AMSOIL Applauded for Extended Drain Technology
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 Automotive Editor David McFall,
once with the American Petroleum Institute recently tackled
the issue of extended drain intervals in his March 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 demonstrates the differences among companies who
are shackled to the current system and one 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 'owner's
manual' position: It is designed solely to increase motor
oil 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 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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