DRIVE GREEN - save money - with “OIL”

By:  Harry O. Rakfeldt

Just as living without electricity is difficult to imagine, functioning without lubricants is equally unimaginable. Yet, how many people think about “oil” when considering how to improve equipment performance, reduce operating costs or reduce their carbon footprint?

When we strive for conservation and efficiency in many areas, shouldn’t we look for the same in our lubricants? Yes. But the common thinking is that ‘all oils are created equal.’ They are not. The “best” oils are man-made synthetic hydrocarbon lubricants. This paper presents in some detail why synthetic oils are superior to traditional petroleum oils.

What are synthetic lubricants?

True synthetics are designed through precise molecular engineering (organic synthesis), using readily available organic chemicals such as weak organic acids, long chain alcohols, and ethylene (derived from natural gas). True synthetics are not made from crude oil.

Synthetic lubricants are as different from each other as they collectively differ from crude oil lubricants. Although there is no single accepted definition for “synthetic” lubricants, the predominant following is that synthetics are man-made and no crude oil is used. Synthetic products represent only token interest for conventional oil companies; petroleum products are their money makers.

The Pioneer – AMSOIL Inc.

AMSOIL Inc, based in Superior, WI, pioneered automotive synthetic motor oil in 1972. From its state-of-the art R & D and Quality Control facilities, AMSOIL steadfastly continues to explore, develop, and expand synthetic lubricants and related after-market products. Today, AMSOIL – certified ISO 9001:2000 compliant – produces premium synthetic lubricants, including industrial formulations, ultra-fine filtration products, and performance items, covering a broad spectrum of applications. From development to its proprietary blending, AMSOIL has no equal in the fields of automotive and industrial synthetic lubricants.

AMSOIL synthetic oils are very energy-efficient, long-lasting fluids that improve equipment performance, help solve our pollution problems, reduce dependence on foreign and domestic crude oil, and are environmentally friendly. AMSOIL synthetics outperform conventional oils in all applications and excel because of three predominant characteristics:

1.     Significant reduction in friction and wear that helps equipment last longer and perform better

2.     Perform dependably at extended temperature extremes, reducing equipment failure

3.     Rigorous and lengthy in-use operation without chemical breakdown extends use intervals

Physical Characteristics

Value

“…The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot – it can’t be done…”

                                                                  John Ruskin, 1819-1900, English author, architect and economist

Synthetics provide a unique solution to a lubrication consideration. The higher initial investment in synthetic lubricants is offset by the value of the solution provided

·         Extended oil drain intervals

·         Lower oil consumption

·         Longer parts life

·         Better performance

·         Reduced emissions

·         Improved productivity

·         Reduced maintenance costs

·         Reduced dependence on crude oil

·         Resource conservation

·         Cost effective

Sustainable Practices

Even in production, synthetics tread more lightly on the environment. Because synthetics perform much longer, fewer products overall are produced for a given customer’s needs. There is less packaging, less resultant waste, less disposal, and less energy used in production, distribution and use.

AMSOIL recommends 5 to 11 times fewer oil changes – up to 35,000 mile drain intervals. Imagine the resource conservation, savings on the environment, and lowered dependence on crude oil if, for example, the 243 million cars (excludes trucks, buses, and taxis) in the US were equipped with long-lasting, energy-efficient AMSOIL synthetic engine oil.

“Consumers…buy a product for a combination of reasons. One is…excellent performance… In the future, delivering performance that is both based on sustainability and recognized as added value will become increasingly important for consumer choices.”
                                                               
                                                            C-A  Weinberger, Corp Senior VP and Global Chief Marketing Officer, Henkel             

Addendum

Case Study

Situation

The Alabama Department of Finance, Office of Fleet Management ‘rents’ about 200 cars to other government agencies around the state.  Each vehicle logs 25,000 miles or more annually and is maintained with conventional oil and filters

Objective

Work with fleet management to develop ways to reduce escalating operating costs without sacrificing safety and performance.

Action

In 1998, the fleet began testing AMSOIL premium synthetic motor oil and AMSOIL oil filters in a group of 1998 FORD Taurus AFV’s (Alternative Fuel Vehicle). In FY 2000, the entire fleet was converted.  AMSOIL premium synthetic engine oil and the nano-fiber oil filter are changed at 25,000 miles or one year.

Result

Oil and filter quantities alone were cut by over 70% per each 25,000 miles of operation compared to conventional oil, filters, and shorter change intervals. Since FY 2000, annual fleet mileage has slowly increased to over 5 million miles – all on the AMSOIL extended oil and filter change program.

Comparison of oil and filter change intervals over average of two years. "X" indicates an oil and filter change. 5K miles is used for the conventional oil/filter change interval.

 
                                             Per Vehicle Usage                   

 Estimated Fleet Savings:  Oil - 2,000 gallons    Filters - 1,600   Labor - $11,800

Labor saving reflects only the direct labor to change the oil and filter (20 minutes average).  It does not include savings in management, inventory handling, inventory control, ordering, down time, accounting, waste, disposal fees, and scheduling.