Lubricant Technology
Why Use Assembly Lube?
Why engine builders use assembly lube instead of ordinary motor oil or grease to protect critical components during assembly and first start.
AMSOIL Knowledge Centre
Technical Knowledge That Goes Beyond the Bottle
Explore lubricant technology, product information, industry standards, application advice and updates from AMSOIL Australia. Whether you are choosing the correct oil specification, comparing lubricant types or looking for the latest product news, the AMSOIL Knowledge Centre brings together practical information in one place.
Knowledge Feature
Lubricant Technology
Inside Synthetic Oil
What do engine oil additives actually do?
Base oil is only the beginning. Explore the detergents, dispersants, anti-wear agents, antioxidants and other chemistry that turn base oil into a finished engine lubricant.
70-80%
Base Oil
+
20-30%
Additive System
Explore the Science →
Latest from the Knowledge Centre
Additives
How Does AMSOIL DOMINATOR Coolant Boost Reduce Engine Temperature?
How can a coolant additive help an engine warm up faster and run cooler? Learn how AMSOIL DOMINATOR Coolant Boost uses surfactant technology to improve heat transfer and cooling-system performance.
Engine Oil
Extended Oil Change Intervals: How Can Synthetic Oil Last Longer?
What allows some synthetic oils to safely remain in service longer? Learn what causes engine oil to degrade and how AMSOIL validates extended drain intervals.
Engine Oil
Is 0W-20 Too Thin? When Should You Use 0W-20 Engine Oil?
Is 0W-20 really too thin? Learn how oil viscosity, engine load, temperature and bearing speed interact - and why thicker oil isn't automatically better.
Maintenance
AMSOIL Power Foam: What Does It Clean and How Do You Use It?
AMSOIL Power Foam removes stubborn carbon, gum and varnish from petrol engines. Learn how it is used in carburettors, induction systems and engine rebuilds.
Small Engine
What Is Small Engine Oil and Why Is It Different?
Small engines can place surprisingly high demands on engine oil. Learn what counts as a small engine, why operating conditions differ from automotive engines and why the correct oil matters.
Small Engine
AMSOIL SABER 2-Stroke Oil: How Can a 100:1 Mix Ratio Work?
AMSOIL SABER Professional can be mixed at ratios up to 100:1 in suitable two-stroke equipment. Learn how it works and why more oil isn't automatically better.
Lubricant Technology
Group III vs Group IV Base Oils: What Are the Five Base Oil Groups?
Learn how the five base oil groups work, the difference between Group III and Group IV (PAO) base oils, and why base oil type alone doesn't determine lubricant quality.
Lubricant Technology
What Are SAPS in Engine Oil and Why Do They Matter?
Learn what sulphated ash, phosphorus and sulphur (SAPS) are, why they are found in engine oil and why modern emissions systems require careful control of them.
Driveline
Why Zero-Turn Mowers Need Specialised Hydrostatic Transmission Oil
Learn why zero-turn hydrostatic transmissions place unique demands on their oil, and why heat, shear, viscosity and wear protection are critical to smooth, responsive operation.
Maintenance
AMSOIL Engine Fogging Oil: Uses Beyond Engine Storage
Learn how AMSOIL Engine Fogging Oil helps protect stored engines from corrosion and dry starts, plus its lesser-known uses for engine builds and workshop machinery.
Diesel
What Is Cetane? Diesel Cetane Number & Cetane Boost Explained
Learn what cetane number means, how it differs from octane and why improving diesel fuel ignition quality can help starting, smoothness and combustion.
Lubricant Technology
AMSOIL Signature Series Sequence IIIH Test: Twice the Test, Half the Limit
AMSOIL put Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil through an extended Sequence IIIH engine test lasting twice the normal test duration. See what the results mean.
Driveline
ZF 8HP Transmission Fluid Guide: What Oil Does an 8HP Need?
What transmission fluid does a ZF 8HP use? Learn about ZF LifeguardFluid 8, AMSOIL alternatives, servicing, fluid levels and 8HP transmission swaps.
Oil Standards
JASO MA, MA2 & MB Motorcycle Oil Standards Explained
Learn the difference between JASO MA, MA2 and MB motorcycle oil standards, including wet-clutch compatibility and how to choose the correct oil for your motorcycle.
Lubricant Technology
High-Zinc Engine Oil: What Is ZDDP and Does Your Engine Need It?
Learn what ZDDP is, why high-zinc motor oil matters for flat-tappet and classic engines, and when a high-zinc oil is — and isn't — the right choice.
Lubricant Technology
What Does “Stay-in-Grade” Oil Mean?
Learn what “stay-in-grade” means, how engine oil can lose viscosity through mechanical shear and why shear stability is an important requirement of ACEA oil classifications.
Engine Oil
Why Buy Signature Series?
Discover what sets AMSOIL Signature Series apart and how its advanced synthetic formulation provides exceptional protection for demanding engines.
Oil Standards
API GL-4 vs GL-5 Gear Oil: What's the Difference?
GL-4 and GL-5 are not simply lower and higher grades of gear oil. Learn why the correct API gear oil specification matters for manual transmissions, synchros and differentials.
Engine Oil
How to Dispose of Used Engine Oil in Australia
Changed your own engine oil? Learn how to safely store, recycle and dispose of used engine oil, oil filters and containers in Australia.
