AMSOIL Compared to "The Others"
See "Valvoline Engine Guarantee Program" It's not really...
| Motor Oils Tested |
Test Areas |
AMSOIL Synthetic
Castrol GTX
Chevron Supreme
Shell Formula
Valvoline SynPower
Mobil1 Extended Performance
Motorcraft Synthetic Blend
Kendall GT-1 High Performance
Pennzoil Platinum
Quaker State Horse Power
Trop Arctic Synthetic Blend |
Thin Film Oxygen Uptake (ASTM D-4742)
NOACK Volatility (ASTM D-5800)
Pour Point (ASTM D-97)
Total Base Number (ASTM D-2896)
Cold Cranking Simulator (ASTM D-5293)
Four-Ball Wear (ASTM D-4172)
Cost Per 25,000 Miles of Operation |
AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil (ATM) and 10 competing conventional, synthetic and synthetic blend 10W-30 motor oils were subjected to a series of motor oil tests. The competing oils included petroleum-based Castrol GTX, Chevron Supreme, Havoline, Formula Shell and Pennzoil, as well as synthetic-blends Trop Artic and Motorcraft, and full-synthetic Pennzoil Platinum, Quaker State Advanced Full Synthetic and Mobil 1 Extended Performance.
Seven tests were run on the motor oils.
The Thin-Film Oxygen Uptake Test (TFOUT) measures the oxidation stability of engine oils.
The NOACK Volatility Test measures the evaporation loss of oils in high temperature service.
Pour Point indicates the lowest temperature at which a fluid will flow.
Total Base Number (TBN) is the measurement of a lubricant’s reserve alkalinity for combating acids. The Cold Cranking Simulator Test (CCS) indicates the degree to which a lubricant can impact cold weather starting.
A final test to compare cost per 25,000 miles of operation was also conducted to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of using a synthetic oil over extended drain intervals. The impressive test results show AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil outperformed the competitors in nearly every test.
Thin-Film Oxygen Uptake (ASTMD-4742)
Extends Oil Life
The Thin Film Oxygen Uptake Test (TFOUT) is used to evaluate engine oil’s ability to resist heat and oxygen breakdown when contaminated with oxidized/nitrated fuel, water, and soluble metals such as lead, copper, iron, manganese and silicon. This test is designed to mimic the operating conditions of a gasoline engine.
AMSOIL 10W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil has superior heat and oxidation resistance to control sludge deposits and extend oil life. Engines stay clean for maximum protection and oil changes are reduced, saving time and money.
NOACK Volatility (ASTM D-5800)
Maximizes Fuel Economy, Reduces Oil Consumption and Emissions
The NOACK Volatility Test determines the evaporation loss of lubricants in high temperature service. The more motor oils vaporize, the thicker and heavier they become, contributing to poor circulation, reduced fuel economy and increased oil consumption, wear and emissions. One tenth of a percent is significant enough to be noticed in consumption. I get dozens of customers who are surprised of the reduction of oil consumption when switching from the most popular so called "fully synthetic" brands.
AMSOIL 10W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil resists high temperature volatilization (evaporation) better than other motor oils. AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil maintains peak fuel efficiency and reduces oil consumption and emissions.
Pour Point (ASTM D-97)
Improves Cold Temperature Startup
The Pour Point Test determines the lowest temperature at which a lubricant will flow. The lower a lubricant’s pour point, the better protection it provides in low temperature service. Unlike conventional oils that solidify in cold temperatures, AMSOIL 10W-30 Synthetic Motor oil remains fluid down to -58° F. AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil helps engines turn over easier and flows quickly to engine parts for critical start-up protection. Engines start faster and wear is greatly reduced for extended engine life.
Also note our 0W30 is a direct replacement of 10W30. For more performance chose the Amsoil SSO. Remember this is still a SAE 30 with a Winter rating which allows the oil to remain closer to the operating viscosity at ambient temperatures, 75*F and below. The oil will still flow similar to the centistoke rating under proper engine temperatures at even lower temps as well as flow better under load.
Total Base Number (ASTM D-2896)
Controls Acid Formation
Total Base Number (TBN) is the measurement of a lubricant’s reserve alkalinity, which aids in the control of acids formed during the combustion process. The higher a motor oil’s TBN, the more effective it is in suspending wear-causing contaminants and reducing the corrosive effects of acids over an extended period of time.
The high TBN of AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil allows it to effectively combat wear-causing contaminants and acids, providing superior protection and performance over extended drain intervals.
Side note: This property is what makes our diesel oil line #1 - see our garbage truck fleets how Rotella only lasts 1/3rd as long as Amsoil in several aspects including detergency retention.
Cold Crank Simulator (ASTM D-5293)
Helps Engines Start Easier
The Pour Point Test determines the lowest temperature at which a lubricant will flow. The lower a lubricant’s pour point, the better protection it provides in low temperature service. Unlike conventional oils that solidify in cold temperatures, AMSOIL 10W-30 Synthetic Motor oil remains fluid down to -58° F. AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil helps engines turn over easier and flows quickly to engine parts for critical start-up protection. Engines start faster and wear is greatly reduced for extended engine life.
Four Ball Wear (ASTM D-4172)
The Four-Ball Wear Test evaluates the protection provided by engine oil under conditions of pressure and sliding motion. The size of the scar left as a result of the test determines the amount of wear protection the lubricant provides. The smaller the wear scar, the better the protection. Tests show that AMSOIL 10W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil has better antiwear performance than all other oils tested. With AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil, engine life can be extended and major repairs are often reduced.
