If you want to buy AMSOIL Products, visit the AMSOIL On-Line Store

The Facts About Aftermarket Oil Additives

What about Oil Additives like Slick 50, Prolong, Zmax and others

The fact is they are totally useless and in many cases actually detrimental or damaging to your engine.  If you quietly corner a lubrication engineer (in case he works - or might one day work - for one of "those" companies) and ask him "off the record", he'll tell you that oil additives are the modern version of “snake oil” sales: completely fraudulent, they’re an unethical embarrassment to the lubrication industry.  The Federal Trade Commission has issued charges of false and deceptive advertising that these and many other additive manufacturers have misled consumers into believing that their products offer increased engine protection and performance when added to your motor oil.  FTC examples

Federal Trade Commission Charges zMax with False and Deceptive Advertising

Read about the latest FTC charges against zMax in our informative articles link. ZMax is the latest company to be charged in a long list of companies. The FTC has successfully halted false and deceptive advertising by the marketers of Dura Lube, Motor Up, Prolong, Valvoline, Slick 50, STP and other major brands of engine treatment systems.  Unfortunately, halting the deceptive advertising does not correct the false word-of-mouth advertising which continues to be spread by unsuspecting customers who don't know they were originally lied to.

Without going into extensive detail here's what you need to know about aftermarket oil additives: There are basically two types of additives used, either Teflon based with PTFE (like Slick 50) or Chlorinated based (like Dura Lube) with some type of carrier, usually a paraffin based carrier or other mineral oil. Some have extremely large amounts of moly (or MoS2 - Molybdenum Disulfide), zinc or phosphorus: all are EP (extreme pressure) agents which are detrimental to a motor oils' proper function in the amount that they use. 

EP additives are great in gear lubes (where they're widely used by the whole lubrication industry), but they typically cause increased friction, heat, and reduced fuel economy at the lower-pressure loads in an engine application.  And at the higher operating temperatures that engine oils are subjected to, EP's typically break down and cause corrosion of copper/bronze/brass components (bearings).  

Teflon does absolutely nothing beneficial inside your engine. Teflon must be heated up to about 800 deg. F to get it to stick to anything for friction reducing purposes, just like the Teflon on a frying pan. In your engine what those suspended microscopic colloidal Teflon particles do is gradually attach to your oil pick-up screen and reduce oil flow to your critical components as well as reducing the oil flow in other critical internal engine passages by attaching themselves to the passageway walls. In addition, as your oil filter captures some of these suspended Teflon particles, your filter flow rate will be reduced with a higher pressure drop across the filter.  The increasing restriction can gradually default more frequently into by-pass mode even at moderate temperatures and engine rpm's, which means more unfiltered oil will be flowing through your engine.  At higher rpm's, some filters can collapse from the higher pressure differentials, starving your engine for oil and producing rapid engine failure.

Ever get bleach on your fingers? It's pretty slippery isn't it? Same principle here. Add enough Chlorinated components to a carrier and mix it with some type of teflon, moly, zinc or phosporus & you can reduce the friction, except for one "minor" thing: Chlorinated additives mixed with oil and subjected to heat form hydrochloric acid! Hydrochloric acid is extremely detrimental to your internal engine parts. Get the picture?

That's it in a nutshell. Bottom line is: When using a properly formulated motor oil you do not need any additives whatsoever and additionally, the additives you may put in can react negatively with the additives the oil company carefully blended in. Do yourself a favor and stay away from aftermarket oil additives, regardless of how appealing the bogus claims are in their advertising!

What if They Have a Test To Show How Their Additive Works?... Read On............

At a recent trade show we attended, one of these miracle oil additive companies was there with a machine that demonstrated how their additive reduced friction. It was a motor with rotating solid steel disc secured to the motor shaft and a torque meter with a flat piece of steel mounted on the torque arm. They put every type of oil on the market, one by one, on the machine & pressed hard on the torque meter and at about 20-40 lb-ft torque the torque arm would stall the motor....that is, until they cleaned it off & tried their (chlorinated) additive "IXL" on the bearing & ran the test.

