AMSOIL founder
A.J. Amatuzio coined the phrase "extended drain intervals"
back in 1972 with the introduction of AMSOIL 10W-40 Synthetic
Motor Oil, formulated for 25,000-mile/one-year drain intervals.
Not only was AMSOIL motor oil the first synthetic oil to pass
American Petroleum Institute (API) service requirements, AMSOIL
INC. was the only motor oil company promoting oil drains beyond
3,000 miles.
Today, motorists
are still bombarded with propaganda from the major oil companies
promoting 3,000-mile oil changes. However, the industry is
slowly but surely coming around. Vehicle manufacturers typically
suggest 5,000- to 7,500-mile intervals in their owners manuals,
and many manufacturers have also started incorporating oil
life monitors into their vehicles, allowing motorists to safely
extend drain intervals by monitoring oil life and alerting
drivers when the oil needs changing. Competing oil companies
have also begun marketing their own synthetics, some claiming
service lives extending beyond 3,000 miles.
Lubes-n Greases
magazine, Automotive Editor David McFall, once with the American
Petroleum Institute recently tackled the issue of extended
drain intervals in his March, 2003 column, criticizing the
standard 3,000-mile oil change and referring to the American
motor oil market as "shackled."
"In Europe
the average engine oil drain interval for current gasoline-fueled
cars is about 10,000 miles," explains McFall. "In
the United States, indicates the Automotive Oil Change Association,
the average drain interval followed by most drivers is somewhat
less than 5,000 miles - one-half of Europe's.
"Every year
in the United States, this too-short drain interval results
in the unneeded production of 300 million to 400 million gallons
of engine oil; excess consumer expenditures of around $1.5
billion; and tens of millions of unnecessary oil changes."
Not only are these
unnecessary oil changes an expense to consumers, explains
McFall, but they have an environmental cost as well. "The
added environmental cost of having an average 5,000-mile oil
drain interval (instead of 10,000 miles, as in Europe) may
be nearly 100 million gallons of engine oil being dumped,
untreated, into the U.S. environment annually."
McFall's examination
of Mobil 1, Shell and AMSOIL demonstates the differences among
companies who are shackled to the current system and who isn't.
According to an
ExxonMobil spokesperson, "Car owners should follow the
oil change intervals specified by the manufacturer. We believe
it is inappropriate to recommend drain intervals that may
conflict with those set forth by the car manufacturer's specifications."
"Here, in
a nutshell," says McFall, "is this observer's take
on ExxonMobil's and the oil industry's 'owners manual' position:
It is designed soley to increase motor oils sales." He
backs it up by mentioning that Mobil 1 SuperSyn motor oil
claims to meet European ACEA A5 and B5-02 specifications,
two specifications intended to extend oil drain intervals.
"If the oil can be used in Europe for extended drain
intervals, why doesn't ExxonMobil notify U.S. consumers of
that capability?" asks McFall.
Although Shell
Oil Products, owner of Pennzoil-Quaker State, has broken through
the shackles enough to offer an API unlicensed oil specially
formulated for higher mileage engines, they make no mention
of a recommended drain interval, preferring instead to avoid
the issue and keep consumers in the dark.
McFall marvels
at the success of the independent motor oil company that offers
drain intervals up to 11 times longer than the standard interval
offered by conventional oils, saying, "Purists can sniff
that AMSOIL's data isn't derived from a controlled field study,
but the sheer mountain of vehicle miles over three decades,
and the absence of any confirmed performance, wear or maintenance
issues, speaks volumes."
McFall sums up
his column by highlighting the true value of AMSOIL Synthetic
Motor Oil, stating the cost may be "two to three times
higher than most retail conventional oils but if you can securely
count on a 15,000- to 25,000-mile drain interval, it's a flat
out bargain, not to mention providing a clear environmental
bonus."
So, what is it
that allows AMSOIL motor oils to be used for extended drain
intervals, while other oils must be changed significantly
sooner? First, the synthetic base stocks with which AMSOIL
motor oils are formulated are worlds apart in quality compared
with conventional base stocks. The synthetic molecules are
uniform in size and shape, resisting the vaporization that
boils off the smaller molecules of conventional motor oils
and leaves behind a thicker, higher viscosity oil that compromises
engine protection. AMSOIL motor oils surpass even the most
stringent European volatility standards, providing superior
protection for extended drain intervals.
Second, AMSOIL
spares no expense when it comes to additives, selecting the
the most robust additive packages on the market. These additives
keep AMSOIL motor oils shear stable, resist the degrading
effects of varnish and sludge, keep engine components clean
and deposit-free and effectively resist rust, corrosion and
foaming.
By using only the
highest quality synthetic base stocks and additives available,
AMSOIL motor oils are capable of extended drain intervals,
all while maintaining performance, providing long-term wear
protection and fuel economy, keeping engines clean and deposit-free,
providing cold weather starts and protecting against rust
and corrosion.
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Premium AMSOIL
Synthetic Motor Oils offer the longest drain intervals
on the market, unsurpassed protection and performance that
effectively extends equipment life and improved fuel economy,
saving customers money at the pump and reducing the nation's
dependence on foreign oil.
"AMSOIL INC. warrants that the use of its lubricants will not cause mechanical damage to any mechanically sound equipment when AMSOIL INC. products are used in full compliance with the company's recommendations and instructions."
AMSOIL
synthetic motor oils are formulated to surpass engine test
specifications, offering protection far greater than competing
motor oils for extended drain intervals. Most synthetic oil
manufacturers make no claim to extended drain intervals, deferring
to the maintenance schedule provided by the vehicle manufacturer.
With its unparalleled oil and warranty program, AMSOIL offers
consumers unprecedented protection and economics.
Another
AMSOIL First
More than 20 years
ago, AMSOIL began using the NOACK volatility test as a comparison
tool and measurement of quality. Back then, nearly every oil
tested side-by-side with AMSOIL synthetic motor oils failed,
and those that passed barely squeaked by. Other oil companies
paid no attention to NOACK results until Ford Motor Company
made it a requirement for service fill oils, validating what
AMSOIL had said all along.
THE
NOACK Volatility Test
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. AMSOIL
Synthetic Motor Oil resists high temperature volatization
better than other motor oils. AMSOIL Synthetic Motor
Oil maintains peak fuel efficiency and reduces oil consumption
and emissions.
AMSOIL Now An ISO Certified
Manufacturer
AMSOIL recently
received ISO 9001:2000 certification of our Quality Management
System (QMS). NSF International Strategic Registrations is
the registrar that has verified our QMS meets the requirements
of the ISO 9001:2000 standard, the most widely utilized quality
standard throughout the world for quality management systems.
ISO standards are used by over 300,000 companies worldwide
setting rigorous standards for businesses, government and
industry.
ISO 9001:2000
is applicable to any manufacturing and service organization
providing a framework for system development that focuses
on the customer, quality system performance and ongoing improvement.
AMSOIL received ISO 9001:2000 registration under the scope:
synthetic lubricants blending, packaging, and other fulfillment
directly associated with lubricant product.
The ISO
certification puts AMSOIL in line with some of the most efficient
companies in the world. It is further assurance that the products
and services AMSOIL provides will continue to maintain the
high level of quality the company always demanded.
AMSOIL Product Information
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