A few satisfied truck customers that use amsoil oil products

Owner/Operator Mike Geho experiences significant fuel savings with amsoil

Dear AMSOIL:

I have been using amsoil synthetic diesel engine oil and the amsoil oil dual-gard by-pass filtration system, along with used oil analysis, for nearly three years. My 1997 Mack CH613 had 176,000 miles on it when I began using amsoil motor oil and the dual-gard system. At the time I bought this truck, the company I am leased to bought a number of identical trucks for their fleet. All of these trucks operate in much the same way, including operating environment, type of haul, etc. These trucks also have a dash mounted digital display of the lifetime average fuel economy. At this time my trucks average is 6.78 MPG, and the company trucks range from 5.8 to 6.2 MPG. The difference between 6.78 and a fleet average of 6 MPG is over 11 percent. That is significant savings, and the major difference here is I use amsoil and the company trucks use conventional oil!

Both the full flow and by-pass filters are changed regularly, and at each 20,000 mile interval, an oil sample is taken to monitor the oils condition. Currently, I have 412,000 miles on this truck, the last 236,000 without an oil change. The oil analysis from Oil Analyzers, Inc. reports the oil is suitable for continued use and the engine runs great.

Mike Geho
Owner/Operator and amsoil dealer

After a 409,000-Mile Oil Drain Interval Mack Engine Teardown After 409,000 miles without an oil change, the amsoil-protected Mack E7-400 engine in this truck was as wear-free as an engine in comparable service treated to TWENTY TIMES the oil changes. COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VIRGINIA I didn't see any surprises in there at all. Based on my experience with amsoil motor oil, it came out the way we expected, said owner/ operator Haywood Gray (right) of his 1990 Mack E7-400 engine. It came out in good shape, exactly what you'd expect for a well-maintained engine with 630,000 miles. Yet the engines oil had not been changed for 409,000 miles! Gray began using amsoilL synthetic heavy-duty diesel and marine 15W-40 motor oil (AME) in the E9-400 V-8 engine of his first truck, a 1984 Mack, after the engine accumulated 45,000 miles. For 280,000 miles, Gray changed his oil at 40,000-to 60,000-mile intervals though his oil analysis reports showed, without exception, that the oil was good for continued use. At 325,000 miles, Gray increased his oil drain interval to 100,000 miles. The engine was torn down at 600,000 miles when Gray decided to sell the truck. The cylinder liners, bearings, pistons, rings and oil pump, all treated to extended oil drain intervals with amsoil, were found to be in excellent condition. Gray continued using amsoil AME in the engine of his new truck, a 1990 Mack with a E7-400 engine. With the new truck, instead of using 100,000 mile drain intervals, Gray began basing his oil drains on the findings of a used oil analysis program. He also installed an amsoil by-pass oil filter. After 630,000 miles total and 409,000 miles without an oil change, the E7-400 engine was torn down by the local Mack dealership in December 1996 and its parts were examined by an engine rater from a major oil additive manufacturer. Findings The engine showed light to moderate wear throughout, just as an engine in similar service and lubricated with conventional oil changed at 15,000- to 20,000-mile intervals would show. In fact, according to the engine rater the parts he examined cylinder liners, pistons, rings, bearings, valve train components could have been put right back in the engine and would have continued to provide the good, dependable service they had provided all along after 409,000 miles without an oil change! Discussion Many factors enable amsoil oil to be safely used 20 times longer than petroleum oils may be used: Stability amsoil synthetic heavy-duty diesel and marine 15W-40 motor oil is far less prone to thermal and oxidative breakdown than are petroleum oils. Stability inhibits the formation of carbon deposits, varnish, sludge and acids, which helps the engine run clean and protected. Neutralization ability While rapid TBN loss often renders conventional oils unfit for continued use, 12 Total Base Number (TBN) amsoil synthetic heavy-duty diesel and marine15W-40 motor oil offers lasting protection against engine corrosion. Viscosity retention Some conventional oils viscosity slips out of specification within a few thousand miles of an oil change. amsoil synthetic heavy-duty diesel and marine 15W-40 motor oil neither loses viscosity as shear-prone oils do, which promotes wear during high temperature operations, nor gains viscosity as oxidation-prone oils do, which promotes wear during startup and cold temperature operations.   The pins show no wear at all. The piston crowns and lands show a normal amount of carbon. The skirts are very clean with a few fine vertical lines. Independent engine rater The rings are very, very good. All the rings are free. None are broken. No plugging whatsoever in the oil rings. Independent engine rater Probably 95 percent of the crosshatching is still in the liners. No scuffing, no cavitations in the liners. The liners could go back in the condition they're in. Independent engine rater Additional Demonstrations Grays successful use of amsoil motor oil in extended drain service is not unique. Amsoil has conducted demonstrations with fleets all over North America. In each instance amsoil has been proven safe and effective in extended drain use. In fact, these studies show that amsoil used in extended drain interval programs consistently delivers lower rates of engine wear than conventional oils used in conventional drain interval programs.  