Las Vegas Taxi Cab Field Study

An evaluation of AMSOIL Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATFand Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil operated undersevere-service conditions for extended drain intervals.

Few applications place more stress on lubricants than taxi cabs, particularly those operating in the desert heat of Las Vegas, Nev. The combination of excessive idling, stop-and-go driving and high ambient temperatures creates the ideal scenario for lubricant failure, resulting in sludge formation and catastrophic component failure.

Fleet vehicles, heavy-duty pickups, work trucks and other commercial applications operate under severe service. In addition, drain intervals are getting longer. For engines and transmissions to last as designed and achieve maximum performance, lubricants today must protect against elevated heat and its associated problems for longer periods of service.

Field testing proves that AMSOIL Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF and AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil provide superior protection against sludge and wear for extended drain intervals in severe service. Components from a Las Vegas cab’s transmission revealed minimal distress despite accumulating 12,891 hours (183,705 miles) of severe service on a single fluid change. The valve body earned a high rating for sludge deposits while the clutch plates revealed no discoloration and little wear. Used transmission fluid analysis revealed the fluid still met TAN requirements of new fluid for the Chrysler ATF+4 and Ford MERCON V specifications. Used fluid also demonstrated wear protection in the FZG Gear Wear Test identical to new fluid, providing additional proof of performance.

Engine parts having accumulated 7,033 hours of service (102,582 miles) demonstrated similar results, with the cylinder heads, oil pan and front cover clean and virtually free of sludge. The motor oil provided superior protection for seals and cam lobes, demonstrating its ability to safely extend drain intervals in severe service.

The performance of each fluid in notoriously severe applications operating in challenging conditions indicates their capability to protect in the harshest environments faced by fleet vehicles, heavy-duty pickups, work trucks and personal passenger cars. Results confirm the fluids’ ability to provide reserve protection beyond the severe-service recommendations of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

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