New Slip Lock™ Tube Packaging

The Amsoil Slip Lock additive changed packaging and is no longer found in bottles but tubes.  Please note that tube packaging is indicated by the suffix TB. Now that AMSOIL Slip Lock™ is available in tubes rather than bottles, its product code is ADATB rather than ADABA.

Amsoil SDF88 Oil Filter Available

The EaO88 Oil Filters for the Ford 6.0/6.4L Power Stroke Diesels was cancelled a few months ago.  I don’t know the exact reasoning, but rumor has it the design with the Ea Media wasn’t up to par with what Amsoil wanted them to be.  I understand that a newer model is in the works, but no date of release is known yet.  We had access to Donaldson and Wix for this filter, but these will no longer be available as Amsoil has rereleased their previous SDF88 filter to cover this application.  If you used the Amsoil filter before the Ea Oil Filters were released, then you know the media it has.  Still an excellent filter, and the current cost on them is better than the costs we had for the Donaldson and Wix replacements.  Don’t feel you’re settling with the SDF, or Super Duty Filters.  These were the norm for Amsoil for many years and ranked as one of the top filters on the market.

Amsoil notice on this filter:

AMSOIL Now offers AMSOIL SDF88 Filter for Ford 6.0/6.4L Power Stroke Pickups
The AMSOIL SDF88 Oil Filter for Ford 6.0/6.4L Power Stroke Diesel Pickups is now available. The SDF88 oil filter features cellulose media and is designed for OEM-recommended change intervals. It is compatible with the AMSOIL BMK11 and BMK21 By-Pass Systems and replaces Donaldson P550528 and WIX 57312 filters. The Donaldson P550528 and WIX 57312 filters are discontinued.

Mother’s Products

On May 1st Mother’s Car Care and Marine Care products were discontinued in Canada.

New Automatic Transmission Fluid

Watch here for an announcement soon on the new transmission fluid Amsoil is releasing.  This new fluid will cover some applications that the standard Universal Automatic Transmission Fluid currently is not able to.  This will include DEXRON® VI, MERCON® LV, SP and Toyota WS.

Over the years I have often been asked how Royal Purple rates to Amsoil. When I first became an Amsoil Dealer, this never happened, since no one had every heard of them, but they pushed hard into the racing and performance market and, to their credit, they have done a good job with the exposure and name recognition. Now when I do shows or talk with customers, in particular performance related ones like the Mustang shows I often attend, their name comes up asking what I think. Here are some of the answers I give based on feedback or other reading I’ve done:

Years ago I used to make a personal list comparing the oils on their various specs and test results. These numbers I would get from the posts listed on each oil company’s web site. At that time, the Royal Purple numbers weren’t that great, and in many cases our lower tier of synthetic oil, the Amsoil XL line, performed easily as well if not better in some of the tests. Once you started to go up the Amsoil lines, the standard line and high end at the time, Series 2000, the numbers would change much more. I would point out and explain why the Amsoil number was a better result. Some of my comparisons are still floating out there in the forums I would talk in, although the actual test numbers should have changed by now with newer and better improvements over the years…hopefully.

Then there was the issue of there actually being two different Royal Purple lines as well. At that time, the most common one found in the local stores, if you could find it, did run less in price than Amsoil, something pro-RP people would eagerly point out, but it was also a blend, not a pure synthetic, like most believed. The only oil they had that was a full PAO base was their Racing Oil, which then cost more than the top end Series 2000 line from Amsoil and was even harder to find.

Things got a little muddy when the whole Mobil vs Castrol (Syntec) came up about ten years ago which opened the “synthetic” term to Group III petroleum oils. Most companies moved away from PAO bases (a Group IV) to this petroleum base which the API said could be called “synthetic.” Did Royal Purple change to? My doubts that they hadn’t came a few years ago after reading an article in Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords I get each month where they did an article on synthetic oils and the Royal Purple rep was quoted as saying all synthetics come from crude. This isn’t true unless he is referring to the Group III petroleum, which then brings up the question:  “did Royal Purple change too?”

Amsoil has addressed Royal Purple in a few comparisons so far and have listed them in testings. A few years ago they developed a Motorcycle White Paper comparing various popular brands of motorcycle oils. Of the twelve SAE 40 oils tested they tied for 7th position, and they came in 8th in the SAE 50 category out of 16 oils tested. A few years later, Amsoil did other testing for their Gear Lube White Papers (pdf) where Royal Purple was rated 12th of the fourteen brands tested, failing 3 of the 17 tests they claim to meet.

