Mike Ford - AMSOIL Independent Dealer

Written by Daisy Quaker, AMSOIL Inc. Why does honey flow more slowly than water? Because of the difference in its viscosity. Viscosity is the measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow. Water, for example, flows much faster than honey or maple syrup (if you prefer that in your morning coffee) when poured from a container. Thin and light  describe fluids with low viscosity Thick and heavy  describe fluids with high viscosity What causes differences in viscosity? Molecules, honey (get it?) I think best in visuals, so let’s think of molecules as a group of people in a room. In one group everyone is holding hands very lightly. It’s flu season and they don’t want to get sick. On the other side of the room, everyone is holding hands fairly tightly. It’s a close-knit group, that one. If you weave through both groups and break through the chains of people, you have an easier time weaving through the first group than the second. ...

  Ed Newman | Jul 06, 2016 9:29 AM My first car was a 1961 Mercury Meteor, which I got for $125 and drove for four years. I have a lot memories associated with that car. One memory has to do with a problem butterfly valve in my carburetor. Sometimes the engine would stall when I was idling at an intersection. When this happened I had to pop the hood and shove a screwdriver down the throat of the carburetor to hold the valve open so I could get it started again and head on down the road. I became very quick and efficient at jumping out of the car to deal with this. The problem was a sticky valve that didn’t open and close as it should have. The valve controls the air/fuel mixture that is essential for an internal-combustion engine to run. Had I known about AMSOIL Power Foam at the time, I would have used it to keep the valve clean so it wouldn’t stick. AMSOIL didn’t exist when I was in school, but engines with carburetors continued to be sol...

John Baker | Jun 10, 2016 8:42 AM   The simple answer: Yes, provided the diesel oil meets the appropriate specifications and viscosity requirements of your engine. For example, if your gas engine calls for a motor oil that meets the API SN specification, you can safely use a diesel oil of the correct viscosity that meets the API SN spec. For the typical gasoline application, a diesel oil isn’t required and the more appropriate choice is a quality gasoline motor oil for both performance and value. The detailed answer: It’s common for some owners of modified gasoline-powered vehicles to favor diesel oils over their gasoline counterparts. Many assume diesel oils are more durable and more capable of withstanding the increased heat of a powerful, turbocharged engine. Others lean toward higher-viscosity oils to protect against wear, and it’s sometimes easier to find a 40- or 50-weight diesel oil than a gasoline motor oil. Others favor the incr...

John Baker   Jun 13, 2016 1:37 PM   An eye-opening news report surfaced the other day: Norway plans to ban sales of new gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles starting in 2025. Elon Musk, CEO of electric-car-maker Tesla, tweeted his approval to the plan. It turns out the news report was inaccurate, with a press release later saying, “… there is no talk of banning the sale of diesel and petrol vehicles in 2025…” However, a Norwegian political party leader also said, “No, Norway isn’t banning diesel and petrol cars – yet”. I’m interested to see how this all plays out in the years ahead as governments continue pushing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But for now, let’s focus on how you can help reduce emissions in your fossil-fuel-powered vehicle today without swapping it for a plug-in unit. Synthetic motor oils can reduce tailpipe emissions We tend to associate only the byproducts of gasoline or diesel combustion with harmful t...

John Baker |      May 26, 2016 8:59 AM Tracker Marine/Bass Pro Shops Photography As fun as it is to own a boat, they can create several headaches if you neglect maintenance. Following these tips can help you stay on the water and out of the garage performing unplanned, expensive repairs. Check trailer tire pressure and condition – If you don’t get your boat to the lake, you can’t get to the fish. Trailer maintenance is often completely forgotten. It’s not uncommon to see someone pulled over alongside the highway because their trailer tire blew out. Trailer tires typically run at higher psi than automotive tires. Check the sidewall for the correct pressure, which is likely around 50 psi. A low tire equals a hot tire, and hot tires are more likely to blow out. Check for weather cracking. Trailer tires often sit outside year-round, exposed to the sun. Replace cracked tires and store your trailer with the tires elevated during the off-...

John Baker | May 12, 2016 1:00 PM The garage. Protector of vehicles, incubator of great ideas. Many innovative companies owe their beginnings to the humble garage. Apple, Harley-Davidson and Google, to name a few. It makes sense. The house is where we make sensible decisions, do our taxes and plan our kids’ lives. The garage, however, promotes experimentation, novelty, freedom. An array of tools spread across the workbench, a sturdy vise and a welder offer the promise of ideas reaching full fruition and things getting done. When it comes to vehicle maintenance, some of us enjoy the challenge of fixing nearly any problem that arises, like replacing an old timing belt or bad starter. Given how tough it is to work on modern vehicles, some only perform oil changes, serpentine belt changes or other relatively simple tasks. Whatever your level of commitment, working in the garage simply feels good. Keeping track of receipts, dates of service or vehicle mil...

