Turbochargers Create Conditions Best Suited for Synthetic Motor Oil

Turbochargers Create Conditions Best Suited for Synthetic Motor Oil

The industry trend toward smaller engines that deliver increased power and fuel efficiency has been well documented. The AMSOIL Newsstand contains several articles about the key technologies that enable today’s advanced engines – turbochargers, gasoline direct injection (GDI) and variable valve timing (VVT). These articles have mainly addressed how these technologies affect motor oil.

In short, they’re brutal on oil. It’s one of the reasons more automakers are installing synthetics at the factory.

Fuel dilution can be a problem

To summarize, GDI technology locates the fuel injectors directly in the cylinder (hence the name), as opposed to the manifold. This arrangement allows for greater control over injection, allowing engineers to fine-tune engines for greater efficiency and power. A side-effect of this process, however, is fuel contaminating the oil. As fuel is sprayed into the combustion chamber, it can wash past the rings and down the cylinder walls, into the oil sump. Ford* has seen the issue frequently enough to release a technical service bulletin (14-0040) titled “Fuel Odor From Engine Oil and/or Engine Oil Level Overfull” to address F-150 trucks equipped with the 3.5L Ecoboost* engine. Fuel dilution varies by engine type and driving conditions, with some vehicles showing no issues.

There are two main side-effects of fuel in the oil. First, fuel thins the oil, sometimes reducing the viscosity below the specified grade. If not accounted for in the design of the engine, this can affect wear rates and have an effect on systems that use the oil to function, like VVT.

Second, significant fuel contamination increases the rate of oil degradation. For these reasons, oil analysis labs typically condemn oil samples when the fuel content is greater than 5 percent.

Low-quality oils no match for turbos

Many GDI engines are turbocharged (TGDI). Turbos push more air into the combustion chamber, and tuning for efficiency can improve fuel economy, especially when combined with other technologies, such as direct injection. Operating at up to 150,000 rpm on exhaust gases that can exceed 1,000°F, turbos create extreme conditions that can cause low-quality oils to quickly break down, creating deposits and shortening the life of the oil. By 2020, industry experts predict nearly every new vehicle sold will come equipped with GDI technology, and the vast majority will be turbocharged.

Many motorists – and even more in the future – probably see only the tremendous benefits of improved power and fuel economy from their TGDI vehicles. Most don’t realize the toll modern engines take on motor oil.

Like most vehicle manufacturers, AMSOIL has long recommended different service intervals based on “normal” or “severe” driving conditions. Turbocharged vehicles are automatically included in the severe service category due to the extreme heat they generate. To ensure customers have the information they need to properly maintain their vehicles, a notice will soon be added to the AMSOIL Product Guides at www.amsoil.com that reminds owners of turbocharged vehicles to follow the severe-service recommendation. That means customers using Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil in TGDI engines can extend drain intervals up to 15,000 miles/700 hours/12 months, whichever comes first, and should only extend oil changes beyond that with the guidance of oil analysis.

AMSOIL synthetic motor oil delivers superior protection

As proven in numerous tests, AMSOIL synthetic motor oils deliver outstanding protection for these challenging engines. For example, the TEOST Test determines an oil’s tendency to form deposits at high temperatures and is a good indicator of turbocharger protection. In the test, Signature Series 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil minimized deposits and easily surpassed API SN requirements. In the extreme heat of the Sequence IIIG Test, Signature Series scored 86 percent better for piston deposits than required by API SN, even after doubling the length of the test.

As modern engines become more advanced and tougher on oil, AMSOIL is committed to formulating synthetic lubricants that help you get the most out of your vehicle.

The Latest Upgrades for ATVs/UTVs

The Latest Upgrades for ATVs/UTVs

AMSOIL synthetic ATV/UTV lubricants provide hard-working and performance ATVs and UTVs upgraded performance and protection.

