AAA TESTING AFFIRMS SUPERIORITY OF SYNTHETIC MOTOR OILS
AMSOIL introduced the world to synthetic motor oil in 1972, and we’ve been extolling the benefits ever since. While we’ve been joined by many vehicle and equipment manufacturers and competing motor oil companies over the years, the American Automobile Association (AAA) is the most recent company to promote the benefits of using synthetics. The popular club recently conducted in-depth testing to determine if it’s worth paying more for synthetic oil over conventional oil.
The answer is a resounding “yes.”
“Oil protects critical engine components from damage and AAA found that synthetic engine oils performed an average of 47 percent better than conventional oils in a variety of industry-standard tests,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. “With its superior resistance to deterioration, AAA’s findings indicate that synthetic oil is particularly beneficial to newer vehicles with turbo-charged engines and for vehicles that frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic, tow heavy loads or operate in extreme hot or cold conditions.
“It’s understandable that drivers may be skeptical of any service that is nearly twice the cost of the alternative. While a manufacturer-approved conventional oil will not harm a vehicle’s engine, the extra $30 per oil change could actually save money in the long run by protecting critical engine components over time.”
AAA Testing
AAA’s research included eight industrystandard ASTM tests focusing on shear stability, deposit formation, volatility, cold-temperature pumpability, oxidation resistance and oxidation-induced rheological changes. Each test was performed on five synthetic and five conventional oils. The results of this study by a reputable, thirdparty organization reaffirm what we’ve been saying for more than 45 years and give you one more reference point to back up your claims in the buy-sell process.
NOACK Volatility Test
The NOACK Volatility Test (ASTM D5800) 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. The lower the number, the better the resistance to vaporization.
Thermo-Oxidation Engine Oil Simulation Test (TEOST)
The Thermo-Oxidation Engine Oil Simulation Test (ASTM D6335) determines the deposit-resisting properties of lubricants in high-temperature service. Motor oils can form deposits when exposed to increased heat, reducing efficiency and contributing to poor overall performance. The lower the number, the better the resistance to deposit formation.
AAA testing indicates synthetic motor oils more effectively resist high temperature vaporization and deposit formation, helping maintain peak fuel efficiency and reducing wear, oil consumption and emissions.
Omaha Drivers: When you buy that new car, even those free oil changes are costing you. To be honest all you are doing is adding inefficient deposit adding and performance robbing bulk oil which in many cases does not stack up to even the manufactures requirements (as proven in API reports in recent years). The most compelling reason to only use synthetics (ones labeled as 100% as AMSOIL is the only one) is for performance. Bulk oil which comes from a tank is certainly not blended and tested for newer engines which exhibit issues not seen in past designs. LSPI for one, loss of viscosity is common as well as catastrophic failure when the cooling system fails. A synthetic can save your engine when things like this happen. Bit just the lack of viscosity retention is the most common..