Gear oil has been
a hot topic around the industry lately. Vehicle manufacturers,
field testers and lubricant manufacturers all are weighing
in on the evolution of differentials and its effect on gear
oil performance and design. With the recent release of the
of the AMSOIL A
Study of Automotive Gear Lubes white paper, the spike
in awareness regarding the need for superior gear oil performance
could not have come to a better time for AMSOIL Dealers.
Raising
Awareness
Most consumers
are unaware of how important differential maintenance has
become. It is the gear lubricant's job to lubricate, cool
and protect geared systems. It must also carry damaging wear
debris away from contact zones and muffle the sound of gear
operation. These tasks have become increasingly difficult
with the demands placed on modern differentials, especially
in pickups and SUVs. Consumers want more towing capacity,
more torque, longer drain intervals and maximum fuel economy.
In addition, most
vehicles operate under severe service as defined by vehicle
manufacturers, but the majority of vehicle owners are unaware
of this. Severe service applications include towing, hauling,
plowing, off-road use, frequent stop-and-go-driving, steep
hill driving and temperature extremes. How prevalent is severe
service operation? A September 2007 Lubes 'N' Greases
article entitled "Torque & Spark" notes that
more than 90 percent of Ford Super Duty pickups are used for
towing. That means that more than 90 percent of Super Dutys
operate in severe service and require superior gear lubrication.
Gaining
Momentum
In recent years,
studies have revealed that most differential wear occurs during
the break-in period. Because differentials are not equipped
with filters, break-in metals are suspended in the oil, causing
increased wear as the particles mesh between the gears. Severe
service operation causes additional stress to the differential
during the break-in period and can cause premature differential
damage or failure. This revelation, along with the marked
increase in the ratio of horsepower to differential size,
helped to bring differential maintenance to the forefront.
Changing the gear lube after the break-in period (about 3,000
miles) is a low cost maintenance investment that provides
a significant payoff, including greatly reduced wear, extended
differential gear and bearing life and protection for expensive
vehicle investments. In fact, many auto manufacturers now
recommend an initial drain interval of between 500 and 3,000
miles. Most consumers are unaware of this recommendation.
Severe Service
Remains a Big Challenge
Harold Chambers,
a lubrication technology specialist with Ford Transmission
& Driveline Engineering, is quoted in Lubes 'N' Greases
as saying, "One of the biggest challenges for our vehicles
is towing. We also need to run quietly for the life of the
vehicle. We want to optimize the power density - that is,
get the maximum torque capability with the least fatigue life
in the smallest space possible."
Chambers also lists
fuel economy and heat generation as major obstacles, both
adversely affected by severe service.
"Overall,
because of higher durability and towing needs, we're seeing
more wear and distress issues with gear sets," said Chambers.
AMSOIL
Answers the Call
Today's driveline
challenges depend upon gear lubricants to supply solutions.
As clearly demonstrated in the gear lube white paper, A
Study of Automotive Gear Lubes, AMSOIL answers the
call with Severe Gear Synthetic EP Gear Lubes. When pitted
against 13 of the industry's most popular gear lubes, AMSOIL
Severe Gear came out on top, performing well in every category.
AMSOIL Severe Gear proved robust enough to maintain its viscosity
when subjected to temperature changes. It was durable enough
to retain viscosity during use, even during severe service.
It proved superior in resisting oxidation, protecting against
wear, resisting foaming and providing protection under extreme
pressures. AMSOIL Severe Gear ranked first or second in 13
out of 16 tests and never ranked below fourth, the only gear
lube to test so well. The high ranking of AMSOIL Severe Gear
clearly points to a well balanced formulation capable of delivering
effective, long-lasting lubrication protection to all differential
components. Most notable is the superior performance of AMSOIL
Severe Gear in the critical areas of extreme-pressure protection
and viscosity and oxidation stability.
The Extra
Mile
To further verify
the findings reported in A
Study of Automotive Gear Lubes, additional testing
was performed on AMSOIL Severe Gear. The L-37 Axle Rig Test
evaluates load carrying, wear protection and extreme pressure
properties of gear lubricants. Already considered a rigorous
test, the severity of the test was increased to challenge
Severe Gear to the absolute limits in gear lube performance.
Following a gear conditioning phase, the test is normally
conducted for 24 grueling hours at 80 wheel rpm, 1740 lbf-ft
torque per wheel with an axle sump temperature maintained
at a constant 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). To further challenge
the integrity of AMSOIL
Severe Gear Synthetic 75W-90, the test severity was increased
by adding 20 percent greater load. Under these test conditions,
Severe Gear was tested at 2088 lbf-ft per wheel for a total
combined load of 4176 lbf-ft. This is equivalent to a Chevy
pickup with a Duramax 6.6 liter engine and Allison transmission
pulling a loaded trailer uphill at full throttle in second
gear for 24 straight hours. AMSOIL Severe Gear passed all
the requirements, even under 20 percent greater load.
Severe
Service Requires Severe Gear
Without a doubt,
AMSOIL Severe Gear Synthetic Gear Lubricants provide superior,
worry free protection, even in severe service. For a complete
look at indisputable proof, download a copy of A
Study of Automotive Gear Lubricants.
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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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