Lubricant Technology
How Motor Oil Is Tested
Learn how motor oil is tested for viscosity, wear protection, cold-temperature performance and more, and what common ASTM test results actually mean.
Driveline
How Often Should You Change Differential Oil?
How often should differential oil be changed? Learn how towing, off-road driving, water contamination, heat and severe service can affect differential oil change intervals.
Fuel & Combustion
What Is LSPI? Low-Speed Pre-Ignition Explained
Learn what low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) is, why it can occur in turbocharged direct-injection petrol engines and how modern engine oils are designed to help protect against it.
Motorcycle
Motorcycle Oil, Primary Fluid & Transmission Fluid: What’s the Difference?
Learn the difference between motorcycle engine oil, primary fluid and transmission fluid, and why some motorcycles use one lubricant while others require separate fluids.
Additives
AMSOIL Fuel Additives Explained: Which One Should You Use?
Learn the differences between AMSOIL petrol and diesel fuel additives and find the right product for cleaning, lubrication, cetane, octane and ongoing fuel-system maintenance.
Marine
Why Your Marine Lower Unit Needs Regular Service
Learn why marine lower-unit gear oil needs regular servicing, how water contamination damages gears and bearings, and what to look for when draining the oil.
Small Engine
Lawn Mower Won’t Start? Common Causes & What to Check
Lawn mower won't start? Learn how stale fuel, carburettor deposits, spark plugs, air filters and incorrect oil levels can cause small-engine starting problems.
Engine Oil
How Often Should You Change Synthetic Engine Oil?
There is no single oil-change interval that applies to every synthetic engine oil. Learn how vehicle requirements, driving conditions and oil formulation determine when your oil should be changed.
Lubricant Technology
Inside the AMSOIL Dyno: Testing the 1,000 HP Hellephant Engine
Go inside the AMSOIL Mechanical Lab as its technicians tackle the challenge of installing, running and dyno testing Mopar's supercharged 1,000 hp Hellephant crate engine.
Motorcycle
What Is the Best Motorcycle Oil?
What makes a good motorcycle oil? Learn how heat, high rpm, transmission shear, wet clutches and corrosion protection affect the lubricant your motorcycle needs.
Engine Oil
Why Do Some Ford Mustang Engines Require 5W-50 Oil?
Some high-performance Ford Mustang engines specify 5W-50 engine oil. Learn why Ford uses this viscosity in selected Mustang applications and why the correct specification matters.
Diesel
Choosing Engine Oil for Modern Diesel Vehicles
Not all diesel engines require heavy-duty diesel oil. Learn why modern diesel cars, utes and SUVs can require specialised low-SAPS oils and manufacturer specifications.
4WD & Off-Road
Quad Bike & Side-by-Side Maintenance: 7 Essential Checks
Keep your quad bike or side-by-side reliable with seven essential maintenance checks covering engine oil, driveline fluids, air filtration, fuel, cooling and more.
Engine Oil
Why Is My Engine Knocking, Ticking or Pinging?
Engine knock can mean very different things. Learn the difference between combustion knock, valvetrain ticking and rod knock, and what each may indicate.
Engine Oil
5 Common Engine Oil Myths — Fact vs Fiction
Does black oil need changing? Can you mix synthetic and conventional oil? Does synthetic oil cause leaks? We separate common engine-oil myths from the facts.
Engine Oil
Why Does Engine Oil Deteriorate?
Engine oil doesn't last forever. Learn how heat, oxidation, contamination, fuel dilution, moisture, shear and additive depletion gradually make engine oil unfit for service.
Engine Oil
What Is Engine Sludge and What Causes It?
Engine sludge forms when degraded oil and contaminants accumulate inside an engine. Learn what causes sludge, the damage it can cause and how to help prevent it.
Motorcycle
How to Choose the Right Motorcycle Fork Oil
Fork-oil viscosity directly affects suspension damping and feel. Learn how to compare fork oils properly using viscosity, viscosity index and technical data.
Engine Oil
Is High-Mileage Engine Oil a Gimmick?
High-mileage engine oil isn't just marketing. Learn how seal conditioners, detergents, volatility control and viscosity stability can help protect ageing engines.
Engine Oil
Should You Use Racing Oil in a Daily Driver?
Racing oil is engineered for extreme competition use, but that doesn't necessarily make it better for a road car. Learn how racing and street engine oils differ.
FEATURED TECHNICAL GUIDE
Understanding Engine Oil Standards
API, ILSAC and ACEA specifications define important performance requirements for modern engine oils, but understanding what the letters and numbers actually mean isn't always straightforward. Explore our guide to current and historical oil standards, backwards compatibility and choosing the correct specification for your vehicle.
Explore Oil Standards →API
ILSAC
ACEA
FEATURED TECHNICAL GUIDE
AMSOIL Bypass Oil Filtration
Conventional full-flow oil filters are designed to protect an engine without restricting oil flow, but much smaller contaminants can remain suspended in the oil. Bypass filtration adds a secondary filtration circuit designed to progressively remove extremely fine contamination. Learn how AMSOIL bypass filtration works, compare the BMK21, BMK22 and BMK23 systems, understand EaBP filter sizing and decide whether a bypass system makes sense for your application.
Explore Bypass Filtration →
2 MICRON
BMK21
BMK22 • BMK23