ATV and UTV owners invest thousands of dollars in their machines and accessories to improve utility and performance. Owners, particularly UTV owners, often purchase expensive upgrades, including roof panels, doors, winches, skid plates and snow plows. These upgrades are done to improve UTV utility and safety and maximize ATV performance, but increased weight and severity of service are side effects directly affecting lubricants.

Severe Service Challenges

Severe service and aggressive riding pose challenges. Elevated heat can break down oil, leading to harmful deposits and placing the engine at risk of extreme wear, while increasing the likelihood that heavily loaded, high-torque gears and bearings will fail. In addition, while accessories increase performance and versatility, the added weight and the propensity of these machines to be used for towing or hauling increase harmful heat and stress on gears and bearings. The negative effects of severe-service riding increase the importance of high-quality lubricants for increased protection.

What Riders Need

AMSOIL synthetic ATV/UTV lubricants provide another performance upgrade that helps owners safely and confidently push their machines to the limit. After spending thousands of dollars on a new UTV or ATV and equipping it with expensive upgrades, it makes sense to upgrade to AMSOIL performance.

AMSOIL 10W-40 Synthetic ATV/UTV Motor Oil

• Delivers reserve protection against heat

• Helps prevent varnish and sludge

• Delivers consistent clutch feel

AMSOIL 5W-50 Synthetic ATV/UTV Motor Oil

• Delivers reserve protection against heat

• Helps prevent varnish and sludge

• Delivers excellent all-weather performance

AMSOIL Synthetic ATV/UTV Transmission & Differential Fluid

• Delivers reserve protection against heat

• Helps prevent varnish and sludge

• Boasts outstanding shear stability and resists extreme pressures

AMSOIL Synthetic ATV/UTV Front Drive Fluid

• Delivers reserve protection against heat

• Helps prevent varnish and sludge

• Boasts outstanding shear stability and resists extreme pressures

Today’s Specialized Sleds Demand Specialized Oil. Is Your Oil Up to the Challenge?

Today’s Specialized Sleds Demand Specialized Oil.

Is Your Oil Up to the Challenge?

It’s a great time to be a snowmobiler. Modern sleds deliver power, performance and efficiency unthought of a few years ago. And with each new model year, sled manufacturers seem to push the limits of performance even further, allowing you to ride faster and push your sled harder, while using less gas and oil and producing fewer emissions.

Although greater performance translates into ear-to-ear grins on the trail, it can be brutal on motor oil.

The Ski-Doo* Rotax* E-TEC* and Arctic Cat* C-TEC2* engines offer perfect examples. The E-TEC incorporates electronic equipment that can adjust the amount of oil the engine uses depending on operating conditions. As a result, the engine produces fewer exhaust emissions – and more severe operating conditions.

Similarly, Arctic Cat’s C-TEC2 engine features dual-stage injection, where fuel is injected directly into the boost port side of the cylinder at low rpm and also into the crankcase area at high rpm. Like the E-TEC, it uses less oil than previous engines. In one Arctic Cat promotional video, riders are told to expect fuel-to-oil ratios in the range of 65:1, depending on riding conditions. The result, according to Arctic Cat, is improved performance, fuel-economy and emissions. 

Getting the most out of your sled requires using an oil proven to stand up to the punishment doled out by modern engines. Two-stroke oils should focus on three areas of performance:

Piston protection

Exhaust power valve cleanliness

Cold-flow properties

The intense heat and friction inside today’s snowmobile engines can overwhelm inferior oils, leading to scuffing and wear. Excellent lubricity — a term that refers to the oil’s ability to reduce friction — is essential for maximum wear protection. After 50 hours of intense dyno testing in a Rotax E-TEC 800R engine — enough time to replicate and entire riding season — AMSOIL INTERCEPTOR® Synthetic 2-Stroke Oil completely prevented piston scuffing.

High heat and increased power can also cause deposit formation on exhaust power valves, which can lead to sticking and reduced performance. Oils with outstanding cleanliness properties are key to maximum power valve performance. In the same 50-hour dyno test, INTERCEPTOR completely prevented exhaust power valve sticking. For full testing results, visit http://www.amsoil.com/proof.

