Synthetic Lubricants Forum

Phase Separation

2010-10-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

Here in N.E. Ohio the fuel that we buy almost everywhere is blended with ethanol. Don't kid yourself by thinking there's no ethanol in the gas I buy, believe me it's in there! I know because I've been working for years as a tech on the underground tanks, lines and dispensers that we use to pump the fuel. Lets face it, ethanol is the wave of the future and it's here to stay. The fuel distribution depots offer the stations blended product (E10) for a few cents less a gallon than un-blended gas. Which product do you think they're going to order? For the most part its no big deal. However it does create some issues. The ethanol in E10 & E85 can and will absorb water. In fact it can absorb up to 50 times the amount of water that non-blended fuel will. Keep in mind the water can come from anywhere, I'm not just talking about water that may be in the bottom of the underground or above ground storage tank(this is not a big problem anymore with all the computer tank monitoring equipment now used at most stations). The water or moisture comes from condensation in the storage tank and piping as well as from your vehicles tank. Enviromental conditions, surface water at the fills and vapor recovery adapters, just to mention a few. Phase separation occurs when as little as 4 teaspoons of water is absorbed by 1 gallon of gas. What happens is an upper layer of ethanol deficient fuel forms above the lower, less volatile, water contaminated layer. This lower layer is the problem. If left in your tank untreated it can create a gum and varnish that can foul your injectors as well as create a "lean burn" situation that can lead to high combustion chamber temperatures and possibly detonation. Amsoil offers 2 products to combat phase separation. "Performance Improver" for automobiles and trucks and "Quick Shot" for motorcycles and power sports applications. Go to www.PerformanceLubeProducts.com for more info or drop me a line.

New SAE 60 Motorcycle Oil Completes Premium Line

2010-08-03T03:43:00.000-07:00

"Many Harleys with older engines and some big-bore bikes require a 60-weight oil. While AMSOIL SAE 60 Super Heavy Weight Synthetic Racing Oil (AHR) provides more than adequate performance in these applications, it is not formulated to address the issues specific to motorcycles. In order to better address these issues, AMSOIL now offers Synthetic SAE 60 High Performance Motorcycle Oil (MCS). AMSOIL Synthetic SAE 60 Motorcycle Oil is formulated specifically for motorcycles using the same proven technology developed for AMSOIL 10W-30, 10W-40 and 20W-50 motorcycle oils. AMSOIL SAE 60 Motorcycle Oil is multi-functional and delivers premium performance in motorcycle engines and transmissions." Check out www.PerformanceLubeProducts.com for more info.

Drain Intervals

2010-07-26T03:43:00.000-07:00

"The 3000 mile oil change interval has been ingrained in the American consciousness for decades. Conventional motor oil companies aggressively push it, oil change centers remind their customers to return when another 3000 miles have accumulated on the odometer and fathers teach their children to change their oil and filter according to a 3000 mile schedule."

Vehicle manufacturers, on the other hand, aren’t quite on the same page. A look at many recent model owners manuals reveals a recommended 5000 to 7500 mile oil drain interval, while European vehicle manufacturers recommend even longer drain intervals. As the service lives of spark plugs and transmission fluids have increased, consumers have demanded longer service intervals for motor oil as well. The introduction of electronic oil life monitors on modern vehicles is beginning to push drain intervals upward. Oil life monitors typically determine when oil should be changed based on engine operating conditions such as temperature, revolutions and speed.
Almost all 2005 and later General Motors vehicles are equipped with its Oil Life System, which makes use of a color-coded system to alert the driver when it’s time to change the oil. A “yellow” condition indicates that it’s time to think about changing the oil, while a “red” condition indicates that the oil is past its service life. According to GM, the typical drain interval for vehicles equipped with the Oil Life System is 8,500 miles, which will result in a savings of 6.6 million gallons of oil and $145 million for 2005 model-year drivers over the lives of their vehicles.
General Motors is actively seeking to extend oil drain intervals even further. In fact, the company recently asserted that 20,000 mile oil drain intervals are possible with existing engine technology and synthetic oils meeting current specifications, while 30,000 mile oil change intervals are achievable with appropriate motor oil quality and minor engine modifications.
“Drain intervals are a very specific goal for GM, and are being managed in a logical and planned fashion,” says James A Spearot, director of GM’s Chemical & Environmental Sciences Laboratory in Warren, Mich. “Longer drain intervals are desirable to meet customer demands for reduced maintenance and convenience, and for the environmental benefits that come with less oil handling. And, in the end, longer drain intervals will help us with our warranty protection goals.” For more info visit http://www.performancelubeproducts.com/

