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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 Series 3000 Synthetic 5W-30 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil
for the engines, AMSOIL Series 2000 Synthetic 20W-50 Racing Oil for the
transmissions and AMSOIL Series 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.
That's a savings of
$188,881! That money could buy a year's worth of AMSOIL
synthetic lubricants for the fleet plus a year's fuel for 3 to 6 trucks -
with cash left over!
CUMMINS M-11 ENGINE Sump
capacity: 9 gallons
| With oil changes at
120,000-mile intervals |
| 900 gal AMSOIL Series 3000
Synthetic 5W-30 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil |
| ($18.35/gal in
275-gal totes or 55-gal drums) |
$16,515 |
| With oil changes at
60,000-mile intervals |
| 1800 gal @
$18.35/gal |
$33,030 |
| With oil changes at
40,000-mile intervals |
| 2700 gal @
$18.35/gal |
$49,545 |
| With oil changes at
20,000-mile intervals |
| 5400 gal @
$18.35/gal |
$99,090 |
FULLER RTXF-14710B
TRANSMISSION Sump: 25.5 pints (3.2 gal) One fluid fill
| 320 gal Series 2000 20W-50
Synthetic Racing Oil |
| ($18.35/gal in
275-gal totes or 55-gal drums) |
$5,872 |
EATON MODEL DS 404 DRIVE
AXLES Sump: 63 pints (7.9 gal) One fluid fill
| 790 gal Series 2000 75W-90
Synthetic Gear Lube |
| ($19.80/gal in
275-gal totes or 55-gal drums) |
$15,642 |
| TOTAL
LUBE COSTS |
|
| At 20,000-mile oil drain
intervals |
$120,604 |
| At 40,000-mile oil drain
intervals |
$71,059 |
| At 60,000-mile oil drain
intervals |
$54,544 |
| At 120,000-mile oil
drain intervals |
$38,029 |
After deducting the annual AMSOIL lube cost
from $188,881, the fleet still has between $68,277 and $150,852 - enough
to buy a year's worth of fuel for 3 to 6 trucks - with cash left
over!
Extended Drains Save You Even
More!
See for
yourself! A Virginia owner-operator used AMSOIL Synthetic
15W-40 Motor Oil for 409,000 miles without an oil drain! His engine
was as wear-free as engines in comparable service treated to TWENTY
TIMES the oil changes, according to the findings of a certified,
independent engine rater.
Extend your drain intervals! Oil Analyzers Inc.
offers the state-of-the-art oil analysis essential to any program of
extended oil drain intervals. Kit price includes sampling kit and
testing.
AMSOIL Oil Analysis Pricing AMSOIL oil analysis
sample kits include sample-gathering materials and
testing. |
| Sample Kits with complete analysis and two-way postage
paid |
|
UNITED
STATES |
CANADA |
| Stock # |
Description |
Sugg. Ret. Cost
|
Stock # |
Description |
Sugg. Ret. Cost
|
| G-1451 |
(1) sampling kit |
$24.95 |
G-1451 |
(1) sampling kit |
not available |
| G-1454 |
(50) sampling kits |
$1247.50 |
G-1454 |
(50) sampling kits |
not available |
| G-1455 |
(100) sampling kits |
$2495.00 |
G-1455 |
(100) sampling kits |
not available |
| Sample Kits with complete analysis (not postage
paid) |
|
UNITED
STATES |
CANADA |
| Stock # |
Description |
Sugg. Ret. Cost
|
Stock # |
Description |
Sugg. Ret. Cost
|
| G-1318 |
(1) sampling kit |
$19.95 |
G-1318 |
(1) sampling kit |
$32.00 |
| G-1321 |
(50) sampling kits |
$997.50 |
G-1321 |
(50) sampling kits |
$1600.00 |
| G-1322 |
(100) sampling kits |
$1995.00 |
G-1322 |
(100) sampling kits |
$3200.00 |
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