AMSOIL introduced extended drain intervals in 1972. In fact, it was AMSOIL President Al Amatuzio who coined the term "extended drain." The oil industry and other related industries have been reluctant to accept the technology available for extended drains, but extensive testing and billions of over-the-road miles have proven AMSOIL right. With European automobiles and trucks the world over already using extended drains, what does the future hold for extended drains in the North American automobile market?
The short answer is, it depends on who you ask. The discussion about extended drains is increasing. In fact, all of the major players in the extended drain debate seem to be getting involved.
In July 1996, Consumer Reports fanned the flames. In "The Surprising Truth About Motor Oil," CR brought the issue to the fore by suggesting 7,500-mile oil drains would provide adequate protection under "normal" driving conditions (CR still fell far short of the drain intervals recommended by AMSOIL).
Major automakers, quick lube representatives and oil manufacturers are all taking notice of extended drains and making their views known--divergent and often conflicting views. The resulting debate may change the course of the lubricants industry dramatically. Some industries aren't crazy about what those changes might be; others are thrilled with the possibilities.
So who's saying what? Here's an overview:
The one unifying cry of the automakers when it comes to motor oil quality is, "We want more!" On that, all of the major players agree.
The May 1996 issue of Lubes 'n' Greases featured an article based on a meeting with representatives of the three major automakers. The article begins with a quote by Stefan Korcek, a Ford engineer: "We should have gotten more from the GF-2 process." Representatives from the three companies then detail how lack of knowledge about available lubricant technology led to an unsatisfactory PCMO (passenger car motor oil) upgrade.
One of the primary issues was extended drains. "Certainly there is technology available to raise the standard and extend the drain interval without compromising engine durability or removing the performance cushion ... Europe is already at a 9,000-mile drain interval and is seriously considering twice that," says GM's Mike McMillan.
Articles in Lubes 'n' Greases and other magazines clarify the reason for the automakers' interest in extended drains--customer service. In "GM's Tough Agenda for Lubes," Lubes 'n' Greases reports that extended drains are a customer service issue.
"...We're very concerned about engine durability and oil drain intervals particularly as they impact reducing the amount of maintenance our customers are required to perform. Customers want to minimite their vehicle maintenance time and changing engine oil is their single biggest remaining maintenance item. Addressing that issue is very important to us."
Another reason automakers want extended drains and increased lubricant performance is lease programs. Leased vehicles are often maintained less diligently than other vehicles, and lubricant performance is a must. When leases end, customers are drawn back into the showroom, where extended drains--and increased convenience--are a big selling point.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is the quick lube industry. The National Oil & Lube News, which bills itself as "America's Newspaper for the Fast Lube Industry" has taken up the extended drains debate in several recent issues.
Extended drains could undermine quick lube businesses that rely on frequent oil changes to generate business. That doesn't make quick lubes happy: in the November 1996
NOLN
, Convenient Automotive Services Institute (CASI) president Jim Sapp is quoted as saying, "For years, Jiffy [Lube] has preached the 3,000-mile or three-month oil change interval. And fortunately for us, many motorists take it as gospel. But we need to do more as an industry.... It's not inevitable that intervals will expand to the point where we can no longer stay in business.
However, AMSOIL Dealers have reason for optimism. Dennis Brooks, Vice President of SpeeDee Oil Change & Tune-Up, made the following statement, quoted in the same article: "There will be a real opportunity to implement additional services. I believe there will be a greater potential to move into selling a higher percentage of synthetic oil."
Not surprisingly, many in the oil industry are resistant to the idea of extended drain intervals.
In the October 1996 Lubes 'n' Greases, Quaker State CEO Herbert M. Baum suggests, "We need to go on the offensive. Stop fighting with each other and go forward as a group; fight for regular oil changes. We have to build business as a group, and it's the role of our associations to promote the use of our products."
The March 1997 Lubricants World reports, "Next to user inertia, the main obstacle to the growth in conversion to synlubes appears to be a strong counterattack by petroleum lubricant sellers such as Chevron, Conoco, Exxon, Pennzoil and Shell.
After all, as Amoco's Mark Kerkemeyer points out in the same article, "Fill-for-life reduces disposal to a onetime event." It reduces sales to one-time events, too.
AMSOIL has seen dramatic extended drain results in both automotive and heavy-duty trucking applications. The recent teardown of Haywood Gray's 1990 Mack E7-400 engine is a case in point. The engine, after running 409,000 miles on the same oil, showed minimal wear rates.
The first AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil, released in 1972, had a drain interval recommendation of 25,000 miles. The advanced additive packages in AMSOIL Series 2000 and Series 3000 lubricants can extend drain intervals even further.
Billions of over-the-road miles and consistently outstanding lubricant performance have proven these drain recommendations correct.
Further proof can be found in the AMSOIL TRIGARD program. Thousands of TRIGARD customers have experienced the convenience of extending drain intervals, many for over 100,000 miles.
All of these numbers and statistics make one point: the 3,000-mile oil change interval belongs in the history books, not in the shop, the backyard or the quick lube. Certainly not in your vehicle.
The automakers are looking for proof that oil drains can be extended without compromising engine protection or fuel economy; they needn't look any further. AMSOIL synthetic motor oils provide unsurpassed wear protection, and recent fuel economy performance has been as impressive as the extended drain intervals.
Of course, at AMSOIL, those kinds of results are the standard. We've seen the future of the oil industry... and it's right here at AMSOIL.
Copyright ©AMSOIL ACTION NEWS / MAY 1997
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