Today in the Lube Report by Lubes-n-Greases, an article came out with BP going after Royal Purple for falsely advertising unsubstantiated claims. Below is their article:

Truth in Advertising: BP v. Royal Purple

These two new viscosities have been specially engineered for severe differential applications including off-road and drag racing, and rock crawling. Their tenacious formulation clings to gear surfaces to prevent gear wear in extreme conditions. Below are more specifics:

Severe Gear® Synthetic Off-Road and Drag Racing Gear Lubricants:
SAE 190 and SAE 250

Formulated for severe racing conditions and other applications subject to extreme shock loading and pressures.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
AMSOIL Severe Gear Synthetic SAE 190 and SAE 250 Gear Lubricants are premium grade, extreme pressure gear lubes engineered specifically for the demands of severe racing conditions. They are formulated with shear stable, heavy synthetic base oils for “high film strength” and extra heavy treatments of additives. Their synthetic formulations provide improved flow over conventional oils, reducing viscous drag and power loss. Severe Gear SAE 190 and SAE 250 Gear Lubes provide a barrier cushion between metal surfaces that absorbs impact. AMSOIL proprietary extreme pressure additives form an iron-sulfide barrier coating on gear surfaces for the ultimate line of defense against wear, pitting and scoring.

PERFORMANCE
AMSOIL Severe Gear Synthetic SAE 190 and SAE 250 Gear Lubricants are specifically engineered for high horsepower, high torque conditions where centrifugal gear lube sling-off is encountered. These tenacious formulations cling to gears and bearings for the best possible protection during shock loading, high G-forces and where pinion gears are installed at steep angles. Custom Severe Gear Synthetic Gear Lubricants provide exceptional reliability and extended gear life.

• Protects gears from shock loading and tire shake
• Resists sling-off from G-forces and high speeds
• Clings to gears – high pinion style and at steep angles
• Promotes cooler operating temperatures
• Protects against rust and corrosion
• Extends gear and bearing life

APPLICATIONS
AMSOIL Severe Gear Synthetic SAE 190 and SAE 250 Gear Lubricants are excellent for severe differential applications, including off-road truck racing, rock racing, rock crawling, tractor pulling, funny car racing and dragster racing. Other severe duty applications include heavy duty trucks and equipment where increased lubricant film is necessary. These oils are recommended for use in hypoid gear differentials and other applications requiring a high viscosity, API GL-5 gear lube. Where limited slip performance is required, use AMSOIL Slip-Lock® limited slip additive.

Service Life
AMSOIL Severe Gear Synthetic SAE 190 and SAE 250 Gear Lubricants are intended for severe racing and other applications where extended drain intervals are not beneficial. AMSOIL recommends changing the lubricant as conditions dictate. Where extended drain intervals are desired, AMSOIL recommends monitoring by oil analysis.

Mixing AMSOIL
AMSOIL Severe Gear Synthetic SAE 190 and SAE 250 Gear Lubricants are compatible with conventional and synthetic automotive gear oils. Mixing AMSOIL gear oils with other oils, however, will shorten the oil life expectancy and reduce the performance benefits. Aftermarket oil additives, other than those specified by AMSOIL, are not recommended for use with AMSOIL gear oils.

As posted in my previous blog, the Amsoil/Injen diesel intakes have been delayed with a March release date planned as they are doing some improvements to the systems.

Due to the delay in the computer system updates scheduled to go online this month at Amsoil, this has also delayed a few other releases.  The custom made filters are one of these, since the design setup will be computer based.  There main goal is to allow the user to input all the information into a program (online from what I understand) and then the info is sent to manufacturing.  They want to try and keep as few hands from having to shuffle the info, pass it on, etc. in order to keep production cost as low as possible for the buyer.  So it sounds like when you hit “order,” it goes directly to the production department.  Unfortunately, since IT is busy with getting the new computer system online, this has delayed their time to work on getting this program up and running.

January we will see the Amsoil brake fluids released.  There will be two lines, both high performance, but one aimed more towards heavy racing applications.  They will be Dot 3 and Dot 4 fluids and we should get more detailed info on this closer to the release date.  Even some possibility of it being unofficially released later this month.

