Amsoil Dominator vs Amsoil Interceptor

Both these engine lubricants are completely synthetic and used for 2-stroke engines. Amsoil Dominator is well-known for its superb shielding from the engine’s wear and tear meanwhile Amsoil Interceptor focuses more on thorough engine rinsing.

Dominator provides exceptional fuel economy because of its low concentrations of lighter molecules as well as high base addition thus providing superb protection against pre-mature oil burn-off along with long durations of oil replacement. The safeguarding against the engine wearing of this oil is also exceptional due to its abundant anti-wear supplement concentrations. A high kinematic viscosity makes sure that this oil will perform with superiority when the conditions are extremely hot.

Interceptor is a catalytic converter’s friendly oil that provides excellent cleaning of the engine from different contaminations. A good number of wear-diminishing compounds are included in it to provide decent shielding against engine deterioration from wear and tear. The low pour point temperature enables it to do exceptionally well during cold situations. A greater viscosity index further helps in maintaining its viscosity when the temperature rises from standard to high.

Differentiation Table

SpecificationsAmsoil DominatorAmsoil Interceptor
UsesLubricant for the EngineLubricant for the Engine
Type of oil100% Synthetic100% Synthetic
Vehicle CompatibilitySnowmobilesSnowmobiles
APITCTC
Compatibility with Engine2-stroke engines2-stroke engines
Per liter price18 US Dollars17 US Dollars

Contrasting Oil’s Prior Ignition

Fine particles available in the oil generally decide its early combustion. These particles increase oil’s rate of evaporation as these low-weight molecules would readily absorb heat generated from the engine which is more than enough for their complete vaporization. If the oil contains these molecules in significant numbers, it causes an increase in its evaporation rate and thus the oil will be less effective in terms of protection against the pre-burning.

The availability of lighter-weight molecules in minimal numbers in Dominator enables this oil to be above its counterpart. This makes it less volatile and therefore more dominant in the case of shielding the oil from pre-mature burn-off.

More number of these fine molecules present in Interceptor causes it to be highly volatile thereby reaching its flashpoint at a lower temperature as compared to its rival. Thus, this oil lags behind its competitor in terms of safeguarding the oil against preliminary combustion.

Minimizing Engine’s Friction

The problem of friction occurs when the parts of the engine continue to make contact with each other during the engine’s working. The friction resulting from this is detrimental to the engine as it causes its wear and tear. In order to overcome this issue, friction-reducing additives are made part of the engine oils known as anti-wearing compounds. Their purpose of inclusion is to construct a thin layer all around these metal parts which acts as a barrier to inhibit them from colliding with one another thus greatly lowering engine deterioration. The oil exhibiting these additives in greater amounts would thereby be more efficacious than the opposite case and vice versa.

Dominator is marginally ahead of its competitor when it comes to protection against engine wearing. This is due to the reason that this oil comprises these friction-limiting supplements in excessive amounts which enables a more vigorous layer to be formed around these moving parts thus restricting them from interacting with one another.

The concentration of primary wear-reducing compounds is lower in Interceptor in comparison with its peer. So, the problem of friction is found to be greater in the engines using this specific oil. Therefore, this oil is behind its counterpart in terms of protection from wear and tear.

Oils Working in Extreme Situations

The oil’s capability to transfer momentum throughout its layers is called its kinematic viscosity. This viscosity is of utmost importance when the performance of the oil is analyzed during temperature increments. If the kinematic viscosity of the oil is greater it will perform more dominantly during elevated temperatures. Conversely, the functioning of oil in cold conditions is characterized by its pour point temperature. It is defined as the bottom-line temperature underneath which the oil losses its streaming property. The oil containing a lower pour point temperature is found to be more efficient for use in such situations. The parameter which protects the viscosity variation in the oil when temperature switches from normal to high are known as the viscosity index. If this index is greater, the oil will go through minimal viscosity change.

Dominator is ahead of its rival when it comes to dealing and performing during extremely hot temperatures. The higher kinematic viscosity provides this oil an edge to perform with extra dominance when the temperature increment takes place than that of its peer.

