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Feb.12, 1998 National Oil & Lube News 1617 27th Street Lubbock, TX 79405-1402 |
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TO THE EDITOR: It was most interesting to see that two of your oil columnists both felt it in their best interest to tackle the issue of extended drain intervals in your February issue. It comes as no surprise to see Fran Lockwood of Valvoline and Don Johnson from Pennzoil attempting to debunk extended drain intervals. I strongly disagree with their assertions. To understand where I'm coming from please note the following two facts. AMSOIL has had 25 years of experience running synthetic motor oil for extended drains in millions of vehicles. We have oil analysis data for tens of thousands of vehicles that have been operated with extended drain intervals far beyond 7,500 miles using our products. This is actual use, on the road, real-life passenger car driving, not to mention the bench tests and controlled vehicle tests that have been performed. The notion that synthetics can't extend drain intervals because additives wear out as they do in conventional oils is itself a myth. Additives last longer in synthetic lubricants. It is documented through analysis that this is the truth. Let me say it again: extended drains with synthetics are a reality, and additive packages last longer in synthetic oil. These are facts. With regard to the by-products of combustion, it is also a fact that engines run cleaner with synthetic lubricants. Unlike petroleum, the by-products of combustion do not hinder the ability of synthetic lubricants to provide protection during extended drain intervals. Once again, this is borne out by oil analysis and real-life passenger car driving. Oil companies have had ample experience with the limitations of petroleum based oil, and the two problems cited are the primary reasons why they appear to be so adamant about the 3,000-mile drain interval requirement. But neither one of these reasons interfere with the ability of properly formulated synthetics to provide service for extended drains. This is why we are strongly urging the industry to consider a two-tiered drain interval recommendation that recognizes the performance disparity between petroleum based and synthetic motor oils. Let's face it, in Europe eight and nine thousand mile drain intervals are typical, even with petroleum oils. For most vehicles U.S. auto manufacturers have chosen a 3,000-mile/three-month drain interval for severe service and a 5,000- to 7,500-mile/six-month oil drain interval for normal service. Yet at the same time here in the U.S., we find Saab and Volvo carrying a 5,000-mile/six-month oil drain interval for severe service and 10,000-mile/12-month oil drain recommendation for highway driving. An extra quart of sump capacity or the virtues of European engineering can't explain away these discrepancies between the U.S. and the rest of the world. It is to be expected that the major oil companies will fight to retain the three thousand mile oil change. They sell more oil that way. Yet we know that the 7,500-mile/six-month oil change program recommended by AMSOIL is an unquestionably acceptable recommendation and we stand behind it. In point of fact, this is only the beginning. Leaders in this industry will get on board and utilize the technology available today to extend drain intervals. Consumers want it. We've got it. It's the right thing to do. Respectfully,  A. J. Amatuzio President and CEO AMSOIL INC. |
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