 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.
For a copy of David McFall's column on
AMSOIL, contact Lubes-n-Greases at (703) 536-0800
or see it below in read-only PDF format.
Lubes 'n' Greases logo is a
Registered Trademark of LNG Publishing Company, Inc.
Drain Intervals: How Long Must We Wait?
Motor Oil Drain Intervals: An Ethical
Burden?
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