AMSOIL vs Motul: Which is best?

As an ex-Ford Engineer and AMSOIL Regency Platinum Direct Jobber with decades of experience testing and evaluating lubricants, I've had extensive hands-on experience with both AMSOIL and Motul products. This comparison article will provide you with an in-depth analysis based on my engineering background and real-world testing experience to help you choose between AMSOIL and Motul products.

Company Overviews

Motul

Motul is a French company, founded in 1853 that entered the lubricant market with a steam engine lubricant in 1860. They developed their first 100% synthetic oil in 1971 and have established a strong presence in motorsports, including MotoGP and Le Mans, becoming the official supplier to numerous racing teams and OEMs like Honda's HRC and RUF Automobile. 

Motul also claims to have developed the very first 100% synthetic multi-grade lubricant in 1971: the Motul V300.

AMSOIL

AMSOIL is a U.S. company founded by Lt. Col. Albert J. Amatuzio in 1968 touting the first full synthetic oil to meet API service requirements in 1972. AMSOIL also has many exclusive partnerships with high-performance companies and motorsports programs, including Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, Snocross, and the United States Auto Club (USAC). For more history on AMSOIL, read on here.

In the next sections, we'll select flagship products from each brand and compare performance specifications to help you decide which is better for specific applications.

Comparative Technical Analysis - AMSOIL vs Motul

For the matchup of AMSOIL vs Motul, we'll initially compare performance-focused lubricants from both companies, since Motul largely specializes in high-performance and racing applications.

AMSOIL DOMINATOR vs. Motul 300V Competition

Let's first compare AMSOIL DOMINATOR 15W-50 with Motul 300V Competition 15W-50. Both of these products are intended for high-performance, racing applications in automobiles.

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There are only 5 specifications that are publicly known and shared between these two products. But, from the table above, it's clear both oils are extremely high quality lubricants. With the same kinematic viscosity at 100°C, both oils show similar protection at typical operating temperatures.

AMSOIL slightly bests Motul with a higher viscosity at colder temperatures suggesting marginally better protection during warm-up and in conditions where oil temps haven't yet reached operating temps. From my experience, this can be particularly beneficial in stop-and-go racing conditions like rally or autocross where oil temps will fluctuate.

Motul's higher viscosity index indicates slightly better resistance to viscosity change across temperature ranges, but the difference is minimal.

AMSOIL's flash point advantage can become particularly important in extreme temperature conditions like those experienced in endurance racing or high-stress applications.

The slight HTHS Viscosity advantage with AMSOIL DOMINATOR can contribute to better bearing protection over time.

From an engineering perspective, both oils demonstrate excellent high-performance characteristics, with AMSOIL showing a slight edge in thermal stability and high-temperature protection. The higher flash point and HTHS values of AMSOIL DOMINATOR make it particularly well-suited for extended racing conditions and extreme temperature environments.

AMSOIL Dirt Bike Oil vs Motul 300V² Factory Line 4T

Both brands also make motorcycle and dirt-bike specific lubes so we'll analyze those as well.

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Both AMSOIL 10W-50 Dirt Bike Oil and Motul 300V² Factory Line 4T are marketed to on and off-track riders and for high-performance/racing applications.

Motul's lower 40°C viscosity (107.5 vs 120.8 cSt) indicates better oil flow in cooler conditions which can result in faster oil circulation during startup.

Both oils provide similar protection at operating temperature (100°C)

Motul's significantly higher Viscosity Index could indicate more consistent protection across temperature ranges.

The AMSOIL Dirt Bike oil's better flash point rating suggests better resistance to oil volatility at high-temperature conditions. And it's lower pour point rating also suggests better cold-temperature performance and protection.

Motul's 300V² does tout a significantly higher TBN which could result in better acid-neutralizing power and resistance to oil degradation.

The AMSOIL formulation prioritizes thermal stability and high-temperature protection, while Motul focuses on maintaining consistent viscosity across temperature ranges. AMSOIL's significantly higher flash point makes it ideal for high-stress applications, though Motul's higher TBN could benefit longer service intervals in some conditions.

Motul 8100 Power 5W-30 vs AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30

When it comes to passenger vehicle lubrication, both brands make a variety of products for different applications. For this comparison, we'll stack up the best passenger vehicle oils for each; AMSOIL Signature Series and Motul 8100 Power.

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Viscosity Characteristics

1. Motul 8100 shows slightly higher viscosity at both 40°C and 100°C
2. AMSOIL maintains a comparable Viscosity Index (162 vs 160)
3. HTHS values are nearly identical (3.11 vs 3.2), indicating similar protection under high-stress conditions

Temperature Performance

1. Motul demonstrates a higher flash point (248°C vs 220°C)
2. AMSOIL shows superior cold-weather performance with a lower pour point (-50°C vs -45°C)

Oil Life and Protection

1. AMSOIL's significantly higher TBN (12.5 vs 7.9) suggests superior acid-neutralizing capabilities
2. This higher TBN typically translates to extended drain intervals and better protection in severe service

From my engineering experience at Ford, the higher TBN in AMSOIL's formulation is particularly significant for modern engines with direct injection and turbocharging, where oil degradation can occur more rapidly.

AMSOIL Signature Series shows clear advantages in both longevity and protection, with its substantially higher TBN indicating better acid neutralization and extended drain capabilities. While both oils provide excellent protection, AMSOIL's superior cold-weather performance and resistance to breakdown make it particularly well-suited for severe service conditions and extended drain intervals in modern engines.

Cost Comparison - AMSOIL vs Motul

This wouldn't be a meaningful comparison without also breaking down the price for each product and helping you see which is the best deal.

Racing/High-Performance Oil Price Comparison

Product	Relative Price
AMSOIL DOMINATOR 15W-50 (Preferred Customer)
AMSOIL DOMINATOR 15W-50 (Regular)
Motul 300V Competition 15W-50

Dirt Bike/Motorcycle Oil Price Comparison

Product	Relative Price
AMSOIL Dirt Bike Oil 10W-50 (Preferred Customer)
AMSOIL Dirt Bike Oil 10W-50 (Regular)
Motul 300V² Factory Line 10W-50

Passenger Vehicle Oil Price Comparison

Product	Relative Price
AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30 (Preferred Customer)
AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30 (Regular)
Motul 8100 Power 5W-30

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We're not allowed to directly list out prices of AMSOIL products. But, in the table above, we broke down the cost of each product into the same units from the smallest quantity you can buy from both AMSOIL and Motul.

Motul is one of the highest quality oils we've compared to AMSOIL, but, as you can see above, Motul is far more expensive and doesn't offer any significant performance advantages over AMSOIL.

Make the Switch to AMSOIL Today

As both an engineer and AMSOIL dealer, I appreciate both brands' commitment to quality. However, AMSOIL's combination of performance, price point, and support network makes it my recommended choice for most applications. The exception would be specific racing applications where Motul is specified by the sanctioning body or manufacturer.

Remember, regardless of which brand you choose, consistent oil analysis and proper maintenance intervals are crucial for maximizing engine life and performance. I recommend oil analysis every 5,000 miles for performance applications to optimize your drain intervals and monitor engine health.