Motor Oil Info

The last “S” in SAPS stand for sulfur. Sulfur compounds are typically associated with anti-wear and extreme-pressure protection, but they can also be a component of corrosion inhibitors, friction modifiers and antioxidants. Excess sulfur can contribute to catalyst poisoning because sulfur is preferentially absorbed by the catalyst sites. When sulfur gets into the exhaust stream, it can poison catalyst surfaces, resulting in formation of particulate matter. Particulates in the emissions system can increase system back-pressure that negatively affects vehicle performance. Sulfur is generally being reduced in diesel fuel and lubricants.

There are a number of very positive benefits of SAPS in lubricants; however, as government emissions legislation imposes stricker emissions limits, the latest and forthcoming oil specifications require reduced SAPS levels to improve the life and performance of exhaust aftertreatment devices.

As the DPF fills with contaminants, pressure builds within the exhaust system. When the pressure reaches a certain level it triggers a DPF regeneration process where soot particles are burned. Materials that don’t burn, like sulfated ash, build up in the filter over time and block the flow of exhaust through the filter. When ash build-up becomes excessive, it must be professionally cleaned. The latest diesel oil specification for 2007 and newer diesel vehicles, API CJ-4, limits the level of sulfated ash for this reason. It is normal and accepted that these filters need to be cleaned, but the new CJ-4 specification limits sulfated ash levels to prolong time between cleanings.

Many European vehicles come equipped with smaller DPFs that do the same job as their large diesel counterparts, which is why the VW 504.00/507.00 engine oil specification limits an oil’s sulfated ash content. AMSOIL European Car Formula 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil (AEL) has a lower TBN than many other AMSOIL products in order to meet the VW 504.00/507.00 SAPS restrictions. VW specifies precise SAPS limits, which limits the level of resulting oil TBN.

So, what exactly does SAPS do? First, let’s understand the “SA” in SAPS. Sulfated ash is a term used for materials added to lubricants to soak up excess oxidation byproducts and acids created by exhaust gases. Sulfated ash is an important component of diesel oil to ensure long oil life and good engine protection over time. As noted, some oil specifications restrict the sulfated ash content in order to protect certain emissions aftertreatment devices.

The diesel particulate filter (DPF) is a good example of an emissions system device and is a relatively new development in the diesel world. The DPF is a large, honeycomb-type filter designed to capture and burn soot in diesel applications. It filters particulate matter from the exhaust so we don’t have to breathe in harmful material from buses, trucks and other diesel applications.

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Viscosity Grade is a system based on viscosity measures taken from a variety of tests. It developed 11 distinct motor oil viscosity classifications or grades: SAE oW,-SAE60. These are single-grade or single-viscosity oils.

These grades designate the specific ranges that the particular oil falls into. The “W” indicates the grade is suitable for use in cold temperatures. (Think of the “W” as meaning “Winter”.) The classifications increase numerically, readily indicating the difference between them and what the difference means. Simply put, the lower the number, the lower the temperature at which the oil can be used for safe and effective protection. The higher numbers reflect better protection for high-heat and high-load situations.

Because excessive engine heat causes chemical breakdown of oil, which in turn results in permanent thickening of the oil, oxidation inhibitors work to limit the impact of oxidation. Oil oxidation produces acidic gases and sludge in the crankcase. These gases combine with water in the crankcase to corrode and rust the engine. Corrosion prevention is especially critcal in diesel engines.

(TBN) An oil’s ability to neutralize acids is expressed by its Total Base Number. The greater the number, the greater the amount of acidic by products the oil can neutralize. A high TBN is particularly important in extended drain interval oils, such as AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils, because they neutralize acids, and more of them, for a longer period of time. Most oils for diesel engines in North America have a TBN between 8 and 12. AMSOIL Manufactures several diesel oils with a TBN of 12.

AMSOIL Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel & Marine Motor Oil (AME) is a premium diesel oil providing excellent performance in all types of diesel engines where highly effective control of wear and deposits is vital. Built with heavy-duty dispersant/detergent additives, its 12 TBN chemistry neutralizes acids and controls soot thickening from EGR and blow-by to protect against corrosion, cylinder bore polishing (wear) and varish/sludge deposits.

AMSOIL Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel & Marine Motor Oil is heavily fortified with detergent/dispersant additives and is naturally resistant to soot. It is designed to keep soot particles suspended independently and prevent them from attaching together to form larger, wear-causing particles. Viscosity increase is minimized and soot-related wear is controlled.

AMSOIL Serial 3000 5w-30 Synthetic Diesel Oil provides better wear protection than other popular higher viscosity diesel oils. In fact, independent testing show the high viscosity oils tested produced wear scar up to 45 percent larger than that of Serial 3000.

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 start up wear protection in cold engines than do less fluid oils. They also provide easier starting and reduced battery drain.

An ongoing fleet demonstration is providing evidence of the excellent wear control of AMSOIL Serial 3000 Synthetic Diesel Oil. Since January 1996, AMSOIL and a northern trucking fleet have been conducting a demonstration using Serial 3000 in the 1996 Cummins N-14 ESP3 engines of five 1996 Kenworth class 8 trucks.

The trucks travelled 125,000 miles WITHOUT an oil change and the rate of wear metal generation found in Serial 3000 samples was LOWER than that found in used control oil, Pennzoil Long Life 15w-40, which is changed at 20,000 mile intervals.

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. Synthetic Diesel Oils.

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.

The vehicles equipped with AMSOIL synthetic lubricants in the engines, transmissions and drive axle 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.