AMSOIL Synthetic Oil Products Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Amsoil cost?

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Can AMSOIL Motor Oils be used in any engine?

Certainly, AMSOIL Motor Oils may be used in any mechanically sound gasoline or diesel fueled engine. Basically, that means they are excellent for use in any vehicle’s engine.

When is the best time to switch to AMSOIL?

Switching a vehicle to AMSOIL synthetic motor oil is fairly simple, but there are a few things you need to be aware of. First, if you have a brand new vehicle we recommend that you run a short cycle of petroleum oil on a gas engine passenger car or light truck (typically 500 miles) and approximately 5000 miles on a diesel engine before installing AMSOIL. This doesn't mean that you can't install AMSOIL sooner, as many OEM's install synthetics as a factory fill, it simply means these are our recommendations based on our extensive engineering studies and knowledge of this topic. Check out this page for more information on Switching to Amsoil.

Should I use an oil additive like Slick 50 when using AMSOIL

Absolutely Not! AMSOIL has long discouraged motorists from using any kind of aftermarket lubricant additive. After all, AMSOIL synthetic lubricants use the finest quality synthetic basestocks and additive systems. AMSOIL motor oils are formulated under the strictest quality control standards to provide superior lubrication performance. Additives cost money and only detract from the quality of AMSOIL motor oils.

A perfect example of why AMSOIL discourages use of aftermarket additives is the Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) recent lawsuit against zMax auto additives, seeking to halt false and misleading advertising and gain refunds for consumers who purchased the products. According to the FTC, the enhanced performance benefits zMax claims its products provide are totally unsubstantiated, and in the same tests cited to support performance claims, motor oil treated with zMax actually produced more than twice as much bearing corrosion than motor oil by itself. They further allege that the three different zMax products - an engine additive, a fuel line additive and a transmission additive - are nothing more than tinted mineral oil.

The complaint states that since at least May of 1999, zMax has aired infomercials promoting its Power System, a $39 package of three additives to be used in the engine, fuel line and transmission of automobiles. The infomercials are quite convincing, even going as far as featuring testimonials from various consumers and race car drivers making such claims as, I was averaging about 22 miles to the gallon on the highway. I installed the zMax and so I jumped right up to about 28 miles per gallon and zMax guarantees a minimum of 10 percent gas mileage increase. Other advertising claims zMax with LinKite has the scientific, CRC L38 proof it takes your car to the Max! and Why zMax Works - Cuts carbon build-up on valve stems 66%; Lowers wear on valve stems 66%; Lowers wear on piston skirts 60%; Reduces blow-by leakage 17.7%; Increases combustion efficiency 9.25%; Lowers fuel consumption 8.5% - Results of an independent CRC L38 test.

The CRC L38 test is a standard auto industry test which measures the bearing corrosion protection properties of motor oils. According to the complaint, in early 1997 an independent testing facility performed two CRC L38 tests of the zMax products. The results showed motor oil treated with the zMax additives produced more than double the bearing corrosion as motor oil alone. According to the FTC, the defendants eliminated the bearing corrosion results, as well as all other negative results, to produce one report from the two sets of tests, using this report in its infomercials and on its website.

The FTC charge alleges that zMax did not possess and rely on reasonable substantiation for the following product claims: increases gas mileage by a minimum of 10% reduces engine wear reduces or eliminates engine wear at startup reduces engine corrosion extends engine life reduces emissions They also allege that the defendants falsely represent that the results of the CRC L38 test prove that zMax: increases gas mileage reduces engine wear extends engine life lowers fuel consumption by 8.5% lowers wear on valve stems by 66% lowers wear on piston skirts by 60% cuts carbon build-up on valve stems by 66% Finally, the FTC charges that zMax does not have substantiation for the representation that the testimonials and endorsements shown in zMax advertising are the actual and current opinions, findings, beliefs, and/or experiences of those consumers; and the typical or ordinary experience of members of the public who use the product. The lawsuit against zMax is the latest in a long line of FTC charges against auto additive manufacturers. The FTC has previously halted allegedly deceptive advertising by the marketers of Dura Lube, Motor Up, Prolong, Valvoline, Slick 50, STP and other major brands of engine treatment systems.

Slick 50 Engine Treatment STP Engine Treatment Valvoline Engine Treatment Dura Lube Super Engine Treatment Dura Lube Advanced Engine Treatment Motor Up Engine Treatment Prolong Super Lubricants zMax Auto Additives

Which 30 Weight Oil Do I Use - What is the difference?

AMSOIL 0W-30, 5W-30 and 10W-30 synthetic motor oils are ALL 30 weight oils. The answer is that ANY one can be used regardless if your vehicle owners manual says to use, for example, a 5W-30. "W" means winter. In winter weather the 0W oil will flow like a 0W oil, and the 5W will flow like a 5W oil and a 10W will flow like a 10W oil just until the engine warms up.

In order to understand the differences one has to first understand that the numerical values given to these various weight oils are strictly empirical numbers. For example, 0W does not mean that the oil has no weight. That is one of the reasons why we say it is strictly an empirical number. In order to determine the differences between the three oils one has to look at the kinematic viscosity of each lubricant. The kinematic viscosity is essentially the amount of time, in centistokes, that it takes for a specified volume of the lubricant to flow through a fixed diameter orifice at a given temperature.