Amsoil Filters

2010-07-26T03:30:00.000-07:00

"Even with all of the advances in lubrication and engine technology, filtration is as important today as it ever was. The combustion process produces by-products that slip into the oil stream, and external contaminants are introduced into the engine in a variety of ways. The challenge for filter manufacturers is balancing flow, efficiency and filter life. In order to stop particles in the 2 to 22µ range, the pores in the cellulose media used in many filters are too small to allow adequate oil flow.
Only AMSOIL Ea Oil and Air Filters feature full-synthetic nanofiber technology. It is the nanofibers that allow Ea Filters to provide greater efficiency than any other filter available. Ea Filters stop more particles, stop smaller particles and last longer than any other oil filter available for auto/light truck applications." See www.PerformanceLubeProducts.com for more info.

AMSOIL Performance Test - API Comparative Motor Oil Testing

2010-07-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

"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." For Amsoil products visit www.PerformanceLubeProducts.com .

AMSOIL Performance Test - API Comparative Motor Oil Testing

2010-07-15T14:21:00.001-07:00

"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." Visit www.PerformanceLubeProducts.com for more info.

AMSOIL Performance Test - API Comparative Motor Oil Testing

2010-07-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

"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, Shell Formula, Valvoline SynPower, Mobil1 Extended Performance, Motorcraft Synthetic Blend, Kendall GT-1 High Performance, Pennzoil Platinum, Quaker State Horse Power and Trop Artic Synthetic Blend." For more Amsoil product info. visit www.PerformanceLubeProducts.com

AMSOIL Performance Test - AMSOIL Synthetic Gear Lube Outperforms Valvoline Gear Lube

2010-07-15T14:19:00.001-07:00

"AMSOIL submitted its 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube (FGR) and Valvoline 75W-90 Gear Lube to an independent laboratory for quality comparison tests. The gear lubes were tested according to ASTM testing procedures in several critical performance areas, including oxidation resistance, viscosity retention and cold temperature fluidity. Oxidation resistance was measured using the L-60-1 Thermal Oxidation Stability Test, viscosity retention was measured using the KRL Shear Stability Test and cold temperature fluidity was measured using the Brookfield Viscosity Test. Additional load carrying, wear, extreme pressure and scoring protection tests were performed exclusively on AMSOIL 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube using the L-37 High Torque Axle Test and the L-42 High Speed Axle Test." Amsoil product information available at www.PerformanceLubeProducts.com

AMSOIL Performance Tests

2010-07-15T14:19:00.000-07:00

"The second edition of the AMSOIL 'Study of Motorcycle Oils' is now available. See how 32 of the top selling motorcycle oils compare in the most critical areas of motorcycle performance. This no-frills study was designed to help consumers make informed decisions when selecting motorcycle oils. There is no hype, no sales pitch, just facts. Never before has so much information on motorcycle oils been delivered in one easy-to-understand source. Download a copy of the white paper here http://www.amsoil.com/lit/g2156.pdf

New Product: Amsoil Dominator Coolant Boost

2010-07-09T03:24:00.000-07:00

"Racers demand lower engine operating temperatures in order to achieve maximum efficiency and horsepower on the track, while the straight water coolant used by many racers opens engines up to damaging radiator and water pump corrosion. New AMSOIL Dominator® Coolant Boost (RDCB) provides racers and motorists with significantly lower engine operating temperatures, quicker engine warm-up times and advanced corrosion protection." Visit www.PerformanceLubeProducts.com for more information.

