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Synthetic Oil is the Best Oil for Winter
As you can see in the video, the conventional oil thickened so much that it barely flowed from the beaker. The AMSOIL product, on the other hand, flows almost immediately. Why the dramatic performance difference? Wax.
Conventional motor oils contain waxes that solidify in cold weather (think of a candle!). This severely impairs the oil’s ability to flow when you crank your engine. In some cases, the oil can thicken so much that it prevents the crankshaft from spinning fast enough to start the engine. Thickened, slow moving oil also causes parts of your engine to remain unprotected for a short period of time, increasing engine wear. Up to 60% of total engine wear occurs during cold starts, before the oil can be circulated through the engine.
You can reduce your chances of getting stuck in the cold with AMSOIL. AMSOIL is more fluid at cold temperatures than the tested conventional oil, giving you easier and faster cold starts. Not only will your vehicle start more easily with AMSOIL, the oil will flow more quickly. This means it can reach vital components faster, providing more immediate engine protection and reduced wear, helping your engine last longer.
You may wonder why conventional motor oils contain wax. It’s because they are refined from crude oil and contain contaminants that cannot be completely removed through the refining process. Because AMSOIL synthetic motor oils are chemically engineered to form pure lubricants, they do not contain contaminants, such as waxes, or molecules that don’t serve a designed purpose. As a result, AMSOIL demonstrates far better cold-flow properties than conventional oil … you’ll appreciate the faster cold starts and reduced engine wear that AMSOIL provides.
But the benefits of AMSOIL don’t just stop there. AMSOIL’s pure, uniform molecular structures offer properties that provide benefits that you won’t get from conventional lubricants – reduced friction for superior wear protection, enhanced performance, and optimum fuel efficiency; resistance to sludge formation; extreme temperature performance (both hot and cold); and reduced oil consumption and harmful engine deposits – all of which helps you save money with vehicles that run better and last longer. Plus, several oil drain options allow you to extend your oil drain intervals beyond 3,000 miles, if you choose, reducing maintenance and waste oil.
Even in Warm Climates, Cold-Start Wear is Still a Problem
Engineers agree that most engine wear occurs during cold starts. Gravity causes much of the oil to fall back into the oil sump, leaving components unprotected. Cold oil doesn’t flow immediately at startup, temporarily starving the engine of oil. While true that oil thickens more in sub-zero winter weather and causes increased starting difficulty, an engine is considered “cold” after it’s sat long enough to cool to ambient temperature, typically overnight. The oil inside your engine cools as it sits overnight. As it cools, its viscosity increases (it thickens). When it’s time to start your vehicle in the morning, the thicker oil doesn’t flow through the engine as readily as it does when it’s at operating temperature. It’s during this time that vital engine parts can operate without lubrication, increasing wear. So, even in warm climates, cold-start wear is a problem.
To locate an AMSOIL retailer or oil change location near you, check out our sister website www.SuperOilUSA.com.
More Car Care Tips for Cold Weather
To warm up your car, drive it gently. Although it’s tempting to turn the key or hit the remote starter and let your car sit for a while to warm it up before driving off, idling for long periods is exactly what you shouldn’t do to warm up your car faster. When it’s cold, gasoline doesn’t evaporate as well inside your engine to create the right fuel/air ratio needed for combustion. This added gasoline isn’t good for the cylinder walls. Gasoline is a powerful solvent that can wash away the oil necessary for lubricating the cylinder walls. This can increase wear and shorten the lifespan of vital engine components. Driving your car is the fastest way to increase engine temperature and achieve the desired fuel/air ratio. But use caution and take it easy when you first get going as it can take several minutes for the engine to fully warm up.
In short, you don’t need to warm up your car before taking off in the winter. Idling your engine too much can reduce its lifespan, and it doesn’t effectively heat up your engine faster. The best advice is to start your car and only let it sit about a minute or so before driving. Dust off the snow, scrape the ice off your windows and then get on your way. You’ll save fuel – and save your engine in the long run.
Switch to the lightest viscosity motor oil your vehicle manufacturer recommends in the winter. Doing so maximizes wear protection at startup while improving cold-weather starts. Most automakers recommend a lone viscosity year-round. But some allow you to switch to a lower viscosity in winter, which helps improve cold-flow. If your owner’s manual says you can switch to a lower viscosity oil in winter, go for it.
Switch to synthetic transmission fluid. Like motor oil, transmission fluid thickens in cold weather. The cold, thick transmission fluid doesn’t flow readily through the intricate network of passageways in the transmission valve body or through the small solenoid openings, leading to poor shift quality. Just like their motor oils, AMSOIL synthetic transmission fluids flow much more readily in the cold, which translates into smoother shifts. It also means the gears and bearings are receiving vital lubrication, too, for better wear protection. Anyone who’s shelled out thousands of dollars for a tranny replacement knows how important that is.
Bottom Line: AMSOIL synthetic motor oils and transmission fluids are by far a much better choice for winter months. They flow better for easier starts, smoother shifts and better protection against wear. Upgrade to AMSOIL to maximize cold-weather protection and performance.
To locate an AMSOIL retailer or oil change location near you, check out our sister website www.SuperOilUSA.com.
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