Mike Ford - AMSOIL Independent Dealer

Do Fuel Additives Work? John Baker | Nov 25, 2015 9:20:14 AM Store shelves are littered with fuel additives that claim to provide a number of benefits, including... • Increased fuel economy • Smoother engine operation • Reduced emissions • Extended engine life • Maximum horsepower Do they work? A quick Google search reveals multiple articles that claim they don’t. There must be a good reason so many people regard fuel additives with skepticism. One reason is, while most motorists expect to experience the benefits promised by fuel additives immediately , it takes several tanks of treated fuel before most additives provide any noticeable performance improvement. That doesn’t bode well in a society used to getting what it wants, when it wants it. Engine condition plays a vital ...

Do You Know the Seven Responsibilities of a Motor Oil? Ed Newman | Nov 20, 2015 8:26:43 AM There are so many things we take for granted and give very little thought to. Air is one of them. We seldom feel a need to understand what happens when we breathe, how oxygen in the atmosphere ends up in our bloodstream so as to nourish the cells of our bodies. Gravity is something else we give little thought to, even though it has a daily impact on our lives. (Be careful where your toes are when you drop something heavy.) Something else we usually take for granted is motor oil. If we've been properly trained we know we have to change it once in a while, but beyond that how many people really know why? What does motor oil really do anyway? Here are seven tasks that motor ...

from AMSOIL Newstand: Conventional Vs. Synthetics Oil, whether synthetic or petroleum-based, consists of molecular chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms, referred to as hydrocarbons. Petroleum crude oil is a thick, highly flammable dark-brown or greenish liquid with high energy densities. Many contaminating elements exist in this complex mixture of hydrocarbons, including sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen and metal components such as nickel or vanadium. Petroleum crude oil is the raw material used for a wide variety of petrochemicals, including solvents, fertilizers, plastics and lubricants. The oil refining process separates the various types of molecules in the oil by weight, resulting in a concentrated batch suitable for today’s uses such as gasoline, LPG, kerosene or base oils for lubricants. The chemical composition of conventional motor oil can vary substantially and depends on the raw crude oil refining process. While petroleum base oils are refined, ...

How to Get the Most Out of Your Turbocharged Engine John Baker | Nov 10, 2015 2:53:56 PM The industry trend toward smaller engines that deliver increased power and fuel efficiency has been well documented. The AMSOIL Newsstand contains articles about the key technologies that enable today’s advanced engines – turbochargers, gasoline direct injection (GDI) and variable valve timing (VVT). These articles have mainly addressed how these technologies affect motor oil. In short, they’re brutal on oil. It’s one of the reasons more automakers are installing synthetics at the factory. Fuel dilution can be a problem To summarize, GDI technology locates the fuel injectors directly in the cylinder (hence the name), as opposed to the manifold. This arrangement allows for great...

Drumroll, Please…Big News from AMSOIL Announced at SEMA Jamie Jarvi | Nov 3, 2015 11:42:58 AM After months of planning, we’re pleased to announce our biggest sweepstakes giveaway yet. AMSOIL is excited to present the AMSOIL ‘Devoted to Protection™’ promotion that’s set to cause a stir and get people amped up for a chance to win a true American muscle car. In November 2016, we’ll award one lucky winner a fully modified 1972 Ford Mustang Mach 1, courtesy of AMSOIL. Since our company was also established in 1972, it’s a fitting model year for this giveaway, which celebrates over four decades of AMSOIL innovation and allows us to say “Thank You” to our legions of loyal fans and customers. Our partners at Gizmo’s Hot Rods, out of Minnesota, are customizing this one-of-a-kind Mustang from front-to-rear. The Fastback with ram air hood features… ...

What Kind of Oil Does My Car Take? John Baker | Oct 29, 2015 11:30:14 AM One way to find out is to go out to your car, dig the owner’s manual out from under the napkins and pairs of sunglasses in the glove box and look it up. Or, you can consult the AMSOIL Product Guides at amsoil.com . Simply enter your vehicle information and follow the prompts. Your vehicle manufacturer will typically recommend an oil of a specific viscosity (e.g 5W-30) that meets the latest industry specifications. For most domestic cars and trucks today, it’s API SN. But some vehicle manufacturers recommend oils that meet their own, proprietary motor oil specifications. Although the practice is more common with European cars, General Motors recommends using a motor oil that meets its dexos1™ specification in many of its cars/light trucks. How do you know if your oil meets t...