Let's compare the kinematic viscosity of the three AMSOIL lubricants:
AMSOIL 0W-30 is 57.3 cST @ 40 deg. C, & 11.3 cST @ 100 deg. C
AMSOIL 5W-30 is 59.5 cST @ 40 deg. C, & 11.7 cST @ 100 deg. C
AMSOIL 10W-30 is 66.1 cST @ 40 deg. C, & 11.7 cST @ 100 deg. C.

As you can see from the data above the kinematic viscosities are extremely close. Therefore, whether you use the 0W-30, 5W-30 or the 10W-30 is strictly a matter of choice. With the small differences in kinematic viscosity you would be hard-pressed to detect these differences on initial engine start-up without specialized engine test equipment.

All three oils are excellent motor oils and ANY one can be used in a vehicle which requires either a 0W-30, 5W-30 or 10W-30 oil as well as in several other engine applications including an engine which recommends a 5W- 20 oil.

AMSOIL Signature Series 0W-30 Severe Service motor oil is one of the best synthetic lubricants AMSOIL manufacturers for gasoline engine passenger vehicles and light trucks. The molecular and chemical technology used to develop this oil was derived from AMSOIL's Racing Oil. It is a 35,000 mile/1-year motor oil. This is the same oil used by numerous police vehicles and severe duty fleets nationwide. In fact, many national racing teams use the 0W-30 for the qualifying event, then they change to the AMSOIL 20W-50 Racing Oil for the race. The extra horsepower and friction reduction from the 0W-30 often assists a race driver in attaining a better starting position. In fact, we know exactly which race teams use it, but cannot disclose that information.

This leads to the next topic: many people also ask us if the 0W-30 is too thin a viscosity oil for high ambient temperature operation. The answer is absolutely not! Thicker viscosity oils are not always necessarily better since in addition to its' various engine lubrication functions, an oil must also effectively transfer heat. Only about 60% of an engines cooling is performed by the engine coolant, and only on the upper half of the engine. The remaining 40% of an engines cooling is performed mainly by the engine oil.

Although a vehicle that is recommended to use a 30 weight oil can also use a 40 weight oil, it is usually not needed. You will gain absolutely no benefit from using a thicker viscosity oil if it is not needed. The only time we recommend a 40 weight oil, such as AMSOIL's 10W-40, to a customer in a passenger car or light truck application is if the vehicle's engine is excessively worn and consumes oil at a higher than normal rate or if the vehicle is being used for very severe duty, high load, high temperature applications.

Will adding other motor oil to my engine affect my drain-intervals

Adding another brand of motor oil will reduce the amount of AMSOIL in your engine which will shorten the life of the AMSOIL motor oil. Using another motor oil will require you to change your motor oil much sooner than Amsoil recommends.

How does a synthetic oil decrease friction and improve gas mileage and performance

Synthetic oil molecules are more resistant to contaminants. They are generally smaller, and more consistent in physical size. Amsoil synthetic oil provides less stress on your engine providing superior gas mileage increase & additional horsepower. Reduced friction makes engine bearings rotate easier. This saves energy & conserves fuel. Using AMSOIL will save enough per year in fuel savings to pay for all your vehicles lubrication needs.

Oil Additives

Diesel Applications

Oil and Air Filtration

Motorcycle Applications

Snowmobile Applications

Transmission Applications

Motor Oil and Synthetic Lubricants

Two-Cycle Engine Oil Applications

Converting to AMSOIL & Breaking in a New Engine

A Cheap Motor Oil may save you money today, But..., it will COST  you in the end!

Check out a cost comparison HERE!

Once you have installed AMSOIL, you will notice the following benefits: Easier cold weather starting, cold weather pumpability and circulation, smoother engine performance and more horsepower, reduced exhaust emissions, superior wear protection, improved fuel economy, extended engine life, extended starter life, excellent engine cleanliness, long drain intervals, longer spark plug life, reduced engine temperatures, reduced oil consumption, excellent resistance to sludge, coke, varnish deposits (Thermal Stability), reduced/eliminated piston groove sticking, reduced/eliminated valve sticking, superior shear stability, superior resistance to viscosity increase (Volatility Resistance), superior film strength, money and time savings. You will not get any of these benefits with conventional petroleum oil.

Interested in becoming an AMSOIL Dealer?

Knowledge is Power! We have set up a plan to help you excel in your own AMSOIL Dealership. This is exclusive to dealers in our group only! With effort and the information we provide, you should be well on your way to creating a successful business. We have the knowledge base to help you succeed! We are the largest group in AMSOIL consisting of OEM Engineers, Designers and lubrication specialists. We are confident that our experience will provide an excellent source of knowledge and information while building your dealership or using AMSOIL synthetic products in your vehicles / equipment. AMSOIL has the warehouses, manufacturing, distribution systems and marketing plan already in place! All you have to do is use the tools offered and develop your own personal group of AMSOIL Dealers. AMSOIL is an excellent company to represent and the synthetic products are the best there is, period!

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We possess the skills, desire and knowledge to answer questions, solve problems, improve efficiency, reduce downtime, maintenance costs and increase the durability and life of all of your vehicles and equipment. We do business nationwide and Canada. Email us for more information.

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Scott & Linda Rogus
AMSOIL DISTRIBUTOR  / NATIONWIDE DIRECT JOBBERS
Smart Synthetics L.L.C.
Automotive/Truck Engineers and Lubrication Specialist
Oxford, Michigan 48371
1-877-869-0443
info@smartsynthetics.com

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