John Baker | May 16, 2016 2:04 PM Although gas is hovering around only $2.00 per gallon these days, increasing fuel economy is still a top priority for most automakers, due in large part to more strict corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) requirements on the horizon. One strategy automakers are using is widespread use of synthetic lubricants. How do synthetics increase fuel economy compared to conventional lubricants? Reducing viscosity increases fuel economy At one time, most passenger cars/light trucks used 10W-40 motor oil. Then it was 5W-30. Today, many vehicles call for 5W-20 and 0W-20 oils. And an even lower viscosity, 0W-16, is on the horizon for certain newer vehicles. The lower the oil’s viscosity – defined as its resistance to flow – the more readily it will flow. Imagine a jar of honey and a glass of water. Stirring water with a spoon requires less energy than stirring honey. The same principle applies to your engine and motor oil. ...

John Baker |     May 02, 2016 10:36 AM   Fishing opener is right around the corner for us Northlanders. It’s essentially a regional holiday, rivaled only by the opener of gun deer season in the fall. Although some boaters and anglers don’t realize it, using a dedicated marine motor oil is vital to protecting marine motors for a few reasons: • Severe operating conditions • Exposure to rust and corrosion • Fuel dilution Demanding operating conditions Marine motors are characterized by high-rpm operation that can shear the molecular structure of oil and reduce its ability to protect against wear. On average, a marine motor propelling a boat 30 mph operates at 5,000 rpm, while an automotive engine powering a car 60 mph operates around 2,000 rpm. The added heat and stress invite wear and deposits. Heavy deposits can cause piston rings to stick, leading to compression loss and reduced power. Stuck rings can also lead to catastro...

Ed Newman | Apr 29, 2016 1:48 PM The number-one function of motor oil is to act as a barrier between moving parts so as to minimize friction. There are at least three almost self-evident benefits of reducing friction: • Reduced wear, which results in longer engine life o AMSOIL shields your automobile with 75% more engine protection against horsepower loss and wear than required by a leading industry     standard.* • Reduced heat in moving parts, which lowers the overall operating temperature of the equipment • Increased engine efficiency so as to generate more power from less force What is friction? We all know what it is even if we don’t understand the mathematical equation that engineers use to express it. I remember a science lesson at some point during my school years when we were instructed to rub our hands together so we could feel the warmth generated by friction. It’s basic, but it makes a point. Friction creates heat. Learning how to start a fire is one of ...

John Baker   | Apr 22, 2016 9:06 AM   Three on the tree. Four on the floor. The transmission has contributed much to our rich automotive vernacular. With few exceptions, however, the days of manually shifting are gone. Most cars and trucks come standard with automatic transmissions. Many sports cars, long the safe haven for manual-transmission purists, have even ditched sticks for paddle shifters. A flick of your finger has replaced the satisfying feeling of letting off the gas, depressing the clutch pedal and engaging the shifter in perfect harmony. More gears equals better fuel economy Though they may not deliver the visceral connection to your vehicle like a manual transmission, automatics’ increased gears and computerized controls, which shift more optimally than all but the most skilled drivers, do increase fuel efficiency by allowing the engine to spend more time in the “sweet spot.” The “sweet spot” is simply the engine speed, measured ...

Ed Newman | Apr 15, 2016 1:17 PM   Mechanical engineer Mark Nyholm is a diesel enthusiast who is truly happy to have found a career working with something he loves. Mark is Technical Product Manager – Heavy Duty here at AMSOIL, a position for which he is well-suited being technically and process oriented as he is. Before arriving here he had experience in automotive design, aerospace design and medical device equipment design. Having so much on the line spurs him on to pay attention to the most finite of details. “And in the end,” he says, “I always want to know why.” Why did this happen and not that? Here at AMSOIL he drives his department to dig into the nitty gritty and provide solutions with lasting benefits for customers. In addition to managing our diesel oil line, Mark helps develop best-in-class diesel fuel additives. One of these is  AMSOIL Diesel Injector Clean , a product he’s al...

The complete line of AMSOIL motorcycle products ensures your bike is ready to hit the road. Bikers of all stripes are gearing up for another season of motorcycle rallies and summer road trips. Whether you’re into V-twins or metric bikes, AMSOIL synthetic motorcycle oils are dialed-in to meet the unique demands of your bike. V-Twin Motorcycles Powerful, hot-running V-twins generate intense heat, especially in slow-moving rally or parade traffic. Air-cooled bikes rely on a steady flow of air over the cooling fins to conduct heat away. Stop-and-go driving and periods of idling on hot summer days can quickly cause the engine temperature to skyrocket. If a motorcycle oil cannot withstand hot operating temperatures, its ability to provide adequate engine protection is compromised. In addition, the intense heat and mechanical action inside a motorcycle engine can cause motorcycle oils to lose viscosity, or shear. Bikes that share a sump between the e...

