AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants Proven in Las Vegas Taxi Fleet Field Trial

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With modern vehicles producing increased heat, the ability of lubricants to protect against sludge and deposit formation is becoming more important. Motor oils and transmission fluids must demonstrate increased thermal stability throughout longer drain intervals for components to last as designed.

AMSOIL synthetic lubricants are formulated with reserve protection to withstand heat and its negative effects. To demonstrate it, AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil and Signature Series Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid were put to the test in taxi cabs operating in the searing desert heat of Las Vegas, Nev.

Taxi Fleet

Taxis are notoriously hard on lubricants due to excessive idling and constant stop and go driving loaded with passengers and cargo. Las Vegas summer temperatures added to the challenge, topping 100ºF during this field study.

Six vehicles operated with AMSOIL synthetic lubricants for 18 months. The vehicle selected for further analysis – a 2010 Dodge Charger equipped with a 2.7L V6 engine and 4-speed automatic transmission – accumulated 7,033 hours (102,582 miles) prior to the engine and transmission disassembly. Given the unusually high amount of idle time, maintenance intervals were determined in hours rather than miles. Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil (ASM), changed every 900 hours or approximately 15,000 miles, was used in the Charger’s engine, while the transmission used Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF), which was not changed during the study.

The Charger operated throughout Las Vegas up to 24 consecutive hours each day, with the engine shut down only during refueling and personnel changes. Average speed was 14.6 mph, while the EPA indicates the average speed for city driving is 21.2 mph, illustrating the excessive amount of idle time and stop and go driving.

Results

Transmission components prone to the effects of lubricant failure, including the valve body and clutch plates, revealed virtually no sludge and little wear after operating 7,033 hours (102,582 miles) on a single fluid change. Although the Charger carried a recommended transmission fluid change interval of 60,000 miles in severe service, Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF continued providing superior protection well beyond the severe-service recommendation, confirming its ability to provide reserve protection.

Engine components susceptible to the formation of harmful sludge, including the oil pan, oil pickup tube and cylinder heads, revealed virtually no sludge, earning high ratings from an independent calibrated rater. Results prove the ability of Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil to safely extend drain intervals in severe service. Complete results are available in the Las Vegas Taxi Fleet Field Study (G3118) available from AMSOIL Inc.

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Following over 100,000 miles of severe service, the transmission case and cylinder
head contained virtually no sludge, confirming the superior heat resistance of
Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil and Signature Series Synthetic ATF.

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