Those are the main products we are waiting on.  More is in the works, more oils, a new line of Gear Lubes, but not much has been given to me on what they will be or when.

We met some of the different Racers Amsoil is sponsoring and Boyd Coddington, his wife, and engine builder were all present giving a presentation on the build of their Bonneville Racer and insight on what’s coming up.  They plan to build another car for next year, and their show will be leaving TLC and will be aired on the Speed Channel.

Some of the Amsoil products used in this year’s car were the Amsoil 10W-40 High Performance oil, a custom made Ea Air Filter, Amsoil Antifreeze/Coolant, and Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-90 Gear Lube.

The other day Amsoil released another White Paper study where they put their Severe Gear 75W-90 Gear Lube up against 13 other popular brands including:

Castrol Syntec 75W-90
GM Synthetic Axle 75W-90
Lucas 75/90 Synthetic
Mobil 1 Synthetic 75W-90
Mopar Synthetic 75W-90 with Mopar LS additive
Pennzoil Synthetic 75W-90
Red Line Synthetic 75-90
Royal Purple Max-Gear 75W-90
Torco SGO Synthetic 75W-90 with Torco Type G LAS additive
Valvoline SynPower 75W-90
Castrol Hypoy C 80W-90
Pennzoil Gearplus 80W-90
Valvoline High Performance 80W-90

Of the 14 fluids (including Amsoil) 12 of them failed to meet the specs of at least one test performed.  The crazy thing is some of these fluids were already out of spec before any testing.  Lucas and Royal Purple exceeded the spec they were claiming to be before the Shear Stability Test, making them thicker than what was advertised.  After the test, Lucas had worn enough to now be within the spec, but Royal Purple failed again and was now too thin.  A bunch of other interesting results here and it is expected to shake up the entire Gear Lube market as people realize and see that the fluids they are using are not meeting the specs and demands that these manufacturers are claiming that they do meet.

I don’t have this posted on my Web Site yet, but you can DL the PDF file from it and read it at: http://www.technilube.com/brochures/g2457_gl_white_paper_0907.pdf. Some of the results here were performed in the Amsoil lab, others at an Independent lab, but the testing was nothing out of the ordinary, just standard ASTM tests that any lab in the world can recreate.

Motorcraft fluid wasn’t included because they were testing 75W-90 gear lubes, and all current Ford applications are using thicker fluid.  But based on this, you can guess what the results may be.  If you want, you can zip to the end and see how each scored and the number of tests each failed.  Have fun reading!

AMSOIL INC. of Superior, WI has announced the addition of 75W-110 Severe Gear Synthetic Gear Lube to its strong line of AMSOIL Severe Gear Extreme Pressure Synthetic Gear Lubes. AMSOIL Severe Gear Synthetic Gear Lubes feature an exclusive blend of high viscosity, shear stable synthetic base oils and an extra treatment of high-performance additives. They are engineered to protect gears better than conventional gear oils, resisting acid, carbon and varnish formation and oxidative breakdown.

The new viscosity gear lube grade that fills the gap between the 75W-90 and 75W-140 viscosity gear lubes that most people are accustomed to using. Many used the 75W-140 to obtain extra film protection beyond what the 75W-90 viscosity grade offered for their differentials, but found that they sacrificed fuel economy by doing so. This new viscosity grade, 75W-110, offers a high temperature film protection beyond what a 75W-90 offers, without compromising fuel economy. This new mid-range viscosity grade for gear lubes addresses performance, protection and fuel economy.

Because today’s vehicles have seen tremendous gains in both horsepower and towing limits, greater stress is placed on differentials and drivetrain components. In fact, horsepower has increased by as much as 93 percent in turbo diesel trucks, and vehicle towing limits have increased from 7,500 to 18,000 lbs in recent years.

For this reason, AMSOIL 75W-110 Severe Gear Synthetic Gear Lube is designed to provide superior protection for elevated operating temperatures without sacrificing fuel efficiency. It is formulated for use with limited slip clutches and is ideal for turbo diesel pickup trucks, vehicles used for towing and hauling and other vehicles subject to severe service operating conditions, including heavy equipment, construction vehicles, emergency vehicles, street rods and 4×4 vehicles.

