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New for model year 2001 and Newer: Ford and Honda specify 5W-20 motor oil for most all cars and light trucks.

Here are the facts behind 5W-20:
(Updated October 2007)

Question: My owners manual species 5W-20 oil. Do I really need to use 5W-20 oil and why did my 2000 model year vehicle require a 5W-30 oil, while the exact same engine in my 2001, 2002 and newer engines "requires" a 5W-20 oil?

Answer: You do not need to use a 5W-20 oil.  In fact, we recommend that you DO NOT.  We know that even OEM Lubrication Engineers do not agree with Ford and Honda's calling for a 5W-20 oil, because the engines are designed for 30-weight oil, and engineers believe that a 20-weight oil will decrease engine life.  (See October 2007 note below for detailed explanation.)

Do not let your dealer scare you by telling you that you have to use it for your warranty. That is a tactic that some dealerships use to scare customers. Once you know the facts and the Federal Magnusson Moss Act law you will be much better informed to protect your rights and use the type of oil you want to use.

The main reason 5W-20 was specified for your engine is to increase the CAFE reported to the Federal Government. CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) is the combined average fuel economy of all of a vehicle manufacturers product line. Minimum CAFE levels are specified by the Federal Government, and financial penalties are large if they fail to meet the minimum. In order for a vehicle manufacturer to continue selling profitable large trucks and SUV's, which typically have poor fuel mileage ratings, as compared to smaller cars, and still meet mandated CAFE requirements, they must also sell enough of the smaller cars which have much better fuel economy ratings to offset the poor fuel economy ratings of the larger vehicles. For model year 2001, the change to a 5W-20 oil will allow Ford and Honda's overall CAFE to increase by a very small amount, typically in the tenths of a mile per gallon range. 5W-20 oil is a lighter viscosity than a 5W-30 oil and therefore has less internal engine frictional losses, or less drag on the crankshaft, pistons and valvetrain, which in turn promotes increased fuel economy. This increased fuel economy is virtually undetectable to the average motorist without the use of specialized engine monitoring and testing equipment under strictly controlled test track driving when compared to a 5W-30, 10W-30 or a 0W-30 viscosity motor oil.

(Q&A continues further below.)

October 2007 - Special Note from our Engineering Group: 

 

Perhaps the above paragraph should begin "the main PUBLICIZED reason 5W-20 was specified for your engine is to increase the CAFE..."   This is the reason that has been "leaked out" of Ford and Honda, and it is probably part of the picture.  However, the difference in fuel economy is a very small one.  In truth, the best synthetic 30-weight oils will produce a much higher fuel economy than the typical 20-weight oils being marketed.  So if that was really the goal, they could simply have specified an oil that was certified for fuel efficiency (forcing more widespread use of higher performance base-stocks and additive packages), and produced a larger boost in CAFE numbers.

 

A common thought of consumers and mechanics, voiced repeatedly in popular online Ford and Honda forums and user groups, is that Honda and Ford "know what they are doing" and have "specified 20-weight oils for a reason".  Then they assume the reason is good, typically without questioning what that "reason" actually is.  (Not the best idea in today's world of slimy business ethics.)  These opinions are sometimes followed by misguided skepticism about the expertise or motivation of AMSOIL's dealers or corporate technical staff. 

 

As an engineering manager in the automotive industry, and the lead engineer at DMT Technical, keeping in mind that there are hundreds of OEM engineers who strongly recommend AMSOIL technologies in synthetic lubrication and nanofiber filtration, please allow me to clear the muddy water.  I can tell you that we have no problem selling high-performance 20-weight oils to consumers who feel more comfortable with it.  If you want 20-weight motor oil because that's what your manual says, then buy it.  We are merely recommending 30-weight synthetic oil in order to look out for your best interests, in a spirit of honest professional disclosure and the Golden Rule.  We're informing you, as automotive industry engineers, that the engine designs have not been changed to "need" a 20-weight oil. 

 

I believe that since we are all consumers who are purchasing expensive vehicles, we deserve full disclosure on the REAL reasons for the recent switch to 20-weight oils.  But are you going to hold your breath waiting for official disclosures that will never happen?  It's known that multiple lubrication and drivetrain OEM engineers in both companies strongly disagreed with specifying 20-weight oils.  I won't name sources or quote engineering "scuttlebutt" that has un-officially come out of Ford and Honda.  But I WILL say that based on my past experiences in the automotive industry...

