Smashing the Industry Standard

The new Signature Series, XL and OE formulations launching this fall place our passenger car motor oil (PCMO) line ahead of the game.

The lubrication industry is rife with challenges, and the PCMO segment of the industry is no exception. Evolving engine technologies and tightening regulations drive new specifications, pushing motor oil companies to update their formulations to meet the latest demands. AMSOIL has once again cleared the path and found the most innovative solutions.

The Back Story

New regulations on fuel economy and emissions have pushed the automotive industry to develop smaller, more efficient engines. The prominence of direct injection (GDI) and turbochargers employed to meet rising corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards is placing new burdens on motor oil. Low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) and increased engine temperatures are two of the more serious challenges to arise from the use of GDI and turbos.

Two new gasoline engine oil specifications have been developed to address these issues:

• dexos1^® Gen 2 [General Motors (GM)*] – expected to be released late August 2017  
• API SP/ILSAC GF-6 – expected to be released Fall 2019

After months of vigorous testing, we’ve produced new formulations that far surpass the latest standards and add another level of performance and protection to an already solid foundation.

Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil (ASM, ALM, AZO, ASL,ATM, AZF, AMR)

Improving Signature Series was a challenge, but the results prove the new formulation blows the doors off the latest industry standards. Capitalizing on its firmly established success, our upgraded Signature Series motor oil provides enthusiasts with maximum protection and performance. The new formulation will become available in September or when current inventory is depleted.  

Formulation Change? Yes

Date Available? September

New Stock Numbers? No

Price Change? No

• 75 percent more wear protection¹
• 100 percent protection from LSPI²
• Trusted by professional engine builders
• 50 percent more cleaning power³
• Ideal for turbos & direct injection
• Guaranteed protection for up to 25,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first

¹Based on independent testing in the ASTM D6891 test using 0W-20 as worst-case representation. ²Based on independent testing in the LSPI engine test as required for the GM dexos1^® Gen 2 specification. ³vs. AMSOIL OE Motor Oil

XL Synthetic Motor Oil (XLZ, XLM, XLF, XLT, XLO)

XL Synthetic Motor Oil features a boosted formulation that delivers more cleaning power and promotes longer engine life. The new formulation also features a boosted drain interval, providing up to 12,000 miles or one year of protection. It is engineered for advanced automotive technology, including turbochargers and direct injection. XL is the perfect choice for enthusiasts who want to do something extra for their vehicles. 

Formulation Change? Yes

Date Available? October

New Stock Numbers? No

Price Change? No

• 25 percent more cleaning power¹
• 100 percent protection against LSPI²
• Extra protection that lasts up to 12,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first
• API-licensed to meet the requirements commonly found in owner’s manuals

¹vs. AMSOIL OE Motor Oil

²Based on independent testing in the LSPI engine test as required for the GM dexos1^® Gen 2 specification.

OE Synthetic Motor Oil (OEZ, OEM, OEF, OET)

OE Synthetic Motor Oil delivers 100 percent synthetic engine protection for advanced automotive technology, including turbochargers and direct injection. It’s specifically formulated for the longer drain intervals recommended by original equipment (OE) manufacturers. OE is favored by mechanics and drivers seeking peace-of-mind protection and exceptional value in synthetic motor oil.

Formulation Change? Yes

Date Available? Nov. 1

New Stock Numbers? No

Price Change? No

• 100 percent protection against LSPI¹
• Protects against wear
• Fights sludge and deposits
• API-licensed to meet the requirements commonly found in owner’s manuals

¹Based on independent testing in the LSPI engine test as required for the GM dexos1^® Gen 2 specification.

Perfect Score

LSPI is a hot topic in the lubricant industry. Auto manufacturers need to extract every bit of fuel economy from the vehicles they produce in order to meet increasingly stringent government regulations. Manufacturers can make fuel-economy gains in today’s vehicles by adjusting vehicles’ programming, but those changes would also almost guarantee LSPI would occur. LSPI’s often disastrous effects (see image) are one of the driving forces in the scramble to create the new motor oil specifications, API SP/ILSAC GF-6 and GM dexos1 Gen 2. To gain about 10 percent more fuel economy, auto manufacturers will eventually reprogram their vehicles to maximize mpg, inviting LSPI and relying on motor oil to prevent catastrophic results.

While we expect this switch will be a couple of years out yet, we have dedicated considerable resources to confront the problem. The testing has concluded and the results are in: all AMSOIL synthetic motor oils provided 100 percent protection against LSPI in the engine test required for the GM dexos1 Gen 2 specification.

This specific test records an oil’s ability to prevent LSPI. Five LSPI events can occur before the motor oil fails. Signature Series, XL and OE Synthetic Motor Oil all passed with zero pre-ignition events, proving they provide outstanding protection for turbocharged direct-injected engines.

Look for more exciting information about our synthetic motor oil lineup in upcoming Newsstand articles.