Another test is the ASTM D-97. This test measures the pour point of oil. The oil’s pour point is the coldest temperature at which the oil will still flow.

The ASTM D-4683 is the High Temperature, High-Shear Viscosity measure. What this measures is the ability to sustain the viscosity of the oil in higher temperatures when being exposed to high shear. A higher score in this test means that your engine's most stressed and heated parts will stay protected even under severe conditions.

ASTM’s D-4172B Four Ball Wear Test includes three fixed balls immersed in a lubricant, with the fourth ball rolling on the three with a specific pressure. The performance of the oil is measured by the scarring on the surface of the balls. Obviously, the less severe the scar, the better protection offered by the lube.

When oil is sloshed around and shaken, air can become trapped in the oil, causing it to foam. Air is then carried through the lubrication system and can cause damage, because air doesn’t have lubricating properties. The ASTM D-892 standard is the measurement of the oil’s capability of resisting foam, or excessive air trapped in the oil.

One thing that many consumers do not consider is the oil’s flash point. The flash point is the temperature at which the oil ignites with a flame. This is determined by the ASTM’s D-92 Flash Point and Fire Point test. The fire point is much like a flash point, except the ignition must burn for at least five seconds. Synthetic lubes are far superior to conventional petroleum oils because of their high flash and fire points.

The SAEJ1321 Joint TMC/SAE Fuel Consumption Test Procedure – Type II is the test that measures fuel consumption. In a test that was conducted using trucks that delivered freight cross-country, it was decided that the switch from conventional to AMSOIL synthetic lubricants improved fuel economy by 8.2%, when a truck typically can consume 100 gallons in a day, which is about a $24-a-day savings.

Finally, there is ASTM’s D-5800 Noack Volatility test. This tests the oil's resistance to boiling at high temperatures. At high temperatures, oil boils off, resulting in a loss of oil and also leaving sludge behind. The D-5800 Noack Volatility test measures oil’s resistance to boiling off, causing engine oil loss and creating sludge.

Synthetic oils perform better in all of these tests than their conventional counterparts. You would think that with all of the performance benefits of synthetic oil, that they would have already replaced conventional oils. The only hindrance to that fact is price. When you compare the price of an oil change using conventional oils, the difference might be as high as $50.00. The initial impact the price of synthetic oil has usually provokes people into sticking with their cheaper conventional oils, not realizing the long-term savings of synthetics. In the long run, using synthetic oils actually saves the consumer money, especially when you consider fuel consumption, engine repairs, and most importantly, oil life. Most people know they need to change their oil every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever is first. With a synthetic oil, that is not true. Synthetics hold up much longer due to the way they are designed and produced. They do not have the impurities that break down conventional oils and degrade performance.

When you consider the long-term price of oil, using a synthetic is the only sensible choice available. Choosing the best motor oil for your application is very important. Some oils perform better in hot weather, others in cold. Synthetic oil is the only choice that will outperform conventional oils in every measurement.

Visit: http://www.synthetic-motor-oils.com

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