The rater found the valve train components showed, very light wear. Very good. [I] find no wear on the shaft, which can be a heavily loaded area. Southern over-the-road fleet amsoil oil was used in Cummins class 8 engines for 75,000-mile drain intervals; the fleets normal drain intervals were 15,000 miles. Upper midwest grocery fleet amsoil oil was used in Cummins NTC 350 engines for 74,000-mile drain intervals; normal drain intervals were 12,000 miles. Northern grocery fleet amsoil oil was used in Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines for 79,000-mile drain intervals; normal drain intervals were 20,000 miles. Virginia Beach, Virginia owner/operator amsoil oil was used in Cummins 350 engine for 325,350 miles without a drain. Midwestern trucking fleet amsoil oil was used in Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines for 60,000-mile drain intervals; normal drain intervals were 20,000 miles. Northern tier over-the-road fleet In an ongoing demonstration, amsoil series 3000 5W-30 is being used in a fleet of Cummins N-14 engines for extended drain service with oil drains based on the findings of used oil analysis. One change was performed at one year with 125,000 miles on the amsoil oil. The oil was recommended for continued use. Normal oil drains are done at 20,000 miles.  Again, very, very light wear. These could be put right back in and used again. In an extended drain program [with petroleum oil] there's a possibility you could see maybe half again as much wear. Independent engine rater Light wear. They compare to [those in] an engine that had 15,000- to 20,000-mile [petroleum] oil and filter changes. Independent engine rater Minimal wear. These, too, compare to [those in] an engine that had 15,000- to 20,000-mile [petroleum] oil and filter changes. Independent engine rater Except for normal top polishing on the push tubes the rater found, no wear to speak of. These can go right back in the engine and be used again. The push tubes were put back into the engine and are in use today. I see no reason why it [the engine] couldn't run on. Independent engine rater AMSOIL Director of Technical Sales Dave Anderson (left) and independent engine rater Dick Maltby. WHAT MAKES amsoil SO GOOD? Synthetic base stocks, top-quality additives, and most importantly, more experience formulating synthetic motor oils than any other oil company, says amsoil Director of Technical Sales Dave Anderson.  Amsoil first put a long-drain synthetic diesel oil on the market in 1975 and since then has introduced three other long-drain synthetic diesel oils. DOES amsoil OFFER A WARRANTY? Yes. amsoil warrants that the use of its lubricants will not cause mechanical damage to any mechanically sound equipment when amsoil products are used in full compliance with amsoil recommendations. Amsoil extended drain interval recommendations are set at a minimum of two times or more than the engine manufacturers recommendations as determined by oil analysis. Diesel operators who use amsoil for extended drains are fully protected. Studies have proven time and again that extended drain intervals with amsoil are a win/win situation truckers win with less downtime and oil expense and they win big with reduced engine wear. Amsoil synthetic heavy-duty diesel and marine 15W-40 motor oil Aces Test! Haywood Gray has his used oil tested regularly to ensure the ongoing serviceability of the oil and well-being of the engine. In the engine oil report card, wear metals tell the whole story. A high wear metal content indicates a high rate of engine wear. In fact, most engine manufacturers publish upper limits on wear metals content at which an oil must be changed to assure continued engine protection. Even after 409,000 miles, amsoil oil protected better than Mack limits required. Now that's protection!  What Is Oil Analysis? Oil analysis is a maintenance management tool that allows users to monitor equipment condition for maximum equipment life, maximum lubricant drain interval length and optimal downtime scheduling. Oil analysis saves users significant money by reducing equipment replacements and repairs, reducing the volume of lubricant purchased and destined for disposal and, most of all, by reducing downtime. Oil analysis customers like Haywood Gray trend line their oil analyses. Trend lining involves comparing the results of previous oil analysis reports to those of the most recent report to establish trends in wear metals content, viscosity, acid content, acid neutralization ability and other characteristics as specified. Departures from established trends indicate a change in engine or lubricant condition and the information they provide may be used to correct abnormal conditions before they cause damage or failure. Amsoil oil analysis The amsoil oil analysis program puts technologically advanced testing equipment in the hands of experienced diagnosticians to deliver accurate, reliable, useful results.