In the area of cold-flow ability, INTERCEPTOR also performs. Today’s snowmobile engines direct less oil to critical components, through narrower passages, for longer distances. Oils that don’t remain fluid in sub-zero cold can fail to reach components at startup, promoting wear. With a pour point of -72°F, INTERCEPTOR remains fluid in extreme cold to ensure oil reaches critical components, keeping your engine protected.

While snowmobile manufacturers may be experts at building sleds, no one can match AMSOIL expertise and experience when it comes to formulating synthetic two-stroke oils. Plus, AMSOIL synthetic snowmobile oils are Warranty Secure™, keeping your factory warranty intact. They’re outstanding choices whether you ride a Polaris*, Ski-Doo, Arctic Cat, Yamaha* or other brand of sled.

What is Cetane?

What is Cetane?

Cetane numbers are used to indicate the combustion speed of diesel fuel. Diesel fuels with higher cetane ratings have shorter ignition delays, providing more complete combustion and allowing engines to operate more effectively.

Although diesel engines operate best on fuel with a cetane value of 50 or higher, most diesel fuel sold in North America has a cetane value of between 40-45. AMSOIL Diesel Cetane Boost effectively raises the cetane number of diesel fuel up to seven points, improving its ignition quality and leading to better engine performance.

Delivers maximum horsepower

Increases fuel economy

Improves startability

Smooths idle

Reduces smoke and emissions

Preferred Customer Keeps Trailblazer on the Road with AMSOIL Products

Preferred Customer Keeps Trailblazer on the Road with AMSOIL Products

Preferred Customer Brett Carlile of Moreno Valley, Calif. said his 2002 Chevy* TrailBlazer* has been dependable as the family’s “truckster” since he purchased it slightly used in 2003.

Shortly after he purchased the TrailBlazer, he started experiencing overheating issues. “I realized I needed the best motor oil available to protect the engine from the damage of ‘excessive heat,’” Carlile said. He researched online and read about AMSOIL synthetic motor oils. “The testimonials and test comparisons to other brands were especially helpful,” he said.

Carlile ordered AMSOIL Signature Series 10W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil (ATM) for the Chevy. “Immediately after receiving my first order I changed the oil and realized a 2 mpg increase in fuel economy,” Carlile said. He became a Preferred Customer when he placed his second order.

He eventually learned the overheating problem was with the variable speed viscous fan clutch. “Two years into ownership I received a letter from Chevrolet extending the engine block warranty,” Carlile said. “This engine has an aluminum block with sleeved cylinders, and the cylinder sleeves were cracking.”

“Here we are many years later and the old girl is running like a top.” - Brett Carlile, Moreno Valley, California

Carlile said he didn’t worry about the engine because he was confidently using AMSOIL synthetic motor oil. “I am a firm believer in the AMSOIL product line and install it in all of my vehicles and small equipment,” Carlile said.

Still Running — This Chevy TrailBlazer is still dependable for the Carlile family with more than 200,000 miles on the engine.

Through the years, the family has made countless trips to Arizona and one trip to Canada. In fact, the old truck is still used regularly as a daily commuter. “Here we are many years later and the old girl is running like a top,” Carlile said. “Annual oil analysis reports she is doing fine.”

He also uses AMSOIL Signature Series 10W-30 in his lawn mower and edger every year. “My lawn mower and edger are now 27 years old and have been on AMSOIL most of that time and are still going strong,” he said.

In addition to AMSOIL Signature Series 10W-30, Carlile also uses AMSOIL Signature Series Fuel-Efficient Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATL) in his 2003 Silverado* and AMSOIL Synthetic Manual Transmission and Transaxle Gear Lube (MTG), 75W-90 Long Life Synthetic Gear Lube (FGR) and Slip Lock® Differential Additive (ADA) in his 2005 Mazda* RX8*.