AMSOIL INC. and Jeff Foster Trucking Inc. completed a 250,000-mile demonstration comparing the fuel economy and protection of AMSOIL Series 3000 Synthetic 5W-30 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil to the fuel economy and protection of a conventional oil, Pennzoil Long Life 15W-40 Motor Oil.The trucks equipped with Series 3000 were also equipped with AMSOIL Dual Gard By-Pass Oil Filtration Systems. The oil in the Series 3000 equipped trucks was changed at 125,000 mile intervals. The Pennzoil motor oil and full flow oil filter in the control trucks were changed at 20,000 mile intervals.

“The AMSOIL demonstration went very, very well,” said fleet owner Jeff Foster. “We’ve always used AMSOIL in our pickups and small engines, and we’re always looking for ways to make operations more efficient. Series 3000 fits right in with our operations and goals.”

Fuel Economy

Demonstration data showed trucks equipped with AMSOIL Series 3000 Synthetic 5W-30 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil obtained a 3.065 percent fuel economy increase over the fuel economy of the trucks equipped with Pennzoil.

These results conform to the results of fuel economy testing performed for AMSOIL by an independent test facility (see 8.2% More MPG). Those earlier results showed up to a 3.42 percent fuel economy increase in trucks equipped with AMSOIL Series 3000 Synthetic 5W-30 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil as compared to trucks equipped with a conventional 15W-40 motor oil.

“In the trucking industry,” said Foster, “synthetic lubricants are commonly used in the drivetrain for fuel economy benefits. Yet, I found it hard to believe that changing the engine oil would help fuel economy. However, the data indicates about a three percent fuel economy increase, and we’ve certainly noticed a difference.”

Shop Savings

“Shop savings was our focus in the AMSOIL demonstration,” said Foster. “We looked at the oil and by-pass filter as a way to keep our shop size smaller. I knew the oil and filters would work as far as wear protection goes, and oil analysis shows everything is working perfectly.”

The AMSOIL-equipped trucks logged significantly less shop time than the control trucks, due to the significantly longer drain intervals used with the AMSOIL-equipped trucks. Yet, engine protection and oil viability remained uncompromised in the AMSOIL equipped trucks. Compared to the control oil, AMSOIL Series 3000 Synthetic 5W-30 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil retains higher TBN, maintains in-spec viscosity longer and better controls soot.

TBN retention, viscosity maintenance and soot control are essential to oil viability, corrosion inhibition, engine cleanliness and wear control. Wear metal analyses confirm low rates of engine wear with AMSOIL Series 3000 Synthetic 5W-30 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil in extended drain service.

“We now change the oil in the AMSOIL trucks once a year, or about every 125,000 miles. I would feel confident using the oil for even longer drain intervals,” said Foster. “After seeing what Series 3000 does for these trucks, I’ve had it installed in other trucks in the fleet. Series 3000 is a great product.”