Big Things Coming from AMSOIL at SEMA 2015 Jamie Jarvi | Oct 27, 2015 2:26:18 PM The 2015 SEMA Show is just a week away, kicking off November 3 in Las Vegas, Nev. As the world’s premier automotive specialty trade event, SEMA is the epicenter of the latest and greatest in automotive products, trends and technology. Here at AMSOIL we’re set to make a splash and we’ve got some surprises in store that are sure to make waves. Read on for a sneak-peek at what’s in store for next week at SEMA 2015. One of the hallmarks of the SEMA Show is the abundance of automotive eye candy found everywhere in sight. Companies display their wares on show-stopping vehicles found in booth spaces and all throughout the grounds, lending visual credence that speaks for itself. Project owners spare no time or expense to make their rides stand out in a sea of awe-inspiri...

The Handyman’s Manifesto   John Baker   | Oct 2, 2015 9:37:32 AM Many signs point to the death of the handyman – and woman. Industry statistics tell us fewer people change their own motor oil each year. In fact, by next year, 80 percent of the population is expected to take their vehicle to an auto service center, quick lube or other business to have the oil changed. The percentage is no doubt higher for transmission, differential and other, “more difficult” services. The reasons are many. An aging population. Smaller engine compartments that make performing maintenance more difficult. Sophisticated new vehicles that require specialized tools and a degree in electrical engineering just to open the hood. It’s as if car manufacturers and circumstances are conspiring to rip the ratchets from our hands. And it’s for our own good, right? Who wants to spend a gorgeous September Saturday crawling like a bug on a filthy garage floor as his or her five-year-old daughter points a...

AMSOIL Motorcycle Products: Something for Everyone Dirt Bike, V-Twin and Metric Oils fill out the AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil line. With the introduction of several new and repackaged motorcycle products this year, AMSOIL offers something for every type of biker, from motocross racers and off-road riders to V-Twin and metric enthusiasts. AMSOIL motorcycle products deliver the power, performance and protection that every biker wants, no matter the motivation for getting on the bike.  Dirt Bike To satisfy the demand for dirt-bike-specific oil, AMSOIL developed Synthetic Dirt Bike Oil in three viscosities, including  10W-40 (DB40) ,  10W-50 (DB50)  and 10W-60 (DB60) .  AMSOIL Synthetic Dirt Bike Oil is designed to deliver consistent clutch feel and improve the performance of both bike and rider. Superior clutch consistency lets off-road (trail) riders expertly navigate trail obstacles without sacrificing momentum, helping them stay at the front o...

Low-Volatility Motor Oil Helps Unlock Your Vehicle’s Performance   John Baker   | May 26, 2015 3:16:00 PM Modern engines, particularly those equipped with performance-enhancing technologies like direct fuel injection and turbochargers, generate increased heat compared to their predecessors. At elevated temperatures, such as during severe service or when driving in hot summer weather, the oil’s lighter-weight molecules can volatilize, or literally “boil off.” The more volatile a lubricant is, the lower the temperature at which the lubricant will begin to evaporate. The more it evaporates, the less oil is left to protect equipment and the faster a user must replace the lost oil. You may have experienced this phenomenon by owning an automobile that “uses” motor oil in irregular intervals. Volatility affects more than the rate of oil consumption. When light elements in oil evaporate from heat, the oil’s viscosity increases. This thicker oil forces the engine to work ha...

Today’s Complex Transmissions Require Premium Fluids The complexity of today’s automatic transmissions can baffle even seasoned technicians. Modern transmissions feature more gears, clutch packs and narrow oil passageways that require a steady supply of high-quality fluid. Without it, performance suffers and failure can ensue, leading to thousands of dollars in repairs. To make matters worse, towing and hauling capacities continue to increase despite transmissions often using less fluid than their predecessors. Maximizing transmission performance and longevity requires using premium synthetic fluids. “The fluid doesn’t just lubricate, it acts as a hydraulic fluid to enable shifting,” said Matt Erickson, AMSOIL Product Manager, Passenger Car. “Fluids that oxidize can result in damaging sludge that clogs fluid passages and results in poor performance. Transmission fluid is also exposed to high levels of shearing as it is forced between gear teeth. This can quickly break down an ...

What is Total Base Number? Generally speaking, the higher an oil’s total base number (TBN), the better its ability to neutralize contaminants such as combustion by-products and acidic materials. TBN is a measure of (alkaline) additives in the oil. Higher TBN oils are able to neutralize a greater amount of acidic materials, which results in improved protection against corrosive reactions and longer oil life. TBN levels are targeted for the intended application. For example, gasoline motor oils typically display lower TBN numbers, while diesel oils must manage the high contaminant-loading from soot and sulfur and typically have a higher TBN. TBN levels decrease as the oil remains in service. When the level reaches a point where it can no longer protect against corrosion, the oil must be changed. Oils that are formulated specifically for extended drain intervals typically display elevated TBN to ensure proper corrosion protection for the duration of the extended interval. A...

