Mike Ford - AMSOIL Independent Dealer

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...