Mike Ford - AMSOIL Independent Dealer

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...