AMSOIL Signature Series

Signature Series: Maintains Protective Viscosity

The main bearings in your vehicle rely on an oil film thinner than a sheet of paper. When motor oil loses viscosity due to a process called shear, it can fail to provide the required level of wear protection.

Shear (often called mechanical shear) occurs when one layer of oil moves in the opposite direction of another layer of the same oil. This often occurs between the piston and cylinder wall. These two oil films move in opposite directions under intense heat and pressure.

AMSOIL synthetic motor oil features naturally shear-resistant base oils combined with top-tier viscosity improvers to withstand extreme heat and shearing forces. In fact, Signature Series fights viscosity breakdown better than the competition*, providing superior protection of pistons, cams and bearings.

Signature Series stands up to the potentially devastating effects of viscosity breakdown and provides maximum engine protection.

*Based on independent testing of AMSOIL Signature Series, Schaeffer’s Supreme 9000 Full Synthetic, Lucas Synthetic, Valvoline Conventional Daily Protection, Mobil 1 Annual Protection and Pennzoil 5W-30 in the Kurt OrbahnTest. Oils purchased on 5/3/18.

For product information on AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil.

Understanding European Motor Oil Standards

European Motor Oil Specifications Explained

It’s important to use the right motor oil for your European vehicle, but the sea of specifications can make it a challenge. AMSOIL European Car Formula finds the sweet spot of emission compatibility and complete engine protection for every application.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) establishes lubricant standards for Europe, similar to the American Petroleum Institute (API) in the United States. ACEA recognizes that European engines differ from U.S. engines in both design and operating conditions. European OEMs often maintain their own motor oil performance specifications and play a larger role in their development than their U.S. counterparts. Volkswagen* drivers, for example, must use an oil that meets the requirements of VW’s own performance specs. The same holds for Mercedes*, BMW*, Porsche* and other European vehicles. 

Many European vehicles available in North America today feature gasoline and diesel engines with emissions systems that are highly sensitive to the SAPS content of motor oil. These advanced emissions systems require lower SAPS formulations to properly function for a long period of time. The required formulations match the exacting engine oil specifications of ACEA and European OEMs to ensure they are compatible with current emissions systems while still providing engine protection.

EUROPEAN CAR FORMULA SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL

• Engineered to meet or exceed European MANUFACTURERS.SPECIlCATIONS
• Balanced formulations that consider the needs of modern exhaust treatment devices
• Excellent protection for gasoline and diesel engines
• Fights sludge for superior engine cleanliness

*All trademarked names and images are the property of their respective owners and may be registered marks in some countries.No affiliation endorsement claim, express or implied, is made by their use. All products advertised here are developed by AMSOIL for use in the applications shown.

Cold-Temperature Performance is not Just Reserved for Sub-Zero Conditions

Startup lubrication is directly affected by a lubricant's cold-flow ability, and the impact is felt at higher temperatures than most consumers realize. An oil’s cold-temperature performance refers to its ability to flow when the engine is cold, or below typical operating temperature (212°F), and not simply to what feels cold to humans – even some summer days can be cold to an engine.

Pour point has been defined as the lowest temperature at which a motor oil will continue to flow under prescribed conditions. ASTM D97 spells out the standardized procedure for determining an oil’s pour point. After heating it to 45°C (113°F) the sample is slowly cooled and tilted sideways every time the temperature drops 3°C (5°F). When the oil stops flowing it has reached the pour point.

AMSOIL synthetic motor oils have lower pour points and better cold-cranking capabilities than petroleum-based products. Long after petroleum oils have solidified, AMSOIL synthetic motor oils continue to flow.

The problems with cold weather go beyond this, however. Motor oils really need to be heated well above the pour point to achieve the desired pumping viscosity. Even at just below freezing (32°F), motor oil can become difficult to pump into the engine. It sits in the pan while the friction from moving parts heats the engine and conducts this heat down into the pan. As you can imagine, this lack of oil in an engine with fast moving parts has consequences. Cold-weather start-ups are a leading cause of engine wear.

AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils

Understanding European & German Car Motor Oil Specifications or Requirements

What does "SAPS" stand for and what is the significance for German and European auto warranty requirements? If you own one of these higher performing autos you might find this very interesting.

 In this modern era of increasing differentiation it is important to understand why AMSOIL carries three different European oils. And why are two of them 5W-40? What’s the difference?

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) helps establish motor oil standards in the European market. ACEA recognizes that European engines differ from U.S. engines in both design and operating conditions. As a result, the demands on motor oil are different as well.

The differentiator between various makes and models of European cars has to do with the acceptable levels of sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulfur (SAPS) in the motor oil.

Sulfated ash is the by-product of metallic compounds as they are burned. It can improve an oil’s antioxidancy, anti-wear properties, Total Base Number (TBN), corrosion resistance, engine cleanliness properties and soot-handling ability.

Click for larger image

Phosphorus is present in motor oil for its antioxidant properties.

Sulfur provides antioxidancy, anti-wear and engine cleanliness properties.

SAPS makes up a significant portion of a motor oil’s additive content. Some emissions systems and aftertreatment devices, such as diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and catalysts, are sensitive to the SAPS content of oil and require lower-SAPS formulations to properly function for a long period of time.

So, how does an owner know which oil to use in their car? Check your owner's manual and use the chart below to match the correct oil with the proper specification your auto manufacturer listed in the owner's manual.

AMSOIL EFM 5W-40 Full SAPS	AMSOIL AFL 5W-40 Mid SAPS	AMSOIL AEL 5W-30  Low SAPS
ACEA A3/B3, A3/B4 API SN/SM... BMW LL-01 Mercedes Benz 229.5/229.3 Porsche A40 Renault 0710/0700 VW 502.00/505.00	ACEA C3 API SN/SM... BMW LL-04 GM dexos2 Mercedes Benz 229.51/229.31 Porsche A40 VW 502.00/505.01	BMW LL-04 Mercedes Benz 229.51 Porsche C30 VW 504.00/507.00