Pecuniary Articles

Special Bonus: Things you should know about Car Care and AMSOIL Products Sensible Answers to Questions About Automotive and Equipment Maintenance With AMSOIL Premium Products

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Newsletter Articles:

• Your Answers for the High Mileage Motor Oil Market -- AMSOIL has a superior performing motor oil for most high mileage customers. Customers that are thinking about a high mileage engine oil for their vehicle fall into one of four categories. Which category are you?
• AMSOIL ATF Exceeds General Motors DEXRON®-III Requirements -- As automatic transmissions have become increasingly complex, the performance requirements of transmission fluids have increased. Reduced fluid sump volumes, continuously slipping torque converter clutches, six-speed transmissions and increased power densities significantly increase the level of stress put on a lubricant. In response, General Motors recently introduced a higher quality factory fill ATF, and in order to ensure their transmissions continue to receive adequate protection, they have upgraded their DEXRON®-III specification for service fill transmission fluids.
• Investing in the Best Quality Hydraulic Fluids -- Why should you consider buying only the best quality hydraulic fluids? Many buyers asking this question are torn between buying an inexpensive hydraulic fluid for a couple of dollars per gallon or paying eight to ten times as much for the best performing hydraulic fluid on the market. The decision for educated buyers is quite clear.

A NOTE ABOUT WARRANTIES   Some dealers and sellers will tell you that, in order to maintain the warranty on your boat engine, personal water craft, four-wheeler, snowmobile, lawn mower, motorcycle, car, truck or other equipment, that you must use the motor oil, filters or greases sold by the dealer or manufacturer, otherwise you will "void" the warranty. This is not true except in rare situations!    First, your warranty can not be voided. A manufacturer may reject a claim against a warranty on a single component due to some action beyond its control (such as lack of maintenance or abuse), but this does not "void" a warranty on other components.    Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act, an engine or vehicle manufacturer can make a warranty conditioned on the use of a specific brand of motor oil or related lubricant only if those products are provided free of charge    If the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) product is not provided free of charge, the manufacturer must produce a Federal Trade Commission waiver exempting it from the conditions of the Magnuson-Moss Act.    Usually, the manual provided with the equipment will provide a minimum specification that lubricants or other maintenance products must meet to provide the proper operating performance. This may include an SAE viscosity grade, an API performance level for oil, an NMMA standard for two-cycle oils, etc. AMSOIL provides a listing of specifications its products meets or exceeds on individual product data sheets available at our Technical Data Sheets page. Know your rights and don't allow someone to fool you into thinking you must purchase more expensive and/or lower quality products from the dealer or manufacturer when AMSOIL products will provide superior performance and protection.    For a thorough explanation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act, and to understand the provision relating to a manufacturer's right to require a certain brand of oil, filter or other product to be used to keep a warranty in tact, see the following on-line pamphlet provided by the Federal Trade Commission entitled "Understanding the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act". Specifically, read the section: "What the Magnuson-Moss Act Does Not Allow" and review the section "Tie-In Sales" Provisions at the following link: Magnuson-Moss Act.