Save 8.2% More MPG with AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants

Replacing popular conventional engine and driveline lubricants with amsoil synthetic lubricants in Class 8 diesel-fueled vehicles increases fuel mileage up to 8.2% according to the findings of an independent test facility.

Fuel accounts for roughly 37 percent of Class 8 truck operating expenses, and reducing fuel expenses is a top priority for truck operators.

AMSOIL is the leader in the race to develop fuel efficient low-viscosity lubricants for trucking and other heavy-duty diesel applications. Independent laboratory testing shows amsoil series 3000 synthetic 5W-30 heavy duty diesel oil in the engine and amsoil synthetics in the drivetrain provide up to 8.2 percent more miles-per-gallon than other popular lubricants provide. 

Introduction
At the request of Amsoil Inc., an independent research institute conducted a month-long test com-paring the fuel consumption of Class 8 diesel trucks equipped with amsoil synthetic lubricants to Class 8 diesel trucks equipped with conventional lubricants.

The research institute used the SAE J1321 Joint TMC/SAE Fuel Consumption Test Procedure-Type II, an industry standard test procedure for comparing in-service fuel consumption of a vehicle operated under two conditions, one with the control lubricants in place, the other with the test lubricants in place.

Vehicles and Route
The three test and one control vehicles were 1995 International Model 9200 truck-tractors with Cummins M-11 engines (rated at 350 hp at 1600 rpm), Fuller RTXF 14710B transmissions, Eaton Model DS/RS 404 drive axles (3.90 ratio), 11R-24.5 low-profile tires and new oil and air filters. All four vehicles had been operated between 250,000 and 285,000 miles prior to the study.

The trucks were equipped with auxiliary weigh fuel tanks and quick disconnect couplings to facilitate accurate data gathering. Each truck pulled a 45-foot long flatbed trailer equipped with 11R-24.5 low-profile tires and loaded with concrete blocks so that the gross vehicle weight (GVW) of each vehicle was 75,550 +/-100 lbs.

The test route represented typical long-haul interstate highway operations, with asphalt road surfaces and generally flat terrain. The low traffic density route covered a total of 40 miles with a 20-mile southbound segment and the return north-bound segment. Fuel consumption was measured separately for each direction.

Lubricants and Fuels
The control lubricants were Shell Rotella T 15W-40 for the engines, Quaker State SAE 90 for the transmissions and Citco 85W-140 for the drive axles. The control truck used the control lubricants for all driving segments and the test trucks used the control lubricants for their baseline segments.

The test lubricants were amsoil motor oil series 3000 Synthetic 5W-30 heavy duty diesel oil for the engines, amsoil motor oil series 2000 Synthetic 20W-50 Racing Oil for the transmissions and amsoil motor oil 2000 Synthetic 75W-90 Gear Lube for the drive axles. The test vehicles used the test lubricants for their test segments.

All vehicles used Exxon No. 2 diesel fuel dispensed from the same storage tank for all driving segments.

