Oil Analysis Services - Oil Analyzers INC. - Select Synthetics - AMSOIL Authorized Dealer

The fact that Drain Intervals can be extended past the typical "recommended" intervals, when using a high-quality Full Synthetic Motor Oil such as AMSOIL Signature Series, has been repeatedly proven and demonstrated countless times by industry-standard ASTM tests, long-term Field Studies and subsequent engine tear-downs, and Oil Analysis.

The purpose of Used Oil Analysis is not to compare one Oil Brand (or type) with another Oil Brand - they are not meant to be used to discriminate one lubricant from another.

UOAs are really only a diagnostic tool (one of many) to help determine the condition of the oil - if it needs to be drained or if it is safe for it to remain in service - and to provide some information regarding the level of wear metals in the oil, which will help you monitor wear patterns and wear rates of specific components in your engine.

Note: "Wear rates" are often more dependent on a given engine's component design and materials than they are on the motor oil that is being used in it.

UOAs will help you determine if the motor oil you're using is adequately protecting your engine or not, and will also help you monitor the rate of additive depletion. Sampling and analyzing on a regular basis establishes a baseline of normal wear and can help indicate when abnormal wear or contamination is occurring.

UOAs also help diagnose certain issues, such as excessive fuel dilution of the oil or a coolant leak, and help to identify other potentially damaging contaminants and insolubles such as silicates, soot/carbon, dirt, etc. Higher insoluble percentages often indicate insufficient or inadequate air and/or oil filtration.

The bottom line is, if you're using the "correct" oil (type/viscosity/API rating) that is spec'd for your particular engine and climate (assuming it is a high quality oil from a reputable brand like AMSOIL) and changing it at reasonable intervals, your engine will (at least it should) last a very long time and remain in good operating condition.

In the past, Oil Analysis was usually only used by large companies for their machinery and large truck fleets to determine wear rates and condition of their equipment and to see how far their could safely push their oil changes.

Now that doesn't mean that Oil Analysis is not important or isn't useful for today's car engines - it can be - however, the main purpose of Oil Analysis is to determine if it's safe to extend your Oil Change Intervals.

If you plan to extend your drain intervals to, say 25,000 mi/40,000 km or 1 year, you better make darn sure you are using a high-quality Full Synthetic Extended Drain Oil, such as AMSOIL Signature Series, which has a good robust additive pack and high starting TBN levels (note: an oil's Total Base Number affects it's ability to neutralize acids in the oil - the greater the number, the greater the amount of acidic by-products the oil can neutralize and the longer it can remain in service). And in this case, I would highly recommend getting your oil analyzed.

You can learn a lot from UOAs but there are a lot of things that they cannot tell you. For instance, they won't tell you how much carbon build-up is on the back of the intake valves of your GDI engine and at what rate it is accumulating. A UOA cannot and will not tell you if 'Oil A' is doing a better job than 'Oil B' at preventing/reducing this carbon build-up.

Also, an Oil Analysis doesn't tell us which "base oils" were used in the formulation - whether they are primarily from Groups II/III or from Groups IV/V for instance - or what percentage of each of those base oils was used in the blend.

Additionally, there are some additives in the finished motor oil that simply will not show up in an inexpensive Oil Analysis. Nor will that analysis tell us anything regarding the synergistic effects of those various additives (i.e. how they interact and work together in the blend). [See also: Can I Mix Different Motor Oils?]

To begin using the Oil Analyzer program, you must first Purchase a Kit to receive all of the necessary equipment, along with instructions on how to sample your oil. Everything you need is included!*

Oil Analyzers Fluid Analysis is performed at independent ISO 17025 A2LA accredited testing laboratories. This is the highest level of quality attainable by a testing laboratory backed by the most stringent accrediting body in the industry. You can be confident that the results you receive are accurate, repeatable and traceable to a standard.

Once your sample has been received, testing will begin. The average time it takes to complete an analysis is between 24-72 hours. Oil Analyzers online reporting software, HORIZON®, delivers your results almost immediately after sample processing is complete.

Fluid Analysis is most effective when samples are representative of typical operating conditions. Dirt, system debris, water and light fuels tend to separate from lubricants and coolants when system temperatures cool. For optimum results:

1. The component sampled should be brought to operating temperature prior to sampling. This will assure that the insoluble and semi-soluble material is suspended evenly throughout the system. Samples taken from components that have been inactive for long periods are not representative.

Obtaining fluid samples is relatively simple, regardless of the application. Sampling methods may vary according to the type of equipment from which the sample is taken.

Mobile vehicles typically require a vacuum pump while common industrial applications may give direct access through a sample valve or system reservoir. Some industrial equipment may require a vacuum pump.

Some industrial applications have a sampling port through which a sample can be obtained. This sampling method requires the equipment be in operation. The valve should be wiped clean and any stagnant oil should be drained prior to catching a sample run. Ensure the sample valve is securely closed once the sampling process is complete.

Clean the area around the drain plug thoroughly to avoid sample contamination. Allow oil to drain for three to five seconds prior to catching a sample so that contaminants that have settled around the drain are flushed out. Place a clean, dry sample bottle in the oil stream to collect the sample and fill to within 1/2 inch of the top. Seal bottle tightly.

Using the reservoir drain plug is the least desirable method for obtaining an oil sample because the bottom of the reservoir contains elevated amounts of contaminants. It should be used only when the other options are unavailable.

More on Obtaining an Oil Sample

Be proactive about vehicle maintenance by taking routine Oil Analysis. The inexpensive, easy to take sample could possibly save you hundreds of dollars by finding mechanical issues before they cause problems.

With Oil Analyzers, you can be confident each time you sit behind the wheel.

Operators typically test engine oils, transmission fluids, gear oils, coolants and diesel fuel.

Operators typically test engine oils, transmission fluids, gear oils, hydraulic fluids, coolants and diesel fuel.

In addition, practicing extended drain intervals can save a significant amount of money. Operators typically test engine oils, transmission fluids, gear oils, hydraulic fluids, coolants and diesel fuel.

Operators typically test engine oils, transmission fluids, gear oils, hydraulic fluids, coolants and diesel fuel.