People were amazed as the meter peaked out at 140 lb-ft. torque and still didn't stall the motor! We knew what was happening but many unsuspecting consumers were eating it up and standing in line to buy the additive! The next day we showed up with some Head & Shoulders Shampoo disguised in an oil bottle & had the IXL additive people try it on their test machine. The operator was amazed as the motor just barely stalled at 140 lb-ft! The operator says that's pretty good stuff, what is it? We said Head & Shoulders. He was quite embarrassed to say the least. Head & Shoulders has high levels of high potency ZINC in it that attaches itself to ferrous metals. Coke soft drink will do exactly the same thing. ZINC reduces friction and provides anti-wear protection and is present in most motor oils at a much reduced level. Now, would you put Head & Shoulders in your engine?

Additionally, the test machine was measuring EXTREME PRESSURE. This was their secret demo trick.  Motor oils do not have extreme pressure (EP) additives blended in like gear lubes do. There is absolutely no need for EP additives in a motor oil.  A gear lube would not stall the motor as easily because gear lubes have high levels of Extreme Pressure additives blended in, but do you think they would test their IXL additive against gear lubes? Heck no! They use motor oil....They are comparing apples to oranges & tricking you into buying their additive! Same theory holds true for Slick50, Prolong, Dura Lube, Motor Up, Valvoline Engine Treatment and many others.

By the way, I personally requested and reviewed the available IXL "test data": they had to mail photocopies.  When I got it, I could see why it wasn't available online.  A couple of simple made-up tests done by a university lab that measured HP and RPM differences so small that they could be due to instrumentation error or morning/afternoon air temperature differences.  No standardized ASTM tests were performed at all: IXL has none of the API industry-standard controlled testing results whatsoever.  The logical conclusion is that the product cannot show any favorable results in standardized testing procedures. ("Standardized" tests are tightly-defined, and proven to be very reliable and repeatable.)

Yes, but what about Lucas Oil Stabilizer?  Isn't it used extensively in drag racing?  Yes it is, and it's a unique category in oil additives with a milder version of deception.  With high-alcohol fuels and high horsepower, there is a huge problem with the engine oil becoming rapidly diluted (thinned out) by the alcohol.  To combat this problem, drag racers commonly use a very heavy racing oil (like 60 weight), then add Lucas to the oil because it increases the viscosity even more.  That way, as the oil is being rapidly diluted going down the dragstrip, when they back off the throttle it might be a 30 or 40 weight oil instead of a 10 or 20 weight oil that would allow a lot of engine damage.

Now, what does ANY of that have to do with your vehicle?  NOTHING !  Adding their product to your oil will increase the weight (viscosity) of your engine oil, which will decrease your fuel economy and increase your oil pressure.  Increasing the oil pressure beyond the 30 or 40 weight that the engine's designed for doesn't help you.  In fact, it's a negative because it adds load to your starter and battery, especially in cold weather, and it makes your engine wear faster.  That's right - your engine wears faster for two main reasons: because during cold starts it takes longer to get the oil to all the components, and the higher oil pressure drop across your oil filter means that more of the oil will bypass the filter than normally occurs while your engine is warming up during driving.  So you're pumping additional wear particles through the engine rather than filtering them out.

The deception is that they want you to assume that what's good in a top-fuel dragster is good for your engine, without actually making that claim on their bottle.

Lubrication engineers say:  Motor oils, transmission fluids and gear lubes are carefully designed and balanced lubrication packages that are scientifically formulated and rigorously tested.  Want better performance?  Buy a better product whose performance is proven by industry standardized testing.  Please DON'T be fooled by oil additives!

More: Just say NO to oil additives

Links to a few of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) articles on the false and deceptive advertising used to market these oil additives:

Dura Lube Super Engine Treatment
Dura Lube Advanced Engine Treatment

Motor Up Engine Treatment

Prolong Super Lubricants
Slick 50 Engine Treatment
STP Engine Treatment
Valvoline Engine Treatment
zMax Auto Additives
 

AMSOIL is the undisputed leader in synthetics.............

Since 1972, AMSOIL Synthetic drivetrain LUBRICANTS have proven to be the highest performance engine oils, greases, transmission fluids, and hydraulic and differential gear oils on the market. 
But the other key issue is nanofiber filtration. 
We now cover oil filters, air filters and other fluid filters like NO-ONE else can.  AMSOIL offers the highest performance, most cost-effective, most comprehensive filter line on earth.  Consider...