AMSOIL 75W-110 Severe Gear Synthetic Gear Lube is a premium grade lubricant specifically engineered for maximum performance in severe duty applications. AMSOIL 75W-110 Severe Gear delivers unsurpassed fuel efficiency and cold temperature performance.

There is much to be done before leaving for a vacation, not the least of which is proper vehicle maintenance. Most people are aware of the importance of changing their motor oil, but many people overlook the importance of changing the automatic transmission fluid and gear lube. Proper engine and drivetrain maintenance are equally important. After all, if the drivetrain fails, it doesn’t matter how well the engine has been maintained. Nothing ruins a vacation quicker than becoming stranded in a remote area due to neglecting proper fluid maintenance.

Although many motorists consider their everyday driving habits to be normal, this is not always the case. In addition, some vehicles are subjected to extreme operating conditions such as snow plowing, hauling heavy loads and towing heavy trailers. These extremes put more stress on drivetrain components than just driving back and forth to work. New vehicles such as turbo diesel trucks and vehicles with V-10 engines boast more horsepower and torque than their predecessors, but differential designs have remained virtually unchanged. Differentials today are subjected to severe duty service and encounter more stress and heat than was seen only a few years ago. Modern gear oils are faced with the challenge of providing adequate wear protection during severe service operating conditions, while also providing maximum fuel efficiency.

Many people overstress their vehicles while on vacation. It is not uncommon to see vacationing families driving around in overloaded vehicles. The roof rack is filled with equipment, the back seat is filled with bags and the suspension is bottomed out. Some vehicles also pull trailers or fifth-wheels with boats, and some of these vehicles exceed their rated towing limits. As vehicle stress increases, transmission and differential temperatures rise and cause conventional lubricants to thin, causing inadequate lubrication that can lead to component failure.

Some vehicle manufacturers require the factory-fill differential gear lube to be changed within the first 3000 miles, or the first 500 miles if towing, a fact not known by many consumers. Because differentials go through a breakin period and are not equipped with filters like transmissions and engines, the gear lube must be changed in order to drain the break-in wear particles. These particles, if left in the differential, mesh between the gears and cause gear or bearing wear or failure. Recent studies show that most differential wear occurs in the first 5,000 miles.

AMSOIL Synthetic Universal Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) and SEVERE GEAR™ 75W-90 and 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Lubes (SVG & SVO) provide maximum protection in demanding environments such as towing, hauling and commercial use, providing increased lubricant film protection and reduced wear at elevated temperatures. Synthetic ATF and SEVERE GEAR™ Synthetic Gear Lubes are formulated for extended drain intervals of up to 50,000 miles in severe service and 100,000 miles in normal service, or longer where specified by the vehicle manufacturer.

Thought I’d give a quick 2 year recap on all the new products Amsoil now has. The company has continued to grow rapidly and is moving into a larger facility which should be fully operational by 2008. There are plans to open more warehouses throughout the country, and even the local one here in Orlando is looking for larger space already, and they just moved into this one a few years ago.

The Marine Bypass filter I mentioned in my last post was released soon after. For those using any of the Amsoil foam air filters, like the Power Sports Air Filters, they released a new filter oil.

In Sept. of 04 Amsoil replaced their Series 2000 Gear Lubes with a newer formula which is now called Severe Gear. With the smaller rear ends cars are getting and the less airflow under them, they developed this to handle the hotter conditions. It comes in a 75W-90 and 75W-140. Their regular line of Gear Lubes was done away with with most applications now using the Severe Gear. For over the road trucks they developed the 75W-90 and 75W-140 Long Life Gear Lubes. This is more for Heavy Duty applications. They did keep their 80W-90 Gear Lube since there still is a demand from some customers for this viscocity.

Amsoil’s relationship with Donaldson Filters continued to grow and we are now able to sell their Endurance Air and Oil Filters for Heavy Duty applications. These filters were developed after the U.S. gov’t approached Donaldson asking for better filtration for the M1 tanks to protect them from the fine dust they encountered during the first Gulf War. Donaldson developed nano-fiber technology. These filters add a very fine spider web-like material to the larger commonly used fibers to increase filtration, but not restrict airflow:

Nano-fiber material

Beginning of January 05 brought a reformulation of the Amsoil Propylene Glycol Antifreeze. Because of the costs to produce this fluid, the prices can fluctuate, but it has become more stable, other than all the overall price changes that have been occuring over the past two years for all companies.