 

It is likely that the primary reason behind the specification of 20-weight oils is to provide increased wear rates that will serve to offset the longer engine life that is now being produced by the combined advances in oil specifications, and in engine design and manufacturing technologies.  (Specifically in engineering tribology areas which deal with surface finish, hardness, and highly advanced technologies for minimizing damage to wear surfaces.  These extensive technical advancements have sparked engineering discussions on recommending much shorter engine break-in periods, and some engineers believe that on certain engines, the needed break-in period is complete by the time the vehicle is delivered to the dealer.) 

 

Consumers are not aware of it, but increasingly over the last three decades, upper-level OEM management has considered the vehicle life to be a critical factor in the long-term financial performance - and survival - of the company.  Therefore the lifespan of vehicle components and systems are planned to last only a "reasonable" length of time.  Then they will fail.  Commonly, they don't want their vehicles to last forever because that will not only reduce sales revenue from high-profit-margin repair parts, but will also eventually reduce the number of vehicles sold.  Continued use of modern-spec 30-weight oils in modern engines seems likely to produce far too many 200,000 to 500,000 mile engines, which could potentially cut their future sales IN HALF. 

In plain terms, an effective corporate financial "fix" for this "problem" that engineering advancement has created, would be to specify 20-weight oils, which WILL cause a compensating increase in engine wear rates because that viscosity is too low to provide optimum engine protection.  

In a similar way, the "big-name" oil companies like Exxon-Mobil are quite capable of designing and producing high-performance synthetic lubricants that could closely compete with AMSOIL's technologies.  But they won't.  They have considered it and refused the option.  The difference is that their worldwide profit motives and management style will never support that market approach.  Faced with a strategic need to sell petroleum oil and a financial incentive to market frequent oil changes, and lacking a principled commitment to excellence for the benefit of their customers, they've attempted to equal AMSOIL performance only once.  (The original version of Mobil 1 was marketed briefly as a 25,000 mile oil, as AMSOIL's only competitor.  They apparently decided to abandon ultimate performance and consumer value to AMSOIL, in favor of higher profits.  That's partly speculation, but it seems to be the only logical explanation for why Mobil 1 has continued to recommend OEM oil-change intervals, and why AMSOIL lubricants have dominated decades of test data performance, even when it was a truly small company.) 

 

How do you know who to trust?  How can you find superior lubrication performance?  Do you compare advertising budgets, NASCAR decal sizes, and popularity of marketing slogans?  No.  Those are all useless.  There are two simple ways to settle disagreements in lubrication performance: 

1. Dig into the lubrication industry and find out what the insiders say.  Get the industry trade magazines, and you'll eventually be reading references to how the big names in oil additive technologies, like Lubrizol, know that every time they develop higher-performance additive technologies, AMSOIL is immediately interested in it regardless of cost - while other companies only sit down to discuss what kind of performance they can buy for a certain price.  You'll also run into references of Lieutenant Colonel Al Amatuzio's induction into the Lubricants Hall of Fame many years ago, because of the way he took on "big oil" against all odds, to bring the superior purpose-designed performance of synthetic lubricants into the automotive market.  (Or you might just watch a special historical piece about AMSOIL on TV.)

2. Look at ALL the standardized SAE & ASTM test data (not just the viscosity numbers), like this and this.  Download the motorcycle and gear oil research white papers, and look over the charts and photos.  Sure, AMSOIL is nearly the only company that publishes certified test-lab comparison data using the industry standardized tests that every company runs their products through.  And they're the only company that compares AMSOIL test performance to other competitive drivetrain lubricants.  Why is AMSOIL -- as the undisputed historical leader in synthetic lubrication technologies -- the only company to publish such test data, when published data is legally liable for inaccuracy?  Here's the simple answer.     

 

Don't worry.  If you're torn in indecision, and want to use a 20-weight motor oil, that's no problem.  The AMSOIL 0W-20 is a 25,000 mile oil that outperforms every other 20-weight motor oil on the market - typically by a huge margin.  If you convert your engine early in it's life and you are not towing anything, this oil should take your engine well beyond 300,000 miles, and you can probably add another 100,000 miles if you're using AMSOIL's Ea (Absolute Efficiency) nanofiber oil and air filters.

