Driving 500,000 Miles With Amsoil
May 8th, 2000, at 68, 250 miles was the day I started my Million-Mile Journey with Amsoil Products, changing my oil and filter every 20 – 25,000 miles.
Here was my situation. In the summer of 1999…I experienced a dramatic drop in my business income forcing me to make a career change.
I was 52 at the time. I asked myself the question, “What can I do?” What am I good at? The answer came…you can drive. Thank you, Lord.
Driving 500,000 Miles With Amsoil…See The USA In My Chevrolet
In September of 1999…I purchased a ’99 Chevy cargo van, held my nose, and jumped off the cliff of self-employment once again. By the middle of September, I made my first delivery to Louisville, KY, for the Emery freight company out of Vandalia, OH.
By the turn of the year 2000, I was driving 8-10,000 miles a month. My biggest expense…you guessed it…gasoline and lots of oil changes. Now I’m beginning to wonder, can I get 500,000 miles out of this van before it falls apart?
The Amsoil 300 and 600-Hour Idle Study of Transmission Fluids…Won Me Over
After researching Amsoil products on their website in April of 2000, I came across a study Amsoil had performed on their transmission fluid. That study was the final push that melted away any lingering doubts I had about synthetic oil.
Please note, I am recalling a test I read back in April 2000. Currently, it is February 2025.
Amsoil conducted an idle test comparing their Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) with Dexron ATF over periods of 300 and 600 hours. This test aimed to evaluate the performance and durability of the fluids under extended idle conditions
After 300 hours of idling, Amsoil analyzed both fluids. The Dexron ATF started to break down while the Amsoil ATF had minimal breakdown.
After 600 hours of idling, Amsoil conducted another analysis on both fluids. The results were clear: Dexron ATF had significantly broken down, while Amsoil ATF showed minimal signs of breakdown.
Amsoil extended their testing to 900 hours on their Automatic Transmission Fluid and observed minimal breakdown. The results demonstrated that Amsoil’s ATF maintained its properties and provided superior protection even after prolonged use.
As a DIY, I knew the transmission was typically the weakest link in a drivetrain. I fully anticipated it would be the first major repair I’d face. Little did I realize, my transmission would outlast the engine! Still has the original transmission at 1,440,000 miles, never been overhauled!
Don’t You Worry About The 25,000 Mile Oil Change…It’s Guaranteed
On May 8th, 2000, I received my first shipment of Amsoil products at my doorstep. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning as I opened the box, revealing the treasures inside: 0W-30 engine oil, Oil Filter, transmission fluid, a Wix Transmission Filter, 75W-90 Severe Gear oil for the differential, and a tube of grease for the 18 zerk fittings on the front suspension and drive shaft. I immediately called my local dealership and made an appointment to have the transmission oil changed (flushed) and the rear differential oil changed.
While I was adding the Amsoil Synthetic Oil to my engine, I noticed the label on the back of the bottle claimed it was good for up to 35,000 miles. On the front label, it said 25,000 guaranteed. I decided to take the plunge and go the full 35,000 miles on this oil change. I understood that long-distance driving with minimal stop-and-go traffic wasn’t nearly as hard on the oil.
Was I a little fearful of going 35,000 on an oil change? You bet. But I put a cap on my fear by ordering an oil analysis kit from Amsoil to catch a sample of my oil on my next oil change.
The Results of My First Amsoil Synthetic Oil Analysis Were Remarkable
In August of 2000, at 103,750 miles (35,500 miles on the oil), I drained the oil, caught a sample, and mailed it to the Lab at Amsoil. By the way, the oil was black, and I figured it had probably lost all its lubrication properties. However, I was about to learn…just because your oil turns black, don’t panic!
A couple of weeks later, I received a report in the mail. I called the Amsoil Technical Department to decipher the report. The lab guy told me I could have driven another 10-15,000 miles. Just change the oil filter!
Seriously, I was in disbelief. He had to tell me twice the oil was still good. He also said to change your PCV valve. The analysis detected elevated nitrite levels. I did not realize you were supposed to change the PCV valve every 50,000 miles. Mine had over 103,000 miles on it.
That oil analysis in August of 2000 eliminated any fear I had about driving 20 -25,000 miles on an oil change.
Spend Less On Oil And Gas
After my first oil change with Amsoil, my fuel mileage increased by 1 MPG, and my oil changes went from 20 to 4 a year. Savings per year…$2000!
