How many Kegel Navigation patterns are you familiar with? 5? 10? Have you bowled on the fan-favorite Autobahn oil pattern? Spoiler alert! It gets heated! While the THS and other easier patterns make your game boring, Kegel Autobahn takes it to the next level! If you want to turn up the heat without breaking a sweat, this Autobahn sports pattern is just what you need. Are you soon to face this challenging oil pattern? Well, buckle up fellas! It’s going to be a fun but wild ride. So stay tuned and find out how you can slay on this sports oil pattern.
Oil Pattern Specifications
| Title | Kegel Sports Series— Autobahn (2542) |
| Distance | 42 feet |
| Total Oil Volume | 25.85 mL |
| Forward Oil | 18.7 mL |
| Reverse Oil | 7.15 mL |
| Oil Ratio | 2.44:1 |
How to attack the Autobahn oil pattern?
Looks like Autobahn is not going to be a super easy ride. Based on the pattern sheet graph, I can say, the lane is gonna play pretty flat in the middle. Although the oil ratio says it is 2.44:1, when I played it, the pattern felt almost 1:1, which is the hardest. But hey! Don’t be disheartened! Indeed, you have some challenges ahead, but there are always some tricks and tips that can get you through.
Typically, it would be wise to start with the “rule of 31” to have a general idea of your ball’s breakpoint and according to that you can decide your starting point. So this 42 feet pattern length will indicate your ball’s breakpoint around the (42-31) = 11 board. Are you thinking what I am thinking? Yes, you have to start somewhere around the 8 board. Although you can start from farther outside and slowly move inward as the pattern breaks down. I wouldn’t recommend moving too left at the beginning as the middle is considerably flat.
You can’t ignore this one unique feature of the Autobahn oil pattern which is its conditioner layout. Unlike most patterns, Autobahn contains more oil at the backend than the midlane. So if you attempt to play this pattern like any others, you will experience a completely different ball movement which is obviously not good if you want good scores. So how do you tame the Autobahn?
The Kegel Autobahn oil pattern makes the players keep their angles straighter. For longer patterns, this should be your motto- “Straighter is greater”. By keeping things straight and controlling the ball speed through the front lane, you can expect to see the best outcomes. So how do you define “controlling the ball speed”? Should you make your ball slow or fast? Well, there’s no right or wrong. While some bowlers will love a higher speed on Autobahn, others will prefer a lower speed.
When I was winning on this pattern, I kept my ball speed a little higher than I generally do. However, my friend, who isn’t a speed-dominant said that he experienced better navigation. And guess what? He didn’t even crash through the breakpoint. His moves were just as smooth. So to know what suits you best you should try this oil pattern yourself.
What are the challenges you will face while playing on this pattern?
So do you want the good news or the bad news first? Let’s go with the bad news first. There is one thing you won’t love about the Autobahn oil pattern. Unlike other Kegel sports patterns, Autobahn is far less forgiving on off-shots or your missed targets. So technically, your room for error isn’t a lot. Missed your targeted pocket? Oops! It’s gonna be a bad shot. Unless luck is in your favor! But don’t get dependent on that. Simple because it is rare to get away with off-shots on this particular pattern.
Another con of Autobahn is that you have to maintain consistency in straight shots. This is not always fun for bowlers who love to curve their balls. With this pattern being flat, you always have to look for ways to open up the lane. No matter how skilled or consistent you are, it’s highly unlikely that you will find a magic road that ensures strikes every time you roll the ball. You have to make frequent adjustments and adapt to lane transitions.
Do you not pay much attention to ball speed? Then this pattern is going to upset you. Whether you are a right or left-handed bowler, always pay attention to your ball speed. Rule of thumb— “Nothing too fast, nothing too slow”. If you throw too fast, the ball will probably go into the gutter and hit 1 or 2 pins on its way. Oppositely, a slow shot won’t have enough momentum to strike the pins after rolling down the 42 feet distance.
Which bowling ball is best for this pattern?
One factor I have mentioned here repeatedly. Can you recall what it is? Well, the pattern is quite slicked and harder to control. So naturally, you should go for something that doesn’t have a lot of shiny surfaces. A bowling ball with a minimum surface should be your choice. The rougher surface will add the reaction you need to survive the toughness.
Have you been bowling for a while now? Then you know how important it is to have spares to face patterns like this one. Trust me, a perfect game is not happening on this pattern. So put on your big boy pants and pack the spare ball, I’m telling you. My friend, Owen, won a late-night league competition using the Track Mako bowling ball which he sanded to 500, and he said it gave tremendous reactions.
After you think you have opened up the lane, try to use a ball that is close to Brunswick Nirvana (with around 1000 surfaces). The Autobahn oil pattern is also going to be like urethanes with lower grits, i.e.- Storm IQ Tour at 1000 Grit. Ebonite Game Breaker 3, Roto Grip Idol Helios, and Track Heat are some of the best bowling balls to use on heavier oil patterns. You won’t have any trouble controlling the ball’s speed.
Conclusion
And …cut! There you go, homeboys! Prepare to set a new record on the Autobahn oil pattern! No need to freak out! Autobahn is gonna support almost every kind of bowling style. So you just have to know how you will work this out. Practice, patience, and adjustment— that’s all you will be needing to get by. So keep shining like you always do and enjoy bowling and every bit of it. Good luck and see you later, my friends! Bye!
Passionate Bowler and Bowling Enthusiast
Jess Pinelli is a dedicated bowling enthusiast with a deep love for the sport that spans over 6 years. With numerous strikes, spares, and a few gutter balls under hes belt, he has honed his skills on lanes across the country. Pinelli’s journey in the world of bowling has been a remarkable one, from casual weekend games with friends to competitive league play and even a few local tournaments.
Driven by her passion for the game, Pinelli decided to channel her expertise and knowledge into the digital realm, becoming a prolific author on this bowling website. She’s your go-to source for everything bowling-related, from mastering the perfect hook to choosing the right bowling ball and even navigating the world of bowling etiquette.
When she’s not busy writing informative articles or reviewing the latest bowling gear, you’ll likely find Pinellis at her favorite local bowling alley, helping newcomers improve their game or enjoying some friendly competition with fellow bowlers. She firmly believes that bowling is not just a game but a community, and she’s committed to fostering that sense of camaraderie both online and offline.