Most motor oils only provide minimal protection against damaging engine rust and corrosion. The effects of rust and corrosion are easy to see on the exterior of vehicles and equipment. However, they can also form on the inside of your engine if you’re not using a properly formulated motor oil. The problem is especially problematic in engines used in applications that sit idle for extended periods, including the following. Boats Motorcycles Lawnmowers Classic cars Snowblowers Despite what most people assume, motor oils have no natural ability to protect against rust or corrosion. Instead, special rust and corrosion inhibitors must be added to the formulation to provide the required protection, and some oils simply don’t contain the correct additives in the correct concentration. Idleness equals no protection During engine operation, a layer of oil coats engine parts and the crankcase walls. The lubricant film protects against rust and c...

Oil filters play a major role in the performance and longevity of an engine by removing contaminants and promoting proper oil flow. Modern engines introduce more contaminants into oil than their predecessors. To compound the issue, oil sumps are shrinking, leaving fewer detergents and dispersants to help fight the by-products of the internal combustion process. An oil filter’s capacity must improve to contend with the additional contaminants. Capacity refers to the amount of contaminants a filter can hold while still remaining effective. To understand the significance of capacity, it’s helpful to know the basics of oil filtration. Clean oil is vital to keeping engines running properly. The oil filter must remove contaminants introduced into the oil and prevent them from reaching sensitive engine parts without restricting normal oil flow. Internal sources of contamination include wear products from the rubbing surfaces of the engine, and degradat...

Improved compatibility, faster engine warm-up times and reduced engine temperatures highlight the new formulation. Dominator Coolant Boost has been reformulated with the latest organic-acid technology. The new technology adds to the benefits provided by the previous formulation, including reduced engine temperatures by up to 25ºF (previously 19ºF) in straight-water applications and up to 54 percent faster engine warm-up times (previously 45 percent). Organic acids are more robust and longer-lasting than inorganic acids, offering excellent resistance to scaling, drop-out and corrosion. They also contribute to improved compatibility; the new Dominator Coolant Boost formulation can be mixed with soft, tap and distilled water, in addition to any brand of antifreeze. Users will also notice the product is now orange in color. While racers derive the most value from Dominator Coolant Boost, it provides benefits for everyday motorists, too. Helps Racers...

AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid has been proven in the field to deliver reserve protection against heat and wear. The demands on today’s automatic transmissions have multiplied. Excessive idling, extreme temperatures and hauling heavy loads all pose threats to a transmission’s longevity. Work vehicles are consistently used in these severe-service conditions but operators are often unaware of the toll it’s taking on their transmissions. Automatic transmissions have evolved into an intricate mix of gears, clutch packs and narrow oil passageways that require a steady supply of lubrication. They have become smaller yet must withstand higher horsepower and torque. Transmission fluid must act as a lubricant protecting against intense heat and shearing, and also as a hydraulic fluid to enable shifting. Neglecting this vital fluid leads to extreme heat stress, erratic shifts and catastrophic wear. Ultimately, a time-consu...

John Baker | Jul 8, 2015 2:18:00 PM The environmental benefits of AMSOIL synthetic lubricants are well documented. • Extended drain intervals reduce the amount of waste oil entering the supply stream • Superior volatility resistance reduces oil consumption and air-pollution emissions • Maximum fuel economy reduces fuel consumption and our dependency of foreign oil However, our commitment to the environment extends beyond our products to our environmental management system, which is registered to the ISO 14001:2004 standard . For example, most of our packaging materials are obtained from responsible sources. Plastic containers are made of post-consumer resins, while cardboard boxes derive from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, whose benefits dramatically reduce waste (see chart). We partner with SmartWay® carriers to ship p...

John Baker | Mar 29, 2016 11:18:20 AM The simple answer: Compared to their predecessors, modern engines run hotter and generate more wear-causing contaminants that end up in the motor oil. For maximum protection and engine life, use a durable oil filter that uses full synthetic media. It will trap smaller particles and hold more of them compared to filters that use cellulose or blended filter media, helping you get peak performance and the most years out of your engine. The detailed answer: An oil filter has one primary function: prevent contaminants in the oil from damaging your engine. It seems simple enough. However, today’s more intense operating conditions coupled with longer oil change intervals demand use of a premium filter to get the best performance and most years out of your engine. Increased contaminants – to boost fuel econom...

Ed Newman | Mar 25, 2016 9:22:00 AM Clean is good.  It’s good to eat with clean hands, and wise to wash (clean) your vegetables before you stew them.  We brush our teeth after meals, and floss routinely in order to keep teeth free of deposits and the build-up of plaque. Clean clothes smell fresh and make us more presentable. Clean air is fresher, and healthier, to breathe. When we get a cut or abrasion, we clean it to keep the wound from becoming infected. Clean is very good. When it comes to the cars we drive, we also value cleanliness. Dirty windshields can be dangerous, and in the winter good wipers are important for keeping visibility clear. Washing your car not only keeps it looking nice, removing the road salt will help it last longer and prevent an early retirement due to r...