 

Brian Dobben, BSMET.  

 
Question: Could using a 5W-30, 10W-30, 0W-30 or even a 10W-40 or 20W-50, oil in my vehicle which specifies a 5W-20 oil void my new car warranty?

Answer: Absolutely not. Vehicle manufacturers only recommend using motor oils meeting certain viscosity grades and American Petroleum Institute service requirements. Whether a motor oil is a 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30, 0W-30, 10W-40 or 20W-50 (for racing and high performance applications in, for example, a Cobra R Mustang) or even a synthetic vs. a petroleum based oil will not affect warranty coverage. The manufacturer is required by Federal Law to cover all equipment failures it would normally cover as long as the oil meets API service requirements and specifications and was not the cause of failure. In addition, the Federally mandated Magnuson - Moss Act states that a manufacturer may not require a specific brand or type of aftermarket product unless it is provided free of charge. If your dealership continues to tell you that you must use 5W-20 motor oil and or/ a specific brand of 5W-20 motor oil, then ask them to put it in writing. You probably won't get it, because their position is inaccurate, and, in fact violates existing law.* (See Note below.)

Additionally, if there is ever a question of whether or not a particular motor oil was the cause of an engine failure, make sure to get a sample of the used oil in a clean bottle, typically 6 oz. minimum. The oil can then be sent to two independent testing labs for analysis. This is standard procedure for most commercial vehicles, trucking, construction/excavation and fleet companies and there are numerous certified test labs all over the country. Remember, a knowledgeable and informed consumer is your best defense against being taken advantage of by a car dealership service center.

Note: If a car or truck dealership, service center or other business states that using AMSOIL motor oil in your vehicle will void your new car warranty, ask for that statement in writing and send it to AMSOIL technical Services. If the business won't provide the statement in writing send AMSOIL Technical Services a letter identifying who made the statement, the name and location of the business and what the statement was. AMSOIL will then send a letter to the business informing them that their position is inaccurate, and, in fact, violates existing law. Your name will be held in confidence.

AMSOIL mailing address: AMSOIL Inc., AMSOIL Bldg., Superior, WI 54880

For those consumers that still must use a 20 weight oil, even after reading this informative article, AMSOIL does manufacture two 20-weight synthetic motor oils.  One is called AMSOIL XL 5W-20 (product code XLM).  It is a 6-month, 7,000 to 10,000 mile motor oil that is high performance, but uses a Group III oil base-stock - these hydrocracked oils are the petroleum oil companies' widely sold 1998 redefinition of a "synthetic" that wasn't a synthetic before.  Group III performance is good, but it cannot provide the long drain interval performance of AMSOIL's true synthetics.  As such, XLM offers high performance at an attractively low cost per-quart, but without the savvy consumer value of AMSOIL's famous extended drain intervals.  The newer oil is AMSOIL's 0W-20 (product code ASM), which outperforms EVERY 20-weight oil on the market - both in engine protection, and in fuel economy.  AMSOIL's 0W-20 and 5W-20 synthetic motor oils provide outstanding wear protection and increased power, performance and fuel economy in high and low temperatures and also meets or exceeds every aspect of the Ford and Honda specifications.

However, for the ultimate performance and protection in Ford and Honda engines, we recommend using AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-30 synthetic motor oil.  As the latest technology upgrade to the widely acclaimed Series 2000 oil, this is the top performing AMSOIL Motor Oil for gasoline powered light trucks and passenger cars. It uses race-proven technology and provides unsurpassed fuel efficiency and much better wear protection than other conventional and synthetic motor oils, exceeding the performance of 5W-20 oils. It is a 35,000 mile/1-year change interval motor oil that's rated for 17,500 miles in severe service applications. Use it in conjunction with AMSOIL's Ea Nanofiber Oil Filters that specify a change interval of 25,000 miles/1-year, whichever comes first.

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 air and oil...

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 70,000 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.

    Amsoil and InJen present GM, Dodge & Ford diesel air-intakes 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.

DMT Technical

Ultimate Synthetic Oil - AMSOIL Products

119 Norlick Drive

Bryan, Ohio  43506

Phone: (419) 630-0874

E-mail: Brian

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