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Rust, Corrosion and Degraded Fuel Can Attack Unprepared Equipment in Storage With winter approaching, many of you will be putting equipment such as motorcycles, lawnmowers and personal watercraft into storage. Though it can be tempting to park it out of sight after the final use and hope it starts again next season, such action (or inaction) can have serious consequences. Engines left unprepared for storage can suffer from fuel degradation, condensation and corrosion. The results can lead to poor performance, costly repairs or replacement, so it makes sense (and cents) to prepare equipment for the off-season so it’s protected and […]

Chrysler Motor Oil Consumption Guidelines Chrysler has adjusted its acceptable motor oil consumption guidelines for 2012-2013 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep gasoline vehicles (Chrysler Bulletin #09-001-12 Engine Oil Consumption Guideline): First 50,000 miles of engine life: one quart per 2,000 miles Engines with over 50,000 miles: one quart per 750 miles Aggressive driving conditions: one quart per 500 miles AMSOIL recommends all customers check their motor oil levels on a regular basis until an oil consumption pattern is discovered, and top-off as necessary. We have customers, who owned GM vehicles, who were told by their GM auto dealership that GM would […]

 Get Hours of Trouble-Free Enjoyment out of your Two-Stroke Outboard and Personal Watercraft (PWC) this Season Maintaining today’s two-stroke marine motors can intimidate even experienced enthusiasts. Like passenger cars/light trucks, many two-stroke outboard motors come equipped with computerized controls and sophisticated fuel-injection systems designed to deliver the extra power enthusiasts want while providing the reduced exhaust emissions the government mandates. The leaner gas-to-oil ratios these engines use mean less oil is available to lubricate and protect a hotter, more powerful engine, inviting deposits and wear that threaten engine performance and life. Using AMSOIL HP Marine Synthetic 2-Stroke Oil is one […]

 An Evaluation of AMSOIL Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF and Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil Operated under Severe-Service Conditions for Extended Drain Intervals Few applications place more stress on lubricants than taxi cabs, particularly those operating in the desert heat of Las Vegas, NV. The combination of excessive idling, stop-and-go driving and high ambient temperatures creates the ideal scenario for lubricant failure, resulting in sludge formation and catastrophic component failure. Fleet vehicles, heavy-duty pickups, work trucks and other commercial applications operate under severe service. In addition, drain intervals are getting longer. For engines and transmissions to last as designed and […]

A Comparative Study of SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oils Over many years, AMSOIL Inc. has been known in the industry as the “king of comparison.” One of the reasons for this is what many people know about motor oils is only what they read in an advertisement. As a result, AMSOIL has endeavored to educate consumers to the actual differences between lubricants, synthetic and conventional. Synthetic lubricants can provide benefits conventional oils cannot provide. In addition, all oils are not the same, even synthetics. All oils, synthetic or conventional, are not created equal. We believe that an educated consumer can make an informed decision. […]

AMSOIL and Warranties The Magnuson-Moss Act is a U. S. federal law which states that a manufacturer may not require the use of a specific brand of aftermarket product, including lubricants, unless that part is provided by the manufacturer free of charge. (emphasis added). Misleading OEM Practices OEM’s often suggest in owner’s manuals, advertisements or through dealership personnel that motorists and enthusiasts must use the OEM-branded oil to comply with the new vehicle or equipment warranty. Some OEMs include warnings of catastrophic engine failure should a non-OEM oil be used. These tactics are especially pervasive in the powersports market and […]

The Functions of a Lubricant Modern motor oil is a highly specialized product carefully developed by engineers and chemists to perform many essential functions. A motor oil must: Permit easy starting Lubricate engine parts and prevent wear Reduce friction Protect against corrosion Keep engine parts clean Minimize combustion chamber deposits Cool engine parts (heat transfer properties) Seal combustion pressures Resist foaming (air bubbles do not lubricate and cause wear) Aid fuel economy Motor oil quality has changed dramatically in the past 30 years, and new demands on lubricants in modern engine designs call for oils that meet stringent requirements. Think […]

Reasons for Motor Oil Consumption AMSOIL Inc. issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) MO-2004-04-03 several years ago outlining reasons for motor oil consumption. Forty reasons are listed, two of which are oil-related, and the balance of issues are mechanical in nature. (The two oil-related reasons are “dirty oil” and overfilling the crankcase). It should be noted that a degree of consumption should be anticipated in all engines. What is considered normal oracceptable, however, will vary from one engine or application to the next. Some OEM’s (original equipment manufacturers) will not entertain oil consumption complaints from customers unless consumption is greater than one quart […]

AMSOIL products were promoting environmental sustainability long before it became fashionable. Today, AMSOIL’s environmental management system extends well beyond the products and has been registered to the ISO 14001:2004 standard.   In 1972, AMSOIL produced the first synthetic motor oil recommended for 25,000-mile/one-year drain intervals. It struck a blow against the wasteful practice of changing oil every 3,000 miles/three months. Today, many lubricant manufacturers have followed the AMSOIL lead and introduced extended-drain motor oils of their own, while original equipment manufacturers (OEM’s) now recommend drain intervals of up to 15,000 miles, and longer if using electronic oil life monitoring systems. […]

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) has recently issued a number of consumer warnings regarding low-cost lubricants on the market that could damage engines and transmissions. PQIA issued an alert in January for Super XXX and Liberty Gold Plus SMO motor oils; an alert in December for Super Star, Royal Star, City Star and Royal lubricants; and an alert in November for City Star and Everclear automatic transmission fluids. Among the problems cited with the lubricants are very low viscosities, lack of additives and high silicon levels. AMSOIL has earned a reputation in the industry for manufacturing to more […]