OIL FILTERS:

Until now, Nanofiber filtration technology has been used exclusively in heavy duty applications, including the US ARMY Abrams M1 tank. AMSOIL Ea Filters are the first and only filter line to bring this technology to the auto/light truck market.

Additionally, consider bypass filtration systems for commercial and fleet applications in cars and light, medium and heavy trucks which can filter particles down to less than one micron and are 89% efficient at 1 micron, making oil changes virtually unnecessary and virtually eliminating engine wear.  (A standard full-flow oil filter can only filter to 20 microns with any reasonable efficiency, but 5-25 microns is widely accepted as the wear-particle size range.)  Easy to install, these oil filter systems have been proven by millions of miles of over-the road trucks, construction equipment and fleet service. And we use these on our personal diesel pickup trucks: my Duramax 2500HD has over 60,000 miles since the last oil drain, the oil analysis looks perfect, and the appearance of this diesel oil looks like a gas engine with 3,000 miles on the oil.

AIR FILTERS:

The MOST IMPORTANT filter on the M1A1 Abrams battle tank is its' nanofiber air filter. 
The MOST Important filter on YOUR vehicle is also the air filter.

It's far better, and easier, to keep wear particles out of the engine than it is to attempt filtering them out of the engine oil.  Yet filter companies and vehicle manufacturer's are strangely silent about actual air filter performance and engine needs.  Now AMSOIL offers world-leading breakthrough Ea air filters with exclusive nanofiber technology.  Based on battlefield-proven air-induction systems used in military ground and air vehicles, this high-technology filtration is now available for consumer use!  Ea filters are guaranteed for 4 years, 100,000 miles, and have OEM certified fitment for your vehicle.  The engineering rule of thumb for damaging wear particle size is 5 to 25 microns.  Incredibly, these filters are 100% efficient at removing particles of 3 microns, and are 80% effective at removing particles of a 1 micron size.  This means that NO WEAR PARTICLES CAN GET PAST OUR Ea AIR FILTERS!  AND, they're less expensive to use than ANY other air filter.

For Power Sports applications, AMSOIL offers a line of oiled-foam filters.  These filters provide better performance than oiled-gauze air filters, and are used almost exclusively in most off-road applications including baja, dirt-track racing, and motocross.

For light to heavy trucks, both gas and diesel engines, AMSOIL's partnership with Donaldson provides you with the best performance and most cost-effective air filtration systems in the world.  These include both Powercore and Nanofiber technology filters.  We have the full line of  Donaldson Filters Now Available , including air, fuel, water, oil and hydraulic filters, with exclusive performance warranties (no one else in the industry offers filtration performance warranties).  Contact us for specific recommendations, or see our Diesel Page.

Air Induction Systems:

AMSOIL offers a growing line of the only OEM certified air induction filtration systems on the market.  Offering dramatic airflow improvements for gains in horsepower, fuel economy, and towing torque, they also keep wear particles out of your engine better than any marketed product.  Current air inductions systems include the 7.3 liter PowerStroke.  In addition, AMSOIL has released a full line of nanofiber universal air induction filters (EaAU) designed to replace stock oil wetted gauze or foam conical filters that were supplied with custom induction systems produced by K&N, Injen, S&B, Green, AIRAID, AFE, TrueFlow and more. Whether your air induction system is in a gasoline street-rod, or a diesel truck, you have great airflow but you need better filtration than oiled gauze.  AMSOIL Ea Air Induction Filters are dry no-oil filters that offer far better efficiency, 50 times the capacity, excellent airflow and are easily cleanable.

    GM, Dodge & Ford diesel air-intakes are Here!

Got a Hummer H2 or H3?  How about a newer Ford PowerStroke?  Then you already have superb nanofiber air filtration.  But we offer the real PowerCore replacement air filter for your Hummer or PowerStroke, at a much lower cost than the dealerships!

WHY SWITCH TO AMSOIL LUBRICATION AND FILTRATION TECHNOLOGIES?

• AMSOIL products saves you time and money.  With recommended extended drain intervals, AMSOIL performance typically costs LESS per year than conventional oil changes.

• The only 25,000 mile/one-year and 35,000 mile/one-year motor oils in the world.

• A vehicle lubrication solution with far less environmental impact, using an estimated 87% less oil and 5-10% less fuel !

• The only oils and filters with a warranty for GUARANTEED performance!