However, more variation in viscosity is observed from Dominator due to its lower viscosity index. Thus, Interceptor is better at retaining the oil’s viscosity when the difference in temperature occurs. Similarly, the Interceptor maintains its superiority during frosty conditions as well because of its lower pour point temperature. This indicates that this oil could be used for extremely lower temperatures, unlike its counterpart.

Catalytic Converter Compatibility

The working of the catalytic converter gets affected due to the presence of primary anti-wear supplements in the oil. The reaction of these wear-reducing compounds with the oxidized oil causes the formation of raw material in the form of ash. This ash is highly toxic in nature and when it comes in contact with the catalytic converter it drastically reduces the converter’s efficient working. The oil possessing these fundamental compounds of wear-reduction in higher quantities will be less beneficial for smooth catalytic converter functioning.

Due to the presence of anti-wear additives (zinc plus phosphorus) in excessive amounts in Dominator, it produces a greater amount of ash upon burning. Therefore, a higher amount of ash will plunge into the converter so the working of the converter will be more affected compared to its other rival.

On the other hand, Interceptor would be more effective for proper converter working because of its lower ash-forming constituents which are zinc and phosphorus. So, it is cut above its peer in terms of catalytic converter performance.

Contrasting Engine Rinsing Performance

The engine gets contaminated with dust, dirt, or other impurities over time. These contaminants are needed to be properly rinsed because if they come in contact with the oxidized oil, they will turn into a thick black fluid called sludge. The sludge is extremely harmful to the engine as it causes hindrance to normal oil flow inside the pipes. Detergents are being made part of the oil for properly rinsing the engine thus helping in reducing the formation of sludge.

Comparatively lesser amounts of detergents are added into Dominator; therefore, the problem of sludge build-up is seen slightly more in the engine using this oil. This causes the oil to fall behind its peer in terms of restricting sludge formation.

A faintly higher quantity of detergents is being included in Interceptor as compared to the other oil. Therefore, the presence of these compounds in abundance makes this oil slightly better in cleaning up the engine from dust or dirt thereby limiting the production of sludge.

Period of Exchanging Oil Comparison   

The oil faces the issue of acid build-up upon its burning. The acids are hazardous for the engine as it enhances the problem of corrosion. For counterbalancing, these oils are enriched with alkaline-based additives. Their concentrations are generally measured in terms of TBN. This TBN value decreases as time passes because of the consumption of these bases in neutralizing the acids. So, the oil having higher TBN will be more effective for providing greater longevity and vice versa.    

Dominator provides longer periods of exchange than its counterpart. This is because of its greater concentrations of bases which take a longer time to get neutralized. Therefore, this oil is required to be replaced after a significant period of time and thus provides better fuel economy than its rival.

Alternatively, Interceptor possesses a lower TBN as compared to its peer. A lower TBN causes the oil to be replaced frequently and thus the oil gives a shorter period of replacement.

Cost Difference

There is not much of a difference between these products in terms of price. The cost of Dominator is slightly higher than its peer. The price of this oil is around 18 US Dollars for every one-liter bottle. Excellent wear protection in addition to superb performance during extremely high temperatures reimburses this higher price. The cost of Interceptor is faintly lower than its counterpart with the same packaging available at a price tag of 17 US Dollars. Its dominant performance during frosty conditions as well as its superb engine clean-ups at such an affordable price makes it one of the most economical oils.

Quick Review

  • These oils are completely synthesized in laboratories.
  • Dominator is ahead in terms of shielding against pre-mature combustion due to its lower concentrations of light molecules.
  • The higher quantities of wear-reducing compounds in Dominator make it ahead in terms of engine declining from wear and tear.
  • Interceptor possesses a lower pour point temperature making it more suitable during low temperatures.
  • Interceptor is a more catalytic converter-friendly oil.
  • Detergents are available in significant amounts in Interceptor enabling it to provide proper and thorough engine cleaning.
  • A higher TBN causes the Dominator to provide longer intervals of replacement.
  • Dominator is slightly more expensive than its counterpart.