Category: Maintenance

The Perfect Spring Package

The snow has all melted away and we’re starting to get a bit of cabin fever here in Southern Ontario. Our lawn equipment gets an oil change in the fall so all there is to do is to put some quickshot in the gas can and fill up the tanks.

Here are two products that go hand in hand. One makes the grass grow thick and strong while the other protects your outdoor power equipment for another year.

The AGGRAND Hose-End Sprayer kit (G1102) is an easy way to spray the quart sized bottle onto your lawn and garden. A quart sized bottle should give you 2 to 3 feedings for an averaged sized lawn.

AMSOIL Upgrades ATF Specifications

AMSOIL’s ATF products have been elevated to the Signature Series family, now known as Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) and Signature Series Fuel-Efficient Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATL). While formulations and pricing remain unchanged, the robust nature of these products was further proven in intense field testing allowing AMSOIL to introduce new application and service life recommendations. Field testing was conducted in Las Vegas taxi cabs. As you can imagine, Las Vegas cabs endure continuous stop-and-go conditions in extreme desert heat which makes it an excellent location to test these products.

Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF and Fuel-Efficient Synthetic ATF offer the most benefits in applications where heavy towing, elevated temperatures and challenging terrain are common. As transmission sumps are shrinking these robust fluids offer piece of mind and the ability to extend service life in some applications.

I’m excited to see the addition of the Mitsubishi ATF J2 specification to the Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF (ATL). This will directly apply to my 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander and is great to see an after market fluid for this application.
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Harley-Davidson FXDB Dyna Street Bob MCV 20W-50 Torture Test

To demonstrate its extreme-heat protection qualities, AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MCV) was subjected to a dynamometer test designed to simulate conditions even more extreme than the demanding stop-and-go driving conditions of a motorcycle rally or parade route.

A 2012 Harley-Davidson FXDB Dyna Street Bob motorcycle equipped with AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil was operated for 68.5 minutes at low speeds, with significant idle time broken by engine revving and little to no air moving across the cylinders. Like most Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the Dyna Street Bob features an air-cooled V-twin engine, which relies on cooling fins arrayed along the cylinder walls to conduct heat away. Continue reading Harley-Davidson FXDB Dyna Street Bob MCV 20W-50 Torture Test

Snow Blower Oils Revisited

A post I made in 2011 talked about how to select an oil to use in your snow blower. Things have changed recently in the minimum API specification of automotive oils that have outdated those suggestions.

The new API SN specifications have lowered the amount of ZDDP anti-wear additives so much that I’ve decided to no longer suggest regular vehicle oil to be used in air cooled lawn and garden equipment. Air cooled equipment is abused and works so much harder in a much more difficult environment than your daily driver liquid cooled vehicle.

The cost of a quality oil – which is just a few dollars more – versus the possible repair bill is something you’ll have to choose. I made my choice based on my recent experience with an over rev’ing situation which needed the extra protection of an oil designed for air cooled outdoor power equipment.
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New Snowmobile Application Tool for AMSOIL Products Released

AMSOIL has released a new online application guide that can help you find the correct AMSOIL synthetic oil and related product information for your snowmobile. It covers Arctic Cat, Ski-Doo, Polaris and Yamaha models from today and back to the 1990′s.

Test out the AMSOIL Snowmobile Product Application Guide

Enter the year, make and model into the guide and it will provide you with following information, specific to your model.

  • AMSOIL synthetic two or four-stroke engine oil
  • AMSOIL chaincase fluid
  • Engine coolant
  • The service life of the fluids for your application
  • Oil filter part # (for four-stroke engines)
  • NGK spark plug or wire-set part numbers
  • Fuel capacity

Amsoil also provides and updates extensive application guides and cross reference tools for auto & light truck, motorcycle, ATV, marine and more.

These are great tools to help you to discover and research the fluids and specifications required for your equipment. As always though the main source of information should be your owners manual.