New Product: Amsoil Biodegradable Hydraulic Oil

2010-07-09T03:22:00.000-07:00

"New AMSOIL Biodegradable Hydraulic Oil (BHO) is an ISO VG 46, bio-based, anti-wear fluid designed to provide premium hydraulic fluid performance for demanding applications, while also effectively addressing biodegradability and low toxicity requirements. Its blend of high oleic oils, synthetic esters and customized additives not only protects hydraulic components against wear, but also protects the environment in the case of leakage or spills." Visit www.PerformanceLubeProducts.com for more Amsoil information.

Why should I use Synthetic oil in my Vehicle

2010-01-03T13:53:00.000-08:00

WHY SHOULD I USE SYNTHETIC OIL IN MY VEHICLE?

This is without a doubt the most common question I get asked when speaking to a new prospective customer. The answers are quite simple, however most people just don't want to believe us (synthetics sales people) because they're so "pre-programed" on the operational characteristics of petroleum based oils, they can't believe what I'm telling them. I'll get to the "why" in a minute but first I want to tell you what I tell them. Comparing petroleum based oil to a high quality pure synthetic oil that Amsoil produces is like comparing "dial-up" service to DSL. Dial-up will get you connected to the net and allow you to surf just like petroleum oil will adequately lubricate your engine or transmission just as it has for the past one hundred years or so. But then came improved technology for connecting to web allowing must faster and smoother surfing from high speed connections. Technology has improved the lubrication industry also and the results it has produced is just like comparing dial-up to high speed Internet connections. I wish converting customers from petroleum oil to synthetics was as difficult as switching customers from dial-up to high speed, I'd be one busy dude!

Ok.....so why use synthetics?

Petroleum based oils are made from crude oil and are made at a refinery. No pun intended, but it's a bit of a crude process. Granted the end result is an adequate lubricant but there are many things left in the oil that diminish it's overall performance. One of the biggest "undesirable" elements left in the oil is paraffin. Paraffin is the reason petroleum oils "thicken up" when they get cold and "thin out" when they get hot. When that conventional oil gets cold overnight in your oil pan, it get thick like molasses, causing a heavy strain on the starter motor and battery that has to turn over that engine. The oil pump also has to pump that thick, heavy oil during start-up to all the internal components of your engine, it just can't do it. During start-up on a very cold engine, your internal engine components will wear at an accelerated rate until that thick oil gets pumped through your engine. The molecules that make up conventional oil are of multiple and irregular sizes and shapes which result in friction when they rub against each other and the components of your engine. Synthetic oils are created in a laboratory, they are manufactured to exact standards of the manufacturer. There are no "undesirable" elements left in the oil. There is no paraffin in pure synthetic oil, it doesn't gel like petroleum oil when cold or thin when hot. It is manufactured with very stable viscosity index. The molecules in synthetic oils are made up of are of very like size and shape, causing less friction and cooler operating temperatures.
The two factors that affect petroleum base oil to wear out or become ineffective are; heat and the chemical reaction that occurs from the process of combustion. The thickening and thinning that occurs over time in conventional oil contribute to the oils inability to cool as it lubricates, shortening it's life span. An engine that over-heats using conventional motor oil absolutely destroys the oils ability to cool. Because the viscosity of synthetic oils remain so stable and that the molecules that make it up are so uniform in size it can cool and lubricate an engine or transmission for far longer than any conventional oil.
Because the molecules are so uniform in size it makes it "slipperier" for a lack of better words. It becomes a superior lubricant instead of an adequate lubricant. Because synthetic oil create less friction, everything in the engine moves "easier" which results in increased horsepower and MPG.
A quart of high quality Amsoil synthetic oil is probably 3-4 times the price of a good quality petroleum oil but guess what, it costs you less. I've saved the best reason for last. It also is the hardest thing to get non synthetic users to believe, extended drain interval. Amsoil has oil that can extend your drain intervals from 3-5 thousand miles for conventional oil to 25,000 miles or 1 year whichever comes first. That's 5 oil changes compared to 1.

So you save money by eliminating 2-4 oil changes a year, improve performance by reducing friction and increasing horsepower and MPG plus those fewer oil changes every year will benefit the environment with less waste oil. Why would anyone not want to switch? Visit my website www.PerformanceLubeProducts.com to learn more about Amsoil products.