Balanced Viscosity in Synthetic AMSOIL Motor Oil
The viscosity (thickness) of motor oil has traditionally been regarded as the most important aspect in avoiding catastrophic failure since the invention of the engine. Oil viscosity is affected by temperature variations during use. As the temperature rises, it becomes thinner (viscosity reduces), offering less engine protection. As the temperature decreases, it thickens (viscosity rises), making it more difficult to pump around the engine, resulting in less protection at start-up and increased wear.
Under all conditions, the viscosity must be high enough to maintain a lubricating layer between moving components while still being low enough to enable the lubricant to flow smoothly through the oil filter, into passageways, and around the various engine elements.
Viscosity Index Improvers
A little amount of high-quality viscosity index improver is added to motor oil to improve its functioning. In high-quality motor oils, viscosity index improvers make up around 4% to 6% of the total. Because synthetic oils have a higher viscosity index than petroleum oils, they need less viscosity. In both types of oil, the viscosity index improver allows the oil to function across a wide temperature range. Superior quality oils, such as AMSOIL synthetic motor oils, use shear-stable viscosity index improvers to improve the oil's high and low-temperature performance.
Multi-Grade Oils
Some manufacturers tend to believe that a one-size-fits-all approach will satisfy just synthetics enthusiasts. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. Unless they are competing in subzero conditions, race vehicles may use a 50 weight oil, but not a 5W. Passenger cars often require a 5W oil since component tolerances are too tight for 50 weight oil. Developing broad-grade oil affects the entire formulation, not just the viscosity. The one-size-fits-all approach has the drawback of not working for everyone. AMSOIL manufactures a variety of synthetic viscosity grades to meet the needs of a variety of applications; they are not one-size-fits-all motor oil.
