I see a lot of people asking about the differences between AMSOIL OE and XL lines of motor oil. So let’s take a look and see.
OE 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil 
AMSOIL XL 5W-30 Gasoline Motor oil
AMSOIL OE and XL Series Motor oils are designed to be lower/mid cost entries into the full synthetic oil market for car owner. OE and XL motor oils are made the same way and provide the same protections as all AMSOIL Motor OILS, but the difference lies in then is the additive packages. THE AMSOIL OE motor oil line is made to protect engines for the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) recommended drain intervals. Their Market is usually oil change shops and consumers who want to test out AMSOIL. AMSOIL XL Series is the mid range line of full synthetic motor oils. These oils are designed for those who are looking to improve protection properties and extend drain intervals out to 12,000 miles, but aren’t ready for the 25,000 mile oil change Signature Series oils.
While they are designed to provide the best protection, they do have some differences in formulations. Let’s take a look at some of the other differences.
Wear Protection
Todays modern engines operate with tight clearances between parts while producing high heat conditions. All oils must pass the Peugeot TU3M wear test when being tested for certification of the GM* dexos1® Gen 2 specification. The test requires parts be measured for wear after 100 hours of extreme wear inducing conditions. The test basically determines an oils ability to prevent wear. This wear can cause pistons and cams to operate improperly. This can cause reduced efficiency and power.
AMSOIL OE motor oils passed the test and actually provided 47% more wear protection than what the GM* dexos1® Gen 2 specification required.
AMSOIL XL motor oil was shown during the GM Oxidation and Deposit (GMOD) engine test, to provide 64 percent more protection against oil breakdown. Oil break down is the major factor in increasing wear damage from sludge and varnish formation. The GMOD test simulates severe operating conditions to assess a motor oil’s ability to control viscosity increase, deposits and oil consumption, which are contributing factors to engine damage and increased maintenance costs.
LSPI protection
New fuel injection technology has been introduced to help modern engines increase fuel mileage and reduce emissions mandated by the US Government. The problem with some of these absurd requirements is that auto manufacturers have to speed up the introduction of new engine technology with out fully testing it and being able to address issues with design flaws.
This is the case with LSPI (low-speed pre-ignition) or super knock. LSPI is the simultaneous ignition of the fuel/air mixture prior to the spark plug firing. It is caused by the high heat condition inside the pistons and the firing of fuel into the combustion chamber. The result is broken pistons parts which can lead to engine failure. Auto makers then leave it up to oil manufacturers to fix the issue. The API SN+ classification was introduced to combat this issue.
AMSOIL OE and XL series (signature series as well) are designed with an advanced detergent system to prevent LSPI. Both OE and XL oils passed the LSPI test with 100% protection. This means that AMSOIL OE and XL product line had zero occurrences of LSPI events. In fact AMSOIL oils went through 5 consecutive tests with no occurrences, the first synthetic oils on the market to achieve 100% protection from LSPI.
Extreme Temperature Protection
AMSOIL synthetic oils are designed to provide the ultimate protection in hot and cold temperatures. Today’s engines run hotter due to their smaller compact designs. Now that turbos are being added to engines, this also increases the amount of heat in the engine. AMSOIL OE and XL series fight heat to help prevent oil thickening, deposits from forming, and oil consumption.
In cold weather, the uniform base molecules of AMSOIL OE and XL motor oils help with providing excellent cold temperature oil flow. They also leave a lasting film on parts help provide easy cold starts. By remaining fluid at lower temps, a reduction in wear on parts during start up is also accomplished. Testing has shown that most wear damage occurs when starting a vehicle, especially after it has sat for a while and oil has the opportunity to drain back into the oil pan.
See more on why AMSOIL synthetic oil is better.
Cleaning Power
AMSOIL Synthetic motor oils are manufactured as 100 percent pure. This means that there are no contaminants in the oil, unlike conventional oil where you can’t get rid of all the contaminants.
Both OE and XL lines prevent the formation of sludge and varnish, but due to their detergent additives also continue to clean the deposits that are on the I normal parts already. The difference between OE and XL motor oils is the quality of the additive package and which oil continues to clean the longest.
Increased fuel milage and lower Emissions
Both OE and XL lines of motor oils are licensed by the API and labeled as resource conserving as well. Both AMSOIL OE and XL not only meet but exceed the standards of API Licensing. By their synthetic design they help reduce friction in the engine and increase fuel milage. They are both emissions control system friendly. This contributes to lower emissions, proper catalytic converter performance, and long service life of equipment.
My final thoughts on these oils
AMSOIL XL Highlights
- 25% more cleaning power
- Extra protection that lasts up to 12,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first
- API-licensed to meet the requirements commonly found in owner’s manuals
- Provide 64 percent more protection against oil breakdown from high temps
- 100% protection from LSPI
Buy AMSOIL XL Motor Oil Now
AMSOIL OE Highlights
- Service life is for OEM recommended change intervals
- 47 percent more wear protection
- Fights sludge and deposits from high heat
- 100 percent protection against LSPI
- API licensed to meet the requirements commonly found in owner’s manuals
Buy AMSOIL OE Motor Oil Now
AMSOIL OE and XL are both well formulated oils and testing shows they perform better than industry standards. Which one to choose, well you the consumer should decide what you want from your engine oil. Either way, you going to get great protection from the harmful effects of modern engine design.
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