March 05 Amsoil added and changed a lot. They released a new Universal Synthetic Marine Gear Lube meeting SAE 75W-90/80W-90. They also released a new Foam Filter Cleaner as well as increasing their line of Power Sports Air Filters. During this period, Mobil 1 released their new line of Extended Drain oils. Amsoil welcomes this competition because it only confirms what Amsoil has said all along: create a better oil, and it will last longer. However Mobil 1 doesn’t warranty their 15,000 mile drain interval for new vehicles, to avoid any manufacturer issues. Amsoil will and still for 25,000 miles or one year. Don’t get fooled with Mobil’s ads claiming they are “changing oil” or claiming to be the first to offer extended drains, Amsoil has done it since day one.

April 2005 Amsoil put out their new line of Motorcycle Oils (10W-40 and 20W-50). This formula is the most advanced formula on the market and is getting even more wide recognition than their previous formula. Amsoil also paid an Independent Lab (Southwest Research Institute) to test these new oils to many other motorcycle oils, including Bel-Ray EXS, Castrol GPS, Golden Spectro 4, Mobil 1 V-Twin, Royal Purple Max-Cycle, HD Screamin’ Eagle Syn3, etc.

Last summer two new Manual Transmission fluids were released: Synthetic Manual Transmission and Transaxle Gear Lube 75W-90 API GL-4, and Synthetic Syncromesh Transmission Fluid 5W-30. One is aimed more to GL-4 applications, the other to syncromesh users. I’d be curious to hear feedback if anyone has used these in a DSM application yet.

Also released were two new Marine dedicated oil, especially designed for four stroke outboard engines. These come in a 10W-30 and 10W-40 viscocity.

A filter upgrade kit produced by Donaldson under the Amsoil name is now available for the Ford 7.3 Power Stroke diesel upgrading the setup to a Power Core Filter.

The fall of last year saw the introduction to a whole new way to look at filtration with the new line of Ea Air and Oil Filters. Ea stands for “Absolute Efficiency.” These filters use the nano-fiber technology mentioned above with the Donaldson filters. Since Donaldson works primarily with Heavy Duty applications, Amsoil has been licensed the rights to use this advanced technology in smaller applications, like light duty trucks and automotive. The oil filter filters out 97.8% of ALL particles down to 15 microns, and a good percentage below that. This is an “absolute” rating adopted from the hydraulic filter industry. Most filters on the market that advertise a certain micron size are showing a “nominal” rating, which means it only catches SOME of the particle down to that size, but their “absolute” rating is much higher. The oil filters are now also rated for 25,000 miles or one year in most vehicles, to go along with the standard oil drain interval Amsoil has always offered. The Ea Air Filter are reusable and rated for 4 years or 100,000 miles, but they are a dry filter. No messing reoiling. Simply every 25K take a shop vac to them and drop them back in. They flow just as well as your performance gauze filter like a K&N, but will filter out 50x the dust.

At the beginning of the year, Amsoil’s 5W-40 European Formula was reformulated and meets many of the newer European ratings, including the VW 505.01 rating that the VW TDI has used for many years and only Castrol and Motul have held and sold for a high price.

Amsoil also became the first company in the world to develop and release a synthetic media cartridge oil filter. This new Ea Filter is for the Ford 6.0 Power Stroke diesel and also uses nano-fiber media.

Amsoil’s relationship with Hastings ended in December and in January we became associated with Wix Filters. If it isn’t in the Amsoil line of filters, I can get the Wix equivalent. This also includes their Racing Filters.

This past spring the bypass filters were converted over and now are part of the Ea lineup.

In May Amsoil released a Fogging Oil to be used for storing and protection of engines. Even bigger was the release of the new Ea Induction Filters. These filters are universal and are now available in various sizes to replace the aftermarket filters such and K&N, Injen, TrueFlow, etc. These use nano-fiber technology and look great:

Ea Induction Filters

Last month the Ea technology became part of the Motorcycle Oil Filters and also released were new Motorcycle Air Filters that fit most V-Twin applications. Also something long waited for.

Most recently products that became available to us were Donaldson TopSpin Filters that are pre-cleaner air filters for Heavy Duty applications, and Wix AquaChek Filters to eliminate moisture passage to tools and equipment.

So as you can see, a lot has happened. If anyone has any questions, feel free to email me.