Tag: AMSOIL

Video: Snow Blower Maintenance

This is a new video from the AMSOIL Information series about snow thrower maintenance – including storage over the summer.

Since the temperature hit 17°C today it seems like the right time to start thinking about putting the snow blowers away and looking at preparing the mowers for fresh spring grass. The snow blower didn’t even get used this winter at our house in Mississauga so it should be a very easy job this year.

If you’ve used quickshot all winter you should now add a proper fuel stabilizer to your last tank or run/drain your tank dry before putting the machine into storage this summer.

UOA: 2006 Pontiac Vibe – 9,000-kms

I received the used oil analysis report from the Oil Analyzers lab in Edmonton and posted my results on BITOG to get some feedback.

I’m not happy with the fuel dilution in the report but the lab technician seems to think the oil is fit for use for another 5,000-km. I’m interested to see how the fuel dilution number changes as the oil approaches its end of life.

Other than that everything looks good to go for 15,000-km/6-month OCI’s in Laurens Vibe.

4-Stroke® PowerSports Synthetic Motor Oil

AMSOIL riders know few products compare to the AMSOIL Formula 4-Stroke® PowerSports (AFF) Synthetic Motor Oil.

Its 0W viscosity rating and ultra-low -60°F pour point offer maximum cold-weather protection, ensuring easy cranking, excellent cold starts on frigid winter mornings and quick post-startup protection. It also provides superior wear protection due to high levels of anti-wear additives that protect pistons and bearings, while its SAE 40 viscosity delivers a strong lubricating film for excellent protection in hard-working engines.

An issue affecting many hard-charging sleds is oil foaming. When engines reach high RPMs, churning engine parts can cause the oil to foam, inhibiting the oil’s lubricating ability, increasing heat and wear. AMSOIL Formula 4-Stroke Power Sports Synthetic Motor Oil inhibits foam for maximum performance and protection.

Ideal for your four-stroke sled, this product also provides superior protection for ATV’s, UTV’s and other powersports applications.

To learn about the different options you have to purchase this product click here.

Which AMSOIL Tier Is For Me?

Which AMSOIL tier is best for my vehicle?

This can be a tricky question that can depend on quite a few variables including: cost, value, oil quality and extended drain interval expectations. The best way to start the discussion is to introduce the 3 tiers of AMSOIL synthetic oils available:

  1. Signature Series = The top tier product that has a drain interval of up to 24,000-km/1 year
  2. Extended Life (XL) Series = API certified middle tier product for those that prefer to change their oil twice a year with a drain interval of 16,000-km/6-months
  3. Original Equipment (OE) Series = API certified introductory tier with the lowest cost synthetic in the AMSOIL line for those interested in trying AMSOIL products and maintaining manufacturer warranties by using the drain interval specified by the equipment manufacturer

Continue reading Which AMSOIL Tier Is For Me?

New Canadian Freight and Handling Rates Effective January 2, 2012

AMSOIL is implementing new Canadian freight and handling rates effective January 2, 2012. While rates have increased slightly for some provinces they have decreased for others and overall, enhance convenience for Dealers, Preferred Customers and accounts.

The old rates depicted estimated freight and handling costs only, meaning the actual cost is unknown until orders are shipped. This prevents Dealers from giving accurate quotes and sometimes causes price discrepancies for accounts and customers. The new rates depict actual freight and handling costs, allowing Dealers and customers to know the exact freight and handling charge prior to placing the order. Shipments to a small minority of outlying areas remain subject to additional interline fees.

The listing of Canadian Freight and Handling Rates is available on the AMSOIL website.
Continue reading New Canadian Freight and Handling Rates Effective January 2, 2012

AMSOIL Snowmobile Outfitters Deal

Looking to get outfitted with AMSOIL products for this snowmobile season?
We haven’t seen much snow flying here in Southern Ontario but do expect it to come soon enough – hopefully early in 2012.

I’m offering a outfitting deal where you purchase these two items together in the same cart on amsoil.com and I’ll throw in a 8oz bottle of QuickShot for you to try in your first tank of fuel but you have to pay the shipping costs.

  1. Sign up as a Preferred Customer for a 6-month trial membership
  2. Purchase a case of snowmobile oil

By signing up as a Preferred Customer – even without the bottle of QuickShot to sweeten the deal – you’ll save on your first order. At the current AMSOIL pricing if you were to purchase a case of AIT Interceptor with the $15 membership fee – you still save $21.60 over the suggested retail price in Canada. You’ll save even more on your next case or by purchasing other AMSOIL products for your other equipment as you won’t have the PC membership overhead.

Contact me for details and to work out any shipping costs for your bottle of QuickShot.
Continue reading AMSOIL Snowmobile Outfitters Deal

Snow Blower Oils

I’ve updated these suggestions – please click here to see my new snow blower recommendations.

AMSOIL has a variety of oils that will protect your snow blower this winter. The first step when deciding what oil to run in your snow blower is to read the users manual. Usually it suggests a 5W-30 or synthetic 0W-30 oil since you’ll be running the equipment in sub-zero temperatures.

Every time someone asks me what oil they should use in their snow blower it usually leads to a much longer conversation as I end up asking these questions.

  • Do you have a 2-stroke or 4-stroke engine on your snow thrower?
  • What oil are you currently using in your vehicles or other OPE?
  • How cold do you expect winter to be in your area and where do you store your snow blower?
  • Do you purchase fuel that doesn’t contain ethanol?

Continue reading Snow Blower Oils

Can I change my oil and forget about it for a year?

AMSOIL’s Signature Series line of products has a service life of:

  • Normal Service – Up to 40,000 kilometres or one year, whichever comes first.
  • Severe Service – Up to 24,000 kilometres or one year, whichever comes first.

Here in Canada everyone is limited to the Severe Service schedule so that simplifies things even more. But knowing the service life of the product doesn’t mean you can simply forget about your oil or your vehicle until the mileage or the time expires. That is the same service interval as 4 “normal” oil changes!

Below are some situations when you should check your oil level:
Continue reading Can I change my oil and forget about it for a year?

How To Cross Reference NGK Spark Plugs

I’ve got an old beat up snow blower that needs a new plug for the Tecumseh Sno-King engine.
There is a Champion plug in there right now with the model number RJ19LM.

The easiest way to find the AMSOIL NGK plug stock number is to use the NGK Plugs and Wires Cross Reference found on the right side links of the amsoil.com website.

Type in “RJ19LM” into the Manufacture Part Number text box and click the “Cross Reference” button to look for matching plugs/wires.

It will return a table similar to this or an empty table if a matching product can’t be found:

Part Type        NGK Part Number      AMSOIL Stock Code      
Plugs BR2LM NGK5798

Vacation

I’m going on vacation to Europe for 3 weeks. Really looking forward to getting away this fall.
We’re stopping off in Munich, Germany to see Oktoberfest first hand and then making our way on to Italy for 2.5 weeks to do a bit of hiking and lots of eating!

The last day to place an order for in-person pickup is Tuesday September 13. I’ll be back October 10th and will start taking personal orders again.

If you spend more than $100/year on AMSOIL products you should experiment with adding a Preferred Customer membership to your cart once you’ve added your products. The online application automatically discounts the products with a PC membership in the cart and if you remove it the pricing goes back to suggested retail.