Procedure
Each test vehicle ran a baseline segment, in which the truck was equipped with the control lubricants, and three test segments, in which it was equipped with test lubricants. The control vehicle concurrently ran each driving segment using control lubricants.

Conditions including speed, tire pressure, headlight and fan use and window openings were held constant between all vehicles in each driving segment. Finally, testing proceeded only if wind direction, wind speed and temperature were within test parameters.

Results
The weight of fuel consumed by each test vehicle and the weight of fuel consumed by the control vehicle in each driving segment were used to determine the percentage of fuel saved and the percentage fuel efficiency improvement obtained by the test lubricants. Results outside 2 percent of the norm were discarded.

Findings
The vehicles equipped with amsoil synthetic lubricants in the engines, transmissions and drive axles demonstrated up to an 8.2 percent increase in miles per gallon (mpg) over the mpg obtained by the vehicles equipped with the control lubricants.

Discussion
Test conditions were held close to ideal for maximum fuel economy. In many instances of less-than-ideal conditions, the synthetic test lubricants would have provided even more fuel economy improvement. For example, synthetics superior cold temperature fluidity provides a larger proportion of fuel savings in cold operating conditions.

Additionally, while the present study did not include analysis of wear control, wear control is an important issue with low viscosity lubricants and one fully addressed by amsoil through additional testing.

Traditionally, the benefit of improved fuel economy provided by low viscosity lubricants is offset by a penalty in wear control. Such is not the case with Series 2000 and 3000 lubricants, as evidenced by Four-Ball Wear testing conducted by an independent laboratory (results shown on product labels) and a growing body of demonstration and on-road data.

For example, an ongoing fleet demonstration is providing evidence of the excellent wear control of Series 3000. Since January 1996, amsoil and a northern tier trucking fleet have been conducting a demonstration using Series 3000 in the 1996 Cummins N-14 ESP3 engines of five 1996 Kenworth class 8 trucks.

The trucks traveled 125,000 miles with-out an oil change and the rate of wear metal generation found in used Series 3000 samples was lower than that found in used control oil, Pennzoil Long Life 15W-40, which is changed at 20,000-mile intervals.

Additionally, the viscometrics of the amsoil fluids provide a wear control benefit in cold temperature applications since low viscosity fluids flow more freely in cold temperatures than high viscosity fluids do. Oils that flow easily in cold temperatures provide faster post-startup wear protection in cold engines than do less fluid oils. They also provide easier starting and reduced battery drain.

Finally, amsoil product users are protected by the amsoil warranty, which, unlike warranties offered by other oil companies, is not limited by time or mileage and does not require user registration and approval.

Conclusion
Amsoil synthetic engine, transmission and drive axle lubricants provide a safe and effective means to significantly increase class 8 truck fuel economy.

Amsoil series 3000 synthetic 5W-30 heavy duty diesel motor oil provides better wear protection than these popular high viscosity diesel oils. In fact, independent testing showed the high-viscosity oils tested produced wear scars up to 45 percent larger than that of series 3000.

What Does a Savings of 8.2% Mean?

Imagine a fleet of 100 class 8 vehicles running an average 120,000 miles per year at an average 6.5 mpg with diesel fuel at $1.35 a gallon. The fleet spends $2,492,308 on fuel annually. Now imagine the fleet uses Amsoil products and improves its miles-per-gallon by 8.2 percent. The fleet now spends $2,303,427 on fuel annually.

Thats a savings of $188,881! That money could buy a years worth of Amsoil synthetic lubricants for the fleet plus a years fuel for 3 to 6 trucks with cash left over!

CUMMINS M-11 ENGINE
Sump capacity: 9 gallons

FULLER RTXF-14710B TRANSMISSION
Sump: 25.5 pints (3.2 gal)
One fluid fill

EATON MODEL DS 404 DRIVE AXLES
Sump: 63 pints (7.9 gal)
One fluid fill

After deducting the annual Amsoil lube cost from $188,881, the fleet still has between $68,277 and $150,852 enough to buy a years worth of fuel for 3 to 6 trucks with cash left over!

Extended drains save you even more!