Mitsubishi Outlander Transmission Drain & Fill

I’ve decided to do a yearly drain and fill on my 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander transmission fluid instead of the flush every 2 years as suggested in the manual. The dealership flushed the fluid after the first two years so I’m sure most of the contaminants from break-in are out of the system and now it’s just a matter of keeping the fluid fresh and making sure it isn’t breaking down. Transmission fluid quality is important for all vehicles but what stresses it the most is high fluid temperatures which can be generated while towing or on loose surfaces like sand and to a lesser extent snow.

Amsoil doesn’t sell a transmission fluid that meets the specifications of the DiaQueen J2 fluid for this vehicle at this time. I appreciate that the company does not push consumers to a generic ATF product if it doesn’t meet the spec. Amsoil stands behind their lubricants with their warranty secure program so if the application guide suggests an Amsoil product for your vehicle you can use it with confidence.
Continue reading Mitsubishi Outlander Transmission Drain & Fill

Fall Maintenance

The leaves turning, nights getting cooler and mornings crisper is a signal that the seasons are changing. It’s time to start thinking about putting away summer equipment while looking over any winter gear that may need some work before the snow flies. Don’t forget to maintain those daily drivers to help them make it through another winter.

The fall is the perfect time to change the oil on your daily driver if you’re on an extended 6-month/15,000-km schedule using either the Signature Series or the XL Series from the 3 tiers of AMSOIL engine oils. Our 2005 Vibe was changed last weekend and is now good until May of 2013 or 20,000-kms.

I think it’s too soon to put the bikes away but those early morning starts without synthetics in the crank case may become a bit more harsh. Try one of the AMSOIL motorcycle oils to help with extream temperatures like cold starts and hot idling in the heat of the summer. In my opinon fresh oil is the best way to store any piece of equipment/vehicle. AMSOIL motorcycle oils have excellent anti-corrosion additives that lesser oils may be lacking.

How do you remember what needs to be done? Especally if you’re maintaining the equipment for an entire house, family or small fleet?
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OE 5W-20 and 5W-30 Now Available in Gallons

AMSOIL Original Equipment Synthetic Motor Oil is ideal for cost-conscious customers and customers hesitant about taking advantage of extended drain intervals. Now OE 5W-20 (OEM) and OE 5W-30 (OEF) are available in gallon containers – no mention yet of the other viscosities and if they will be available in gallon containers.

  • Provides excellent wear protection
  • Delivers optimum fuel economy
  • Maintains low emissions
  • Protects in all temperatures
  • Helps keep engines clean

I don’t normally stock OE oils but put your order in before my weekly trip to the distribution centre on Thursday evenings. Contact me to place an order or if you have any questions.

AMSOIL Synthetic Power Steering Fluid Reformulated

AMSOIL has given their Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Power Steering Fluid a formulation tune-up to meet more specifications than ever. This fluid now covers most all applications to go with its other merits which include all-weather capabilities and smooth performance.

Like many components on your vehicle, the power steering system will benefit greatly from a good synthetic fluid. Synthetics have the innate ability to resist breakdown in extreme heat and yet remain fluid under frigid conditions. That painful growling noise that you hear during cold start-ups is your power steering pump starving for oil. This product virtually eliminates that issue, providing tremendous year-round wear control and smooth operation. The power steering system is one of those over-looked maintenance items, but the benefits offered by this inexpensive upgrade are well worth it.

Here are the latest specifications met by AMSOIL Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Power Steering Fluid:
Continue reading AMSOIL Synthetic Power Steering Fluid Reformulated

AMSOIL Motorcycle Octane Boost Available in Canada

AMSOIL Motorcycle Octane Boost (MOB) is now available in Canada.

MOB increases octane for power and efficiency. It is designed to improve startup performance and eliminate engine ping and knock for increased power at low-rpm operation.

MOB also contains detergents that help combustion chambers and fuel delivery systems maintain cleanliness for optimum performance. At the recommended treat rate, it does not harm catalytic converters or oxygen sensors.
Continue reading AMSOIL Motorcycle Octane Boost Available in Canada