• Exceeds the most stringent performance specifications of all major U.S. and foreign automotive and truck manufacturers.

• Provides up to four-times the wear protection of other motor oils.

• Increases the mileage life of your vehicle.

• Improves fuel economy.

• Increases at-wheel horsepower.

• Lowers transmission and differential operating temperatures and delivers better shifting, even in heavy towing.

• Lowers fleet maintenance costs by lowering the costs of both scheduled maintenance, and mechanical repairs.

• Lowers fleet capital costs by dramatically extending vehicle service-life.  (Vehicle mileage typically extended 20 to 100%.)

• Diesel oil and filtration products designed to deliver more than 1,000,000 miles for over-the-road trucks before engine overhaul.

• Used by many national racing teams, fleets, police departments, fire departments, ambulance fleets, construction firms and trucking companies.

WHY WORK WITH DMT TECHNICAL?

DMT Technical operates Ultimate-Synthetic-Oil.com as part of a group of highly skilled team of OEM Engineers and Lubrication and Filtration Specialists.  In fact, we are the ONLY such group on the internet, as well as the largest AND fastest-growing AMSOIL Dealer organization in the nation.  You too, can join our group when you become an AMSOIL Dealer and take advantage of all that we offer as you use products in your own vehicles or begin your own AMSOIL business. You cannot find a more knowledgeable and skilled group of Dealers anywhere. 

In addition, as a Dealer in our group you will receive exclusive unlimited product, technical and business support from the only group of Truck and Automotive Engineers and Lubrication Specialists on the net.  That's priceless - yet free - vital support that can make a huge difference to a growing business.

We do not run our business purely on the internet. We also have numerous commercial, industrial, trucking, excavating, construction, logging, police, racing and many more accounts that we support and service on a regular basis. We have several fully stocked warehouses and fully equipped shop facilities. This provides us with excellent knowledge of the products, equipment and the business and the ability to respond immediately to any of your needs. We will use this knowledge and experience to help you get started so you too can achieve your goals.

We possess the skills, desire and knowledge to answer questions, solve problems, improve efficiency, reduce downtime, maintenance costs and increase the durability and life of all of your vehicles.

Read what our satisfied customers have to say about us. Read through our website. Contact us with any questions. If you decide to become an AMSOIL Dealer you will be joining, in our opinion, the most skilled AMSOIL group there is. We will help you get started and provide you with the tools and information in order to be successful in this business or with technical and product assistance to use AMSOIL products in your own vehicles.

To get additional information:

We offer several options to receive information on AMSOIL. We welcome the opportunity to work with you personally as your servicing AMSOIL Dealer. Our AMSOIL Dealer Group is led by a Truck/Automotive Engineer and Lubrication Specialist with over 19 years experience. This exceptional benefit is unavailable elsewhere.

Please, email us at Brian@Ultimate-Synthetic-Oil.com and we will send you an exclusive comprehensive package of product, technical and business information. If you are serious about AMS OIL products and the business opportunity this is the best option. You will receive extensive technical and business support from both myself and my Direct Jobber, a Detroit, Michigan Truck/Automotive Engineer and Lubrication Specialist with over 19 years experience. We look forward to helping you learn about AMSOIL.

Or for a smaller, very general information package (which includes a catalog and Dealer application) you can request information via any of the links below.  Please note that your information is always held in confidence per our Privacy Policy, and will never be sold, loaned or otherwise distributed.

To request a FREE Factory Direct Catalog by MAIL

To Immediately Download a FREE Factory Direct Catalog

For Information on Becoming an AMSOIL Dealer

To Buy AMSOIL Products in the AMSOIL On-Line Store

To Sell AMSOIL in Your Store or Purchase For Use in Your Businesses Equipment

To visit the AMSOIL Corporate Website for Product and Business Opportunity Information

AMSOIL is Proudly Made in the U.S.A.

AMSOIL is owned by Americans.

AMSOIL is America's Oil.

Home | Contact Us | On-Line Store | Privacy Policy | Links

DMT Technical

AMSOIL Ultimate Synthetic Oil

Brian Dobben, BSMT

119 Norlick Drive

Bryan, Ohio  43506

Phone: (419) 630-0874

E-mail: Brian

Copyright Information

Copyright 2000 through 2008. All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission. Special undetectable methods are used that will identify any of this material copied, reworded/re-written and published to the web.