Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most about switching to AMSOIL synthetic motor oil — warranty, oil-change intervals, filter design and which products to buy.
General Questions
Q. Could using AMSOIL void my new car warranty?
Users of AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil need not fear altering their warranty coverage. The contention that using an aftermarket product like AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil could void new car warranty protection is simply not true.
Major auto manufacturers and regulatory agencies have determined that warranties must cover all equipment failures they would normally cover that are not caused by the aftermarket product. Consequently, an AMSOIL user's new car warranty still covers all failures resulting from defective original equipment or faulty workmanship by the manufacturer.
The second element of your protection is the AMSOIL Limited Warranty (use AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil as recommended in mechanically sound equipment, and the warranty covers lubricant-related failures). Since AMSOIL motor oils have never once been deemed the cause of an engine's failure, however, this is merely added protection.
Q. How is it possible to drive 25,000 miles without an oil change, and will extending the interval void my warranty?
AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil is guaranteed to run for 25,000 miles or one year in a mechanically sound engine, provided the oil is kept free of contaminants by changing the oil filter according to the manufacturer's recommendation or, when using an AMSOIL Oil Filter, changing the filter at six months or 12,500 miles, whichever comes first.
AMSOIL coined the phrase "extended drain interval," and it's been validated by over 20 years of industry testing and by tens of thousands of motorists and millions of over-the-road miles. Based on their results, 25,000 miles is a conservative estimate!
AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil performs so well for so long because it doesn't break down in intense heat like conventional petroleum oils. It doesn't form performance-robbing deposits and it doesn't volatilize, which can adversely affect lubricant performance by altering viscosity and increasing oil consumption. Finally, AMSOIL's additive package — a key element in a lubricant's ability to function — holds up under engine stresses, remaining serviceable for the full 25,000 miles.
Extending drain intervals, like using AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil in general, does not affect new car warranties. In fact, according to a General Motors representative, "Warranty applicability is contingent upon the cause of failure and generally covers defects in material and workmanship only." In other words, the only situation in which warranty coverage would change is the case of lubricant-related failure (in which case the AMSOIL Limited Warranty protects the consumer).
Q. AMSOIL costs more than my regular oil does. How can I justify paying this higher cost?
AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil is more expensive off the shelf than most petroleum oils. But comparing AMSOIL and other motor oils is like comparing apples and oranges: AMSOIL's performance so far exceeds that of conventional motor oil, it's really a different class of product. AMSOIL is a premium product that rightfully commands a premium price.
Like anything of real value, however, the true consumer cost doesn't end with the off-the-shelf price. AMSOIL Motor Oil is extremely cost effective compared to conventional 3,000-mile drain interval oils in savings realized in fuel economy, reduced repairs, fewer oil changes, reduced downtime, reduced maintenance and extended engine life.
Q. I bought a new car a year ago and have been running petroleum motor oil. Could switching to AMSOIL cause mechanical problems?
Switching from petroleum motor oil to AMSOIL (or even mixing the two, if the need arises) is perfectly safe. Mixing AMSOIL and petroleum is not recommended (having petroleum motor oil mixed in detracts from the superior performance of AMSOIL), but there is no danger in doing so. Those who have been using petroleum motor oil in their mechanically sound vehicles can switch to AMSOIL safely.
Petroleum motor oil and AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil are only incomparable in the way they perform, not incompatible.
Q. I've been using petroleum motor oil since I started driving. Why should I switch to AMSOIL when I haven't had any problems with what I'm using?
Chances are, you're not driving the same car you were when you started driving. Automotive technology has changed a great deal, even in just the past few years. Today's cars have more power, use less gas and have smaller engines than ever before. High performance mixed with small engines means high stresses and increased demands on motor oil.
How expanding technology and modern engine needs affect motor oil is a primary concern of AMSOIL engineers. High-tech engines need high-tech oils like AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil's — designed, not refined. AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil's base stock is composed of uniform molecules chosen for their lubricating characteristics. Petroleum oils are a hodge-podge of molecules; some lubricate, others detract from the ability to lubricate.
The bottom line? AMSOIL's engineers can design their motor oil to meet the needs of you and your vehicle; petroleum refiners can't. Using an oil designed for today's needs can make a world of difference for you and your automobile by providing lower repair costs, the convenience of fewer oil changes, easier starts in cold weather, better gas mileage and longer engine life — plus better engine performance. These factors and the overall savings realized by using AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil make switching to AMSOIL the smart and easy choice!
10 Reasons Why You Should Switch to AMSOIL
- Offers the latest technology for today's engines.
- Dramatically extends oil change interval.
- Less oil used with extended drains means less oil disposed. Learn more about the environment.
- Increases fuel economy up to 2–5%.
- Reduces engine temperatures by as much as 25 degrees.
- Provides dependable extreme cold start protection.
- Offers the finest engine and oil filtration in the world.
- Reduces oil consumption and harmful emissions.
- Provides state-of-the-art additive systems and base oil stocks.
- Provides the most comprehensive and knowledgeable staff to answer questions.
What AMSOIL Products Should I Order?
