How Multi-Viscosity Oil is rated & Viscosity Improvers and how Amsoil is the best: The main difference between motor oils is the number of viscosity improvers that must be added to achieve a multi-viscosity rating. The best way I can explain what a multi-viscosity oil rating is in a typical 5W-30 motor oil (we're assuming that the engines are running at their proper temperatures) is that when the engine is cool it is acting like a straight 5 weight oil, but when it warms up to running temperature it will not thin anymore than a straight 30 weight oil would. That's where the viscosity improvers come in to play. The negative effect of having to add these polymers to improve the viscosity ratings is that polymers can shear and burn forming deposits which can cause ring sticking, sludge, foaming and other problems. Why do you think when you change your oil with non-synthetic oil the seals tend to dry out once you get over 50,000 miles? Because sludge builds up around the rings and they no longer can be lubricated. Remember a lot of the sludge is burned on so it will not wash out with a regular oil change. Unfortunately the viscosity improvers are a good guy bad guy combo. That is why Amsoil Synthetic Motor Oils are an excellent choice, they don't need these viscosity improvers in their 10W-30 and 15W-40 motor oils. The Amsoil synthetic motor oils that use these polymers (remember Amsoil uses 100% synthetic polymers so their shear rating is extremely, I do mean extremely low) is the one's with the biggest differential from low to high like the Series 2000 0W-30 motor oil (now remember this is Amsoil's best motor oil for gasoline engines, it rates the highest in all the motor oil tests). So make sure you go with a synthetic oil for best performance even if it is not Amsoil even though Amsoil rates the best in individual tests like this one (opens in new window). Going with the best motor oil is just icing on the cake.

Viscosity Index is also an important thing to look for when choosing an oil. The number indicates the rate of change of the oils viscosity within a given temperature range. A high viscosity index means the oil changes viscosity over that temperature range very little. A low number indicates a wider range of viscosity change. That is why a high viscosity index number is preferable. For example as the temperature rises it will not become overly thin, or in reverse as the temperature cools (like sub-freezing temperatures) it will not become overly thick and not pour at all. It does not indicate however of how well an oil resists thermal break down. As you can see Amsoil has one of the highest viscosity indexes among all the motor oil companies.

Flash point is the temperature that when an oil starts to set off vapors and when you put a flame to it the vapors will ignite. It is obvious that a higher flash point is preferable. As test after tests show Amsoil has one of the highest rated flash points out their. That lets you now how little of their oil evaporates. Very, very rarely do you need to add oil during the year. That is why Amsoil was the first company that guaranteed their product for the one year oil change interval.

You can see how Amsoil stands up against Mobil 1 by the oil comparison tests shown here.

I always knew the benefits of using synthetic motor oil. When a friend told me about how he used Amsoil and he only had to change his oil once a year I thought he was crazy. Back then Amsoil only had their Super Duty Oil Filter so you still had to change the filter every six months but you could leave the oil in for a year. I figured I'd give it a shot. You know the good feeling your car has right after an oil change. That is because petroleum based oils tend to start breaking down around 2000 miles. So when you go in for your 3000 mile oil change you can really feel the difference with the brand new oil. With Amsoil, the good feeling of the oil change the car gets lasts throughout the whole year. I was pleasantly surprised. Well now since Amsoil has upgraded their oil filters to the knew nanofiber technology you now only have to change the oil and filter once a year. What a convenience. Also what is surprising is this is for both gasoline and diesel engines. To qualify for the one year interval with gasoline engines you would use the Series 2000 0W-30 or the Synthetic 5W-30 or 10W-30 motor oils. For diesel engines you would use the Series 3000 5W-30 or the Synthetic 15W-40 Heavy Duty Diesel and Marine Oil.

When you use the Amsoil Synthetic Transmission Fluid it will triple the manufacturers recommended service interval. As you can see even though the original cost may seem high it will save you money in the long run. They also carry the Torque Drive Automatic Transmission Fluid for the customers whose vehicles recommended it. Plus Amsoil has a full line of synthetic differential and transfer case fluids which also triple the manufacturers service interval.

Amsoil Independent Dealer: Becoming an Amsoil Independent Dealer has several promising benefits. The first one of course is it allows you to purchase all Amsoil synthetic motor oils and lubricants at wholesale prices. Some of you probably have friends or know individuals that are also interested in Amsoil products. This gives you four benefits right away:

1. You have the opportunity of selling Amsoil Products at retail prices where all the retail profits are paid directly to you. This can be done face to face or at Amsoil's online store or they can call Amsoil's toll free number and you tell them to give the operator your personal ZO number. If you decide to sell to your friends at your wholesale price you still get paid a 2 percent commission on all GV (gross volume) points accumulated.
2. The second benefit is that some of them might want to become an Independent Amsoil Dealer themselves. You will now earn commission on any products they purchase or sell themselves. Pretty simple way to get going. You can become an Amsoil Dealer any of these three ways. The first is to simply print out the application form here (for the United States and Puerto Rico) and mail it with your check to the address on the application. If you live in Canada please print out the Canadian application here. The second alternative is to fill out the online application and I will mail you out an application via snail-mail the next business day.
3. The third benefit is they will become an Amsoil Preferred Customer. Once people become preferred customers 25 percent continue to buy Amsoil Products and remain an Amsoil preferred customer for a lifetime. It shows you just how good these synthetic oils really are.
4. The fourth benefit is that knowing if you hang on to your vehicles for five years or more (like me) you will keep them running in tip top condition for a lifetime. Plus saving yourself money and time (remember now you only have to turn your car in for an oil change once a year instead of four times a year) to boot.

Amsoil Preferred Customer: One last note I'd like to mention before you (hopefully) browse the rest of my web site is on becoming an Amsoil preferred customer. Let's say you own a 2005 Ford Taurus. You need six quarts of oil (the retail price is $9.95 and the preferred customer price is $7.65 per quart) and an oil filter (in this case the EAO11 which has a list price of $15.95 and a preferred customer price of $12.15). The total comes out to be $75.65 list and $57.95 preferred customer. The cost of becoming a preferred customer runs you $10.00 every six months or $20.00 per year. Let's say you go with the six month plan. It will save you $7.70 and give you whole sale status for a full six months. Now let's say you pay retail and you say that's a lot for an oil change. Most quick lube places will change your oil for no more than $20.00 since you are providing your own oil. That would come out to $95.65. Divide that by four and it comes out to $23.91 an oil change. But think of the convenience that you only have to wait in line for an oil change only once a year instead of four times a year. Considering that a standard oil change is $20.00 to $25.00 you are spending no more money and have the good feeling you are using one hundred percent fully synthetic motor oil. If you were to pay for their synthetic oil changes four times a year that would run you roughly $200.00 per year for oil changes and you still wouldn't be using the best synthetic motor oil on the market as Amsoil clearly is.

An easy way to buy Amsoil Synthetic Motor Oil Products for your car is to visit the online product application guide to see what fits in your vehicle. Visit the preferred customer page to begin your preferred customer status (if you desire) and then the online store. Or call 1-800-956-5695 M-F CST and give customer referral number 1254295. All orders are dropped shipped right to your door and will generally be received within 2 to 3 business days from date of order. Or if there is an Amsoil Warehouse in your city you can pick it up right there. For a list of Amsoil warehouses click here (Opens in New Window). For an explanation on how to use the online product application guide please click here.

If you would like to receive a standard Amsoil catalog please fill out the form here. If you would like more product specific information (examples would be if it is for your motorcycle, watercraft, or car and truck please fill the form here.