Product Information

This page is to touch on each of the products/groups to give you a jump start on the important points to know to help in your discussions with customers.  Some points made are very good selling points.  It took me a long while to gather this information and it would have served me well to know this early on.  I apologize for those of you who have  been with me a while.  I meant to get this rolling a long time ago.  I hope it helps you in some way.  This is a work in progress but wanted to post as I finished each section.  I will send emails as new parts are posted.

Heath

The quick “ins and outs” of the different oils AMSOIL offers

SSO(0W-30)  - This is the premium motor oil they offer.  It has the most robust additive package of the oils.  It’s TBN(total base number) is over 13 whereas the others are around 12.  It carries a 35000/17500 or one year interval, the others are 25000/15000 or one year.  It does cost the most as well.

ASM(0W-20), ASL(5W-30) and ATM(10W-30)    All 3 carry the 25k/15k or one year interval.  These are the most popular motor oils used

XL series oils.  These oils were created to compete in the “quick lube” market.  This product line is made with group 3 basestocks.  ( All other AMSOIL products are made with group 4 and 5 basestocks..ie. 100% full synthetic)  Group 3 is actually highly refined petroleum oil.  Many competitors on the market today use these same basestocks in their synthetic as they are cheaper to produce.  Our XL products run a 1.50 less than our full syns.  AMSOIL wanted a product that could compete with other products out there for price.  Since it only carries a 7500mile/6 month interval, it is marketable to these areas.  The XL line also the only products, besides PCO, that is API “certified”.  All other product are API qualified.  They all meet the specs, it just a matter of if you pay the large amount of money to have a product certified.  A certified product can also NOT be manipulated or have it’s formula changes without getting recertified.  AMSOIL is known to upgrade or improve products and it would be a big expense to have them certified each time.  Certification does not affect warranty.

AMO(10W-40) and ARO(20W-50)  These products are suited for the older generation vehicles and hot rods.  They still have the high amounts of ZDDP, a source of zinc, which is an anti-wear additive.  Many flat tappet cam applications need these high levels to prevent premature failure.  Today’s modern engine does not use flat tappet and therefore don’t need those levels.   Today’s specs on oils don’t allow those levels anymore.  This came with the new API SM designation.  Other oils with high zinc levels are AME, HDD, and the RD series.  These two oils are also wet clutch compatible(no friction modifiers), so they can be used in atv, motorcycles, etc with clutches that share a common sump.

RD series – The racing oils.  High zinc levels and premier additive packages. 

AHR(SAE 60) – This has limited applications.  Some drag racers use it.  The older Harley bikes..panheads, flatheads, called for a 60 weight oil.  It is also wet clutch commpatible.

to be continued