Be sure to see how our Motorcycle Oils stand up to others in Shear and Wear. This transcends to all oil brands for all applications. It's important to see how these tests work hand in hand.
Cost Per 25,000 Miles
Saves Money
By extending oil drain intervals through its premium formulation, AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil saves drivers money. A value comparison shows AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil costs less than competing motor oils over 25,000 miles.
While competing motor oils must be changed up to five times over 25,000 miles, AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil is only changed once, saving both time and money.
Consult our AMSOIL Product Directory
Valvoline guarantees your Engine for up to 300,000 miles if Valvoline is used. Take a look..
Other companies, of course, have been reluctant to follow
our lead into extended drains. Why, from their perspective, should they?
More oil changes means more oil is sold, which means more money is made. It is not rocket science. Only Mobil, with its introduction of Mobil 1 in the mid 1970s, ventured into extended drain interval territory.
But that didn’t last long. Although the oil may have been up to the challenge, I suspect that the bean counters at Mobil were concerned about the bottom line and the company pulled back on its drain interval
recommendation. It was all about money and the corporate mind control in place.
While it is true that Mobil, now ExxonMobil, as well as some others, are finally offering a few extended drain lubricants, the 3,000-mile oil drain mindset still dominates the industry although the average customer has their oil changes 2.6 times per year.
Valvoline, for example, has reinforced that recently with its introduction of its Valvoline Engine Guarantee program. Essentially, this program
guarantees an engine for up to 300,000 miles if Valvoline motor oil is used. Impressive on the surface, but there is a little more to it than that. Valvoline attached some qualifiers. First and foremost, the Valvoline motor oil, along with the oil filter, must be changed every 3,000 miles throughout the duration of the program. Imagine that - most cars have suggested drain intervals of up to 12,000 miles and Valvoline wants to keep you at 3000 miles! Volatility mostly occurs at the start of the life of an oil so a 3000 mile oil change exponentially increases deposits, emissions and reduced exhaust component life.
Qualified vehicles must be registered prior to reaching 75,000 miles, Valvoline motor oil must be used for at least 18 months prior to registration and no vehicles older than 1990 models qualify. Diesel powered vehicles don’t qualify for the program, nor do vehicles used for racing, vehicles over 10,000 pounds or vehicles with modified
engines. That’s understandable.
Valvoline has further qualified the program contingent on the type of oil used. To gain the 300,000-mile coverage consumers must use one of Valvoline’s full synthetic products (for some reason these are not labeled as 100% Synthetic). Using a Valvoline synthetic blend carries the coverage to 225,000 miles and a Valvoline conventional oil carries it to 150,000 miles. (Is that all they think it's good for? Even at 3000 mile oil changes?)
To be sure, Valvoline has done its homework. Very few, if any, claims will ultimately be paid. On the low end, 150,000 miles is virtually no stretch for today’s engines. On the high end, very few motorists drive the same vehicle for 300,000 miles, and the guarantee is not transferable. There is no question that the profits are there for Valvoline.
Assuming a motorist drives 15,000 miles per year it would take 20 years, driving the same vehicle, to reach 300,000 miles. That’s 20 years at
five oil changes per year. That’s a lot of Valvoline motor oil sold. Well about 550 quarts for an average vehicle. Compare that to just 66 quarts of AMSOIL and improved enjoyment of the vehicle.
Clearly, the push behind the Valvoline program is profit, and a person can’t fault Valvoline for that. We are all in this business to make money. What you can fault Valvoline for, and all others who continue to support
3,000-mile oil change intervals, is their irresponsibility in regard to consumers and the environment.
To be sure, way too much money is being wasted on unnecessary oil changes, and way too much used oil is being generated.
In any case, AMSOIL will continue to do the right thing. We will maintain our effort to provide the absolute best, longest lasting lubricants we possibly can. If that means selling a consumer one oil change per year
as opposed to five, so be it. Your customers appreciate the value, and you can be proud of the service you provide.
This talk of extended drain intervals leads me to one final, related topic. We have had to make changes to suggestions on our diesel oils and how some current diesel applications are affecting our drain interval recommendations. Pay attention to the product data sheets and interval guides. Essentially, our research has identified trends that indicate fuel dilution issues in 2007 and newer on-highway Caterpillar C13 and C15 engines. It is apparent that engine design is the cause of the problem.
Fuel dilution reduces viscosity and may lead to increased wear. Unfortunately, there are no formulation modifications or methods of filtration that can counter these effects. Consequently, rather than jeopardize our reputation or the vehicles of our customers, AMSOIL has
deemed it prudent to adjust our drain interval recommendation in these applications.
Once again, with the consumer in mind, it was the right thing to do.
AMSOIL INC. has been the leader in synthetic motor oil formulation since its introduction of the world's first API rated synthetic motor oil in 1972. By specializing exclusively in the synthetic lubricant technology, AMSOIL is able to optimize the most advanced chemistries available. The "Genuine Synthetic PAO Formulated" designation displayed on AMSOIL packaging indicates that the oils are formulated with Polyalphaolefin (PAO) synthetic base stocks. This chemistry is the industry's premier base stock technology. Unlike conventional mineral-based chemistries, AMSOIL PAO base stocks contain fully saturated, hydrogenated molecules and are free of wax and other impurities. Combined with an exact balance of premium additives, it delivers superior hot and cold temperature performance, resists oxidation and acid formation and provides long-term wear protection. AMSOIL "General Synthetic PAO Formulated" oils have shattered the parameters of the most rigorous industry testing and set the standard for all other motor oils.