So now I’m getting my insurance…oil changes and a month of gasoline for FREE! Amsoil synthetic oil saved me .02 cents per mile on gas and oil costs for every mile I drove. If your occupation requires driving several thousand miles a year, Amsoil products throughout your vehicle can save you hundreds of dollars in maintenance and repairs.(Note…the above info is based on driving 100,000 miles in 12 months)
I have driven my 99 Chevy van over 1.2 million miles
Changing the oil and filter every 20 – 25,000 miles
I have far exceeded my expectations of wondering if I could drive 500,000 miles. Replacing parts before they wear out…and running Amsoil products throughout my vehicle has been the secret to never missing a delivery. And with God…all things are possible…if we ask.
Million-Mile Formula
I knew early on that I would have to develop some type of scheduled maintenance program. Parts wear out, and I was about to put all the GM/Delco parts to an extreme test. I did not want to wait until a part wore out to replace it. I cannot afford to have a breakdown in a delivery business where the freight is time sensitive.
After talking with several drivers in the expedite business who run GM and Chevy vans like mine, I got a pretty good idea of what parts to replace before they wore out. I made up a maintenance schedule, printed it on a post-it note and attached it to my spiral notebook I carry inside my vehicle and refer to often.
Maintenance schedule provides peace of mind
- Lube:@12,500 _________
- Chg Motor Oil/Filter:@25,000 _________
- Clean Air Filter/Chg Fuel Filter:@25,000 / 40,000 _________
- Chg Serpentine Belt:@100,000 _________
- Chg Fuel Pump:@130,000 _________
- Chg Trans Oil/Filter:@150,000 _________
- Chg Rear/Diff Oil:@150,000 ________
- Chg Water Pump/Hoses:@300,000 ________
- Chg Anti-Freeze:@150,000 _________
- Battery/Alt/Tension/Idler/Pulleys:@220,000 _________
- Rotate Tires:@20,000 _________
- Chg Spark Plugs/PCV:@100,000 _________
I fill in the mileage to the right of the miles. Example: I change my oil and filter every 25,000 miles. Whatever the mileage was on my speedometer when I changed the oil, I would add 25,000 miles to that. If it were 950,000 miles, I would write 975,000 miles, and that would be my next oil change.
I found that replacing parts on my Chevy van before they wear out is good insurance against breakdowns! When I hop into the seat of my Chevy van…I always have peace of mind that it will take me anywhere I want to go.
Million-mile statistics
- Total Miles Driven: 1,000,000
- Gasoline Consumption: 68,461 gallons
- Average MPG: 14.6, including 6,112 hours idling.
- Gasoline Bill: $125,486
- Oil Changes: 50 (192 oil changes if I had used regular petroleum oil).
- Original Ball Joints: Replaced at 792,700 miles.
- Original Radiator: Replaced at 843,845 miles.
- Original AC: Replaced at 872,538 miles.
- Original Engine: Replaced at 930,599 miles.
- Exhaust System: Still original after 1,000,000 miles.
- Transmission: Still original after 1,000,000 miles.
- Tie Rods / Steering Arms Front Suspension: Still original after 1,000,000 miles.
- Bridgestone Tires: Four sets used, got over 230,000 miles out of each set.
- Windshields Replaced: Five
- Total Deliveries: 1,346 (never missed a delivery).
- Traffic Tickets: One
- Drivers: One
- Wives: One
How To Purchase Amsoil Products At Rock Bottom Prices
It only takes 5 minutes to order online or by phone…and have the product shipped to your doorstep in 2-3 business days. In 20 minutes, you can have your dealership or local repair shop change your oil…and add the Amsoil synthetic oil and filter to your engine. And just that quick…you’re up and running. And that’s not all. The best is yet to come. Become a preferred customer for $10…and purchase Amsoil products at wholesale, saving you 25%.
Amsoil Synthetic Oil:
- Allows your engine and transmission to float on a layer of lubrication
- Keeps your engine and transmission squeaky clean
- Prevents sludge and varnish build-up
- Increases fuel mileage by 4-6 percent
- Increases engine horsepower by up to 6 percent
- Eliminates block heaters…Amsoil stays fluid at -50 below
- Fewer repairs and maintenance
- Lower emissions
- Less waste oil
- A cooler running engine, transmission, and differential
And for you…a fatter wallet and peace of mind!
Have questions? Or need help in selecting the right oil and filters for your vehicle or equipment? Feel free to contact me anytime at (937) 417-1127 or jbs777@gmail.com. If you reach my voicemail, leave a message or text, and I’ll respond as soon as possible.
You can call Amsoil toll-free at 800-777-7094 Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm CST to order products.
Thank you for using my ID#516778 when ordering.
Happy Trails
John Schlimmer
www.MillionMileChevy.com
