Amsoil Z-Rod 10w30 for this application. I also own a 96 Cherokee, and this is what I’ve been using.
Thanks Mike! Can’t go wrong with Z-Rod, it’s a great full synthetic oil!
I tried to join the bobistheoilguy forum earlier today and was so denied!? The reply said it was due to my selected username oliverbutthead. Now I do not feel that name to be out of line by no means. Really it derives from a cat I had long ago named oliverbuttons by my wife. I called him oliverbutthead even though I had great love for this feline. The name has always stuck with me. I can’t believe that I was denied to a forum due to this!
I work in the industry of fuels mainly, but refining overall. I work on knock engines that test the octane of gasoline. (R+M÷2 that you see on the pumps) It is absurd to me that the username oliverbutthead could be offensive??! Maybe just because of lack of context or no sense of humour? I am even wondering at this point if I should even try to join a forum that could be so uptight?
Anyhow, I came across you because I began to wonder who is this Bob guy and what is the hangup? There are many moderators maybe as I see in your article due
To the loads of members?
Hi Mark, thanks for reaching out. Many times the software is set to not allow foul language, and with butt in your user name it automatically discarded that username. They do not allow profanity on that site. Glad you left a message. Take Care.
Msparks,
i have a boat with twin Mercruiser Magnum engines. Manual calls for Mercruiser 25W40 Synthetic Blend. I have been told a full synthetic would be better but AmsOil only makes a 10W40. I am thinking the 10W is too low when the manual calls for 25W. Your thoughts. Thanks in advance for your help!
Hi Lonnie, thanks for the comment. You’re in luck. AMSOIL makes a 25w40 for your application. This is a full synthetic product designed for marine applications which includes your mercruiser engine. You can learn more about it here: AMSOIL 25W-40 Synthetic Marine Engine Oil
Or you can give me a call if you want better pricing. 931-801-9401 or send me a message amsoil.lube-direct.com/contact/
Hello. I’ve been told to consider conventional/ mineral, higher ZDDP oil for my 1983 Dodge D50 diesel with 4d55. I see you sell synthetics, but some commenters like your Diesel marine oil for their older diesel trucks and cars. Do you have an oil for an older diesel engine that won’t leak through all the seals?
Thank you for your time,
G.M.
The oils do have seal conditioning additives in them and could slow leaks over time, but in most cases if the seals are too far gone it won’t help. You could always try it for 10,000 miles or so and see, if the leaks don’t go away. If they don’t you can go back to what you were using before.