ExxonMobil Follows AMSOIL into Extended Drain Market
motor oils technology has gradually progressed since the days of the earliest automobiles. In those days, standard motor oils drain intervals were between 500 and 1000 miles, and motorists had to switch viscosity grades with the changing of the seasons. The development of Oils filtration and additive technology in the 1930s allowed drain intervals to increase to 2000 and later 3000 miles, while the development of viscosity modifiers in the 1940s allowed the formulation of multi-grade Oil that could be used in both hot and cold temperatures.
When AMSOIL introduced the world’s first synthetic motor oils for internal combustion engines in 1972, it set all new standards for quality. Its premium synthetic base stocks were comprised of pure, uniform molecules not subject to the shortcomings of conventional motor oils, such as volatility and shear. Based on engine tests, drain intervals could be increased substantially, and AMSOIL recommended 25,000 mile/one year drain intervals. AMSOIL continues to be the leader in synthetic lubricant and extended drain technology, blending its Oil with top-of-the-line synthetic base stocks and premium additive packages that provide optimum protection and performance and extended drain intervals.
ExxonMobil recently announced a new line of motor oil recommended for extended drain intervals
It was only a matter of time before another company followed the path forged by AMSOIL over 30 years ago. Some motorists may recall that Mobil also followed AMSOIL into the synthetic motor oils business, introducing its synthetic motor Oils several years after AMSOIL. The technology for extended Oils drains is obviously available, but until now, the major Oils companies have had other agendas. Marc Graham, who is president of PennzOils-Quaker State-owned Jiffy Lube International, was quoted in a 2001 Lubricants World interview as saying, “At [PQS] we use a number internally that if we [shortened the drain interval] by 100 miles [for each car serviced], it would mean an additional $20 million in revenue for the company.” He also explained that “if we could move our customers to get one more Oils change per year, it’s worth $294 million for the Oils change alone and $441 million in revenue, when you include the ancillary products and services customers typically buy along with the Oils change.”
Mobil backed off 25,000 mile Oils change intervals in 1974.
Mobil briefly recommended 25,000 mile Oils drains in the 1970’s. It’s not difficult to figure out who they were trying to compete with. AMSOIL was the only other company offering synthetic motor oil and recommended 25,000 mile drain intervals. However, it may be that because vehicle manufacturers weren’t yet comfortable with extended drain intervals, Mobil retracted its extended drain recommendations and simply recommended motorists follow the intervals specified in their vehicle’s owners manual. Of course, traditional Oils change recommendations also allow Mobil and other motor oils companies to sell a lot more Oils. Everyone wins but the customer.
AMSOIL stands apart from the competition.
AMSOIL has always formulated its products to be the absolute best, continually researching ways to make its already outstanding products even better. Other Oils companies, however, are beholden to shareholders, and one could speculate that their incentive is to maximize profit. They formulate Oil down to a price, rather than formulating them to be the best they can be. Then, they price their products to maximize profits. In addition, AMSOIL has 33 years of experience blending premium extended drain synthetic engine oil. That’s 33 years worth of proven performance in the field.
A close look at ExxonMobil’s new long drain motor oils line reveals that two are petroleum based, one is a synthetic blend and only one, Mobil 1 Extended Performance, is a full synthetic. The petroleum based products are recommended for 5000 mile drains, the synthetic blend for 7500 mile drains and Extended Performance for 15,000 mile drains. However, a look at the fine print reveals that ExxonMobil is still recommending drivers follow the Oils drain recommendations listed in their owner’s manuals during the warranty period. AMSOIL synthetic motor oil are recommended for 25,000 mile or one year drain intervals in both new and older vehicles. The AMSOIL warranty stands behind this recommendation.
AMSOIL has recommended 25,000 mile/one year drain intervals since 1972.
AMSOIL delivers the highest quality lubricants on the market. It’s the AMSOIL identity, and it’s what customers expect. Al Amatuzio coined the phrase “extended drain interval,” and from the beginning, AMSOIL synthetic motor oil have been formulated for extended drain intervals.
Vehicle manufacturers are pushing for extended Oils drain intervals.
Vehicle manufacturers in Europe have been recommending extended Oils drains for years. In fact, the average drain interval in Europe is 10,000 miles. Vehicle manufacturers in the United States are definitely coming around to extended Oils drains as well. Most owners’ manuals from recent model vehicles recommend 5000 to 7500 mile Oils drain intervals. In addition, Oils life monitors have become increasingly common on today’s vehicles, allowing and encouraging motorists to increase drain intervals up to 12,000 miles, even when using conventional Oils. Vehicles equipped with an Oils life monitor no longer recommend Oils changes based solely on mileage. The system measures engine operational data such as temperature, revolutions and speed to determine when the Oils is nearing the end of its life.
The motor oils industry is faced with the extended Oils drain interval issue.
The success of Oils life monitors has posed a threat to motor oils companies who insist Oils must be changed every 3000 miles. It becomes increasingly difficult to maintain this position when vehicle manufacturers are recommending significantly longer intervals with the use of their Oils monitoring systems. This is no doubt one of the reasons ExxonMobil finally introduced a line of long drain motor Oil. Read the article by Bob Mcfall regarding extended drain intervals