Mike Ford - AMSOIL Independent Dealer

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 ...