Dog Days of Summer

Are you loading up the vehicle and breaking out the toys for a few weeks of vacation this summer?

While the heat of the summer isn’t the best time for preventative maintenance, sometimes you just don’t have the choice. You can use AMSOIL products to extend your oil change interval to twice a year or less and plan to do the work in the spring/fall to avoid the unbearable heat and cold of the seasons.

This year we’ve pushed our holiday back to December which means I’m available all summer and fall. The weekends are packed this August and early September doing road trips around southern ontario for fishing, weddings, BBQ’s and more. Which means I’m probably not available on weekends by phone to talk about AMSOIL orders – leave a message and expect a returned call late Sunday night or Monday evening.
The best way to contact me is by email and I’m still scheduling my regular Thursday trips to pickup local customer orders throughout the summer.
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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

Motorcycle vs Automotive Oils

What’s the difference between motorcycle and automotive motor oils?

Every once in a while someone wants to know why regular motor oil can’t be used in motorcycles. The short answer is that oils are formulated for specific applications. Motorcycle engines and automotive engines function differently, and the lubricants that service them have different requirements.

  1. Motorcycles operate at significantly higher operational speeds than automobiles, placing additional stress on engine components and increasing wear protection requirements
  2. Motorcycles operate with higher engine compression ratios than automobiles, placing additional stress on engine components and increasing operating temperatures
  3. Motorcycle engines produce nearly twice the horsepower per cubic inch of displacement as automobile engines
  4. Many motorcycles are air-cooled or use a combination air/oil design. Though effective, they result in greater operating temperature fluctuations, particularly in stop-and-go traffic
  5. Because the engine and transmission share a common sump, many motorcycles need a multi-functional fluid. Many motorcycles also incorporate a frictional [wet] clutch within the transmission that uses the same oil
  6. Motorcycles are typically used less frequently than automobiles. These extended periods of inactivity place additional stress on motorcycle oils. Rust and acid corrosion protection are critical

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Fathers Day PC Membership

Still trying to figure out what to get Dad for Father’s Day this year?

If he is interested in vehicles, lawn and garden equipment, powersports like motorcycles, ATV’s, dirt bikes, boats or other motorized equipment he may appreciate an AMSOIL Preferred Customer membership as a gift this year.

Simply add either the 1 year membership ($30 CAD) or the 6 month trial membership ($15 CAD) and checkout from the online store. When you create a new user account use your Dad’s personal information – but not his email address. Use your own, he’ll be able to change the email address later so you don’t ruin the surprise.

For those who wait until the last minute you can sign up through the AMSOIL online store right up until the very last second. You can also order a membership over the phone during business hours on week days at 1-800-777-7094. Renewing a membership is best done over the phone.

Don’t forget to print a copy of the confirmation to put in with his Father’s day card on Sunday.
If you need help creating an account contact me.
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Castrol Syntec @ Costco

Did you miss the sale of Castrol Syntec at Costco last week? $9 off is an ok deal on 6 quarts of “synthetic” oil but there is no need to wait for Costco to put Castrol on sale for a quality oil change at an excellent price.

AMSOIL Original Equipment is available any time you need it at wholesale pricing for 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30 or 10W-30. If you live near one of the Canadian distribution centres in the GTA or Edmonton areas you can eliminate minimal shipping charges by picking up your order directly at the distribution centre.

Your $30/year membership fee gives you access and wholesale pricing to top quality AMSOIL synthetic oils, oil and air filters – including partners like Wix, Mann and NGK.

Contact me to discuss how to get you set up with a Preferred Customer account to gain access to the private warehouse and wholesale pricing.

Price Adjustments

Two announcements that will affect the pricing of AMSOIL products have come out recently.

  1. The Eco fees for all lubricating oils (except 2-cycle oils) and fuel additives in the province of Ontario will increase. They have almost doubled going from a nickle per quart to $0.09/quart. AMSOIL does not set the Eco fee pricing but is required to collect it for “Stewardship Ontario” on behalf of the province of Ontario.

    See the chart below for the updated pricing based on the size of container.

  2. The second announcement is a minimal price increase on July 1st, 2012 due to the rising cost of raw material costs for the following products: Continue reading Price Adjustments

Mitsubishi Outlander Oil Change

I spent Friday evening making a mess changing the oil on my 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander. This was my first DIY oil change on the vehicle. Below are some notes and photos specific to the Outlander, in general it’s very similar to other vehicles but hopefully this can help some others get started. Any questions or comments post below in the comment section.
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Ready To Go Fishing?

Here in my part of Southern Ontario the sport fishing season is starting to open up soon.

People are already getting their boats on the water for perch and crappie. Trout opens today, walleye and pike open in mid-May and then bass and muskies open later in June of 2012. Check your local fishing regulations and be careful which zone you are fishing in – I can be inland or out on the Great Lakes which changes dates and locations.
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UOA: 2006 Pontiac Vibe – 14,000-kms

Posted the second UOA for my wife’s 2006 Pontiac Vibe on bobistheoilguy.com for review.

Everything remained fairly constant between the two samples. The AMSOIL XL line of oils is a pretty stout product. We ended up pushing it out to 14,000-km/7-months which is a month overdue on time and 2,000-km under in mileage for the product service life.

Fueling Up

I filled up the tanks with fresh fuel today. Just need to put the blade back on the Ariens mower and everything is ready to go for the spring season.

A dose of Quickshot SE goes into both tanks to stabilize the fuel and keep ethanol in suspension.

The 44ml pillow packet of AMSOIL Saber™ Synthetic 100:1 Pre-Mix 2-Cycle Oil is the perfect size for my string trimmer. I use it with 4L of fuel which is roughly a 90:1 ratio which lasts me all summer in that tiny engine.