AMSOIL Synthetic Metric Motorcycle Oil: New Look, Same Great Product   John Baker   | May 6, 2015 1:23:10 PM AMSOIL  10W-30  and  10W-40  Synthetic Motorcycle Oil have become AMSOIL 10W-30 and 10W-40 Synthetic Metric Motorcycle Oil. The names and packaging have changed, but the formulations remain the same. AMSOIL Synthetic Metric Motorcycle Oil delivers superior performance for metric sport, cruiser and touring bikes. •  Smooth , confident shifts •  Cool , clean performance •  Premium  wear protection Sport Bikes AMSOIL Synthetic Metric Motorcycle Oil’s advanced synthetic technology maximizes engine responsiveness while delivering excellent wet-clutch compatibility for smooth shifts. The high speeds and rpm at which sport bikes travel can cause oil to foam. AMSOIL Synthetic Metric Motorcycle Oil controls foam, helping you confidently push the red line for maximum speed, acceleration and cornering ability. Metric Cruisers AMSO...

Outstanding Cooling-System Protection   John Baker   | May 12, 2015 2:15:00 PM A vehicle’s engine generates enough heat to destroy itself, and it is up to the cooling system to keep the engine within a safe operating temperature range. Preventive maintenance, including fluid maintenance, is essential to extending radiator and engine life and keeping them in top working order. The new line of premium  AMSOIL Antifreeze/Coolants  provides outstanding protection for cooling systems. It includes a new formulation for  Propylene Glycol Antifreeze & Coolant  and two new ethylene glycol-based coolants:  Passenger Car/Light Truck Antifreeze & Coolant  and  Heavy-Duty Antifreeze & Coolant . The two ethylene glycol coolants are pre-mixed with 50 percent water. The propylene glycol coolant is a concentrate and not diluted with water. All three products provide pricing and drain interval recommendations that are better aligned w...

BMW has attempted to settle a Federal Trade Commission charge that it illegally made warranties conditional on consumers having all oil changes performed at authorized service centers. BMW agreed to a pending settlement, saying it will discontinue the practice. On March 19, the FTC issued an administrative complaint against BMW of North America LLC. The FTC alleged that BMW’s Mini Division violated the “tie-in provision” of the Magnus-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 by stating in Mini vehicles’ owner manuals, beginning with 2012 models, that “only Mini dealers are to perform oil changes,” lest the four-year, 50,000-mile limited warranty be rejected. “It’s against the law for a dealer to refuse to honor a warranty just because someone else did maintenance or repairs on the car,” said Jessica Rich, director of the commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “As a result of this order, BMW will change its practices and give Mini owners information about their rights [to use th...

  John Baker   | Apr 7, 2015 1:35:06 PM You can't beat the versatility of an ATV or UTV. They're perfect for getting work done around your home or for surveying your farm or property. And when the work is done, they offer the perfect escape. The best part about visiting my wife's aunt and uncle's farm in North Dakota every fall is plopping my son or daughter on the seat of the farm ATV and blasting across a cut wheat field as soon as we're out of range of their mother. AMSOIL synthetic  ATV/UTV lubricants  are the latest addition to the AMSOIL product line. They provide hard-working and performance ATVs and UTVs upgraded performance and protection. ATV and UTV owners invest thousands of dollars in their machines and accessories to improve utility and performance. Owners, particularly UTV owners, often purchase expensive upgrades, including roof panels, doors, winches, skid plates and snow plows. These upgrades are done to improve UTV utility and safety and ...

Can I Mix Synthetic and Conventional Oil?   John Baker   | Apr 13, 2015 3:58:45 PM Some things simply don’t mix. Oil and water, for example. Alcohol and firearms. Around these parts, Green Bay Packers fans and Minnesota Vikings fans. With synthetic lubricants continuing to grow in popularity, the question of whether  synthetics and conventional oils  can be safely mixed often arises. I’m guilty of having mixed different types of motor oil with reckless abandon back in the day. A dash of synthetic blend to top-off my early 90s Buick Century one month and maybe a shot of cheap conventional oil the next. Though I’m sure performance suffered some, my engine never blew up as a result. So, yes, you can safely mix synthetic and conventional oil. But barring an emergency, it’s not a great idea. All motor oil, whether synthetic or conventional, is a combination of base oils and additives. Synthetic base oils are manufactured using a process that remove...