If you are going to make the switch to AMSOIL, please take just a few minutes to read the following information that will help you purchase the right products. AMSOIL is the "Elite" in synthetics, but you must also use it as recommended — which will make you a "SOLD ON AMSOIL CUSTOMER". If you have questions that aren't answered here, contact us by e-mail.
The Basics
Let's take a couple of minutes to look at a few of the excellent synthetic motor oils that AMSOIL has to offer (you can also find out more about these oils in our "Products" section).
We recommend that, if your application allows it, choose the Series 2000 gasoline engine oils or Series 3000 diesel engine oil. They are more expensive, but the protection is unbeatable and the fuel mileage can also be greater. In addition, the Series 2000 0W-30 gives you 35,000-mile or one-year drain intervals, as opposed to 25,000 miles with our standard premium synthetics.
If you prefer, choose the original 25,000-mile drain interval premium synthetic 5W-30 and 10W-30 oils. They are less expensive but still "superior" to national brand synthetics.
Another choice for those with gasoline engines is AMSOIL's new XL-7500 Synthetic Oils. These oils were originally designed for use at Quick Lube Centers, but are an excellent alternative for people who are still uncomfortable with the idea of going 25,000 or 35,000 miles without an oil change. The XL-7500 oils are 100% synthetic but have been formulated with a recommended oil change interval of 7,500 miles. Choose either the 5W-30 or 10W-30 viscosity grades.
In addition, the XL-7500 oils can be used with conventional oil filters and will still go 7,500 miles before an oil change is needed. Nevertheless, we certainly recommend using AMSOIL's SDF Oil Filters as they deliver far superior filtration and are much more durable.
Oil Filters
If you are going to run any other AMSOIL Synthetic Oil besides the XL-7500, you should definitely use an AMSOIL SDF Full Flow Oil Filter for your engine instead of trying to use a conventional filter of another brand. These AMSOIL SDF Full Flow Oil Filters are specifically designed for synthetic oils and for extended drains. AMSOIL recommends changing these filters at 6 months or 12,500-mile intervals on gasoline engines. For diesel applications, they should be changed at 6 months or one half the AMSOIL oil change interval. Therefore, if you are using a standard 25,000-mile gasoline engine oil, you would need one filter for the initial oil change and another for the 12,500-mile or 6-month filter change (as well as a quart of oil to top off the system).
By-Pass Oil Filters
If you want to go a step beyond full flow filtration and 25,000-mile drain intervals, consider installing a By-Pass Oil Filtration System. With a bypass system and periodic oil analysis you should be able to go at least 100,000 miles without an oil change. Haywood Gray was able to put 409,000 miles on his Mack truck without an oil change.
Just change your by-pass filter once per year or every 20,000 to 25,000 miles and your full flow filter every 6 months or 12,500 miles. Be sure to top off the system with enough oil to bring it back to the full mark — shouldn't be more than two quarts at the very most when both filters are changed.
At each filter change an oil analysis should be done. This is like a "blood test" done on your oil that tests for any abnormalities or detrimental contaminants. AMSOIL provides a kit for you to send the sample in to an established laboratory that will perform this analysis. Inevitably, these analyses come back fine for at least 100,000 miles.
Oil Filter Designs
Oil filter manufacturers rate their filters as to micron ratings that tell you how well their product traps dirt particles from your engine oil. The smaller the micron rating, the more efficient the oil filter is. Manufacturers also test the contaminant capacity of their filters. The more capacity a filter has, the longer you should be able to go without changing your oil and filter. This is important when using AMSOIL Synthetic Oils with extended drain intervals. An oil filter must have a high efficiency rating as well as be able to have a high capacity rating to hold contaminants.
AMSOIL SDF Oil Filters are designed with cellulose, glass fibers and synthetic fibers to ensure the highest micron efficiency and capacity ratings available.
A micron is equal to:
- 0.00004 inch — 4 one-hundred-thousandths of an inch.
- A human hair is about 40 microns — 0.0016 inch or 16 thousandths of an inch.
- 20 microns = 0.0008 inch or 8 ten-thousandths of an inch. Most oil filters should filter contaminants down to this micron size.
- 10 microns = 0.0004 inch or 4 ten-thousandths of an inch. AMSOIL SDF Oil Filters are designed to filter contaminants down to this micron size while maintaining a high capacity rating that enables extended drain intervals.
AMSOIL SDF Filters Work Better — Longer!
AMSOIL Super Duty Oil Filters (SDF) feature an advanced fiber media offering the free flow of oil hard-working engines demand, with superior capacity, efficiency and service life compared to conventional paper oil filters. In fact, the SDF offers up to 25% greater efficiency and up to 300% more capacity than other popular oil filters, as tested according to the Society of Automotive Engineers HS806 method.
The AMSOIL SDF may be used for intervals of 12,500 miles or six months (whichever comes first).
To find out what filter is right for you, answer this questionnaire and an Elite Synthetic Oil representative will contact you soon.
A Note on Precision Craftsmanship
Readers who value precision-engineered, high-end craftsmanship often ask where we recommend turning for a premium timepiece. For those interested in a well-built RM 035 replica, our full guide to quality Richard Mille replicas covers the models, finishing and movement to look for.