Despite the title, this page has something to offer everyone. The illustrations are easy to grasp (maybe over-simplified), yet they convey the striking differences in how lubricants work. Bottom line:  AMSOIL automotive lubricants work well, whether or not you understand how they work.

AMSOIL maintains its own state-of-the-art laboratory because they are in the business of formulating, testing and delivering premium lubricants. Obviously, their own products are subjected to their own rigorous testing. However, when it comes to competitor's products, Amsoil uses outside labs for printed comparisons in order to avoid any claim of inherent bias. Though they can and do perform industry standardized tests themselves, their credibility stems from the repeated confirming results of third-party labs. I trust that the following will be helpful.

Once we grasp the following illustration, it becomes crystal clear why AMSOIL synthetic lubricants provide a superior level of engine protection. Furthermore, once the concept of "total cost of use" is understood, it also becomes more difficult for us to squander additional dollars each year on inferior lubricants.

Explanation:

The shapes under the load (between the bearing and the journal - illustrated for simplicity by the two horizontal lines) represent oil molecules. In the mineral oil example, they are irregular, come in different sizes (and shapes) and have a "thin skin". The synthetic lubricant on the other hand, has a uniform molecular structure and the structure of each molecule has a "thick skin".

The thickness of the "skin" of each molecule simply represents the molecule's polarity - that is, it's inherent resistance to "breaking down". Chemists would say that the synthetic non-polar molecules have "thermal and oxidative stability". That just means that they do not break down readily under higher temperatures and exposure to oxygen.

The mineral molecules on the other hand, are refined in a "cracking tower" which results in a mixture of polar molecules. Some of them contain sulphur and nitrogen atoms which contribute to oil contamination and breakdown.

Looking at the relative size of the "mixed soup" mineral oil reveals why it does not provide the same lubrication qualities of the synthetic. The load intially forces contact onto the largest molecules only. Because the load is not evenly distributed, these molecules will effectively "break", at which time the load will shift to smaller molecules which now make contact - and so on. I recognize that this is a gross simplification, but you get the point.