• API Comparative Motor Oil Testing -- AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil and 10 competing convention and synthetic 10W-30 motor oils were subjected to a series of API motor oil tests. The impressive test results show AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil outperformed the competitors in each test.
• AMSOIL 10W-30 Motor Oil Test Proves Three Times the Performance -- The Sequence IIIF test is a stringent API SL, ILSAC GF-3 test designed to measure oil thickening, oil consumption and piston deposits in high-temperature service, as well as provide information on valve train wear. After running for three times the prescribed test length, AMSOIL still met performance requirements others could not.
• The Truth Behind Extended Drain Intervals -- Lubes-n-Greases Magazine reviews why drain intervals are not being extended by big oil companies.
• Drivetrain Fluids -- The purpose of a vehicle’s drivetrain is to draw energy from the vehicle’s engine to provide the thrust needed to induce motion. Through changes in gear ratio, the drivetrain adapts available torque to tractive force. Different components require different lubricants.
• Oil Pump Prime -- Immediately after an oil change, one of the most confusing issues to face the typical do-it-yourselfer or professional mechanic is lack of oil pressure on engine start-up. Although not a common occurrence, it is very possible that the oil pump may lose its prime during the oil change.
• Algae-X Units Tested -- Independent testing demonstrates improved fuel consumption, and lower exhaust, particulate matter emissions.
• Engine Oil Sensors & Extended Drains -- How has new automotive technology affected oil drain intervals?
• Seals – A Critical Resource -- Experienced technicians know that seals found in industrial equipment can create both problems and solutions, and that they are critical to the operation of many types of machinery. Failure of a seal can spell big trouble.
• Dodge Oil Sludging Problem -- Dodge Recall for internal oil leak that causes engine sludging.
• Use Less Foreign Oil The Easy Way -- With the merger of major oil companies, Big Oil = Foreign Oil. You can fight back without hardly even working at it!
• The AMSOIL Warranty and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act -- If you don't know the details about the law that protects your rights when it comes to warranties, here is a detailed explanation.
• Toyota Sludge -- Toyota automobiles have long had a great reputation for quality, but it seems they are getting into the same rut as other auto makers with a recent problem getting publicity regarding engine sludging. What is the cure?
• The History of Oil Filtration -- One of the most important functions of motor oil is to capture and suspend contaminants and wear particles, preventing premature wear on an engine's internal parts. Acting alone, motor oil would quickly become saturated with these contaminants and wear materials and would require very frequent changing, perhaps as often as every 500 miles, in order to effectively guard against wear.
• XL-7500 Chat -- An interview with James Thomas, the manager of a Texaco Quick Lube Center in Minnesota, about the AMSOIL XL-7500 oil change program.
• Knocking Down Foam -- Foam inhibition is an important function of a motor oil’s additive system.
• Bearing Basics -- Bearings are essential to the operation of rotating equipment They require lubrication in order to minimize wear and friction. Proper lubrication increases bearing life.
• A Look at Snowmobile Exhaust Power Valves -- Mounted in the exhaust port of certain snowmobile models, exhaust power valves are devices designed to improve combustion efficiency. Routine maintenance can be eased with the use of AMSOIL Synthetic 2-Cycle Oil and AMSOIL Power Foam.
• Hydraulic Oil Basics -- Hydraulic Oils are sold by virtually every oil company and encompass a wide range of viscosities and performance characteristics, intended for a broad range of applications, including underwater and high-temperature applications. There is a wide range of quality, reflected by prices that vary all over the board. Understanding the differences, what additives are required, and the applications is important to picking the right fluid.
• Fighting Engine Deposits -- Because combustion deposits can cause extensive damage in an engine, motor oil manufacturers use a full arsenal of additives in order to guard against their formation. Detergents keep the engine’s metal surfaces clean and protect against the degrading effects of combustion byproducts on both the oil and the engine’s parts, while dispersants keep soot and wear particles suspended in the oil, preventing their coagulation into larger particles that form sludge, clog the engine oil passageways and starve the engine of lubrication.
• After Market Additives -- AMSOIL has long discouraged motorists from using any kind of aftermarket lubricant additive. After all, AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants use the finest quality synthetic basestocks and additive systems. In the "Questions and Answers About AMSOIL synthetic Motor Oils" brochure, in response to the question "Should oil additives or aftermarket products be added to AMSOIL motor oils?" it states, "No, you don't need them. AMSOIL motor oils are formulated under the strictest quality control standards to provide superior lubrication performance. Additives cost money and only detract from the quality of AMSOIL motor oils." The Federal Trade Commission's recent lawsuit against zMax auto additives reinforces this philosophy.
• Lubrication Basics -- Lubrication can be a daunting obstacle to someone unfamiliar with its basic concepts. Even someone with experience can be confused by the technology of current machinery combined with the multitude of lubricants available on the market today. Reviewing a few of the basic principles of lubrication can make it easier to see why proper lubrication is necessary in every application.
• The Great Extended Drain Debate -- In a Lubricants World interview, the president of Jiffy Lube International takes on the issue of extended drain intervals. And he makes it clear why they spend so much money to get you to change your oil more often. Hint: It’s not because you need to!
• Tough Demands for Food Grade Lubricants -- Lubricants used in the processing and packaging of food are under increased scrutiny.
• When Synthetic Is Not Really Synthetic -- Many of the products on your local store shelves say they are Synthetic Motor Oil, but what they call synthetic may not be what you call synthetic.
• Tests Prove AMSOIL Greases Offer Superior Protection -- AMSOIL Synthetic greases were recently included in a series of tests designed to determine how different greases perform under normal and severe operating conditions.
• Add-on Filters Expected To Gain Popularity -- Tighter air emissions standards will cause an increasing number of truckers to consider bypass filtration.
• Clogged Filters, Dirty Tanks? -- Most engine failures originate in the fuel tank.
• Fram Filter Comparison -- Fram claims a 98 percent single pass efficiency for their filters. Look deep inside, and you will see that the comparison numbers are misleading.
• The Development of Synthesized Motor Oils -- One of the transforming developments of our century has been the discovery of the process of organic synthesis, the combining of the raw materials of production into a nearly limitless array of plastics, films, fabrics and fluids. One by-product of this process has been the development of synthetic motor oil.
• The Environment and Hydraulic Fluids -- With states and municipalities increasingly recommending environmentally friendly hydraulic fluids, fleet managers are discovering the many benefits of synthetics.
• The Perfect Business -- The perfect business may not exist, but it's helpful knowing what we are looking for and dealing with.
• Where Do Trucking Fleets Spend Their Money? -- A Lubrizoil Heavy Duty Diesel Oils survey reveals the cost distribution of U.S. Trucking Fleets.
• Dump Truck Company Shows Savings With AMSOIL -- The owner of a fleet of 35 dump trucks finds that, when analyzing the use of AMSOIL, the numbers really do add up!
• ALGAE-X And Magnetic Fuel Conditioning Recognized As Effective Cure -- Although diesel fuel problems are not thought of much in truck, construction equipment, RVs or other land based equipment, it's use in marine equipment is much more tentative. Diesel fuel is a haven for microbial contamination that can wreak havoc on fuel filters, pumps and injector systems.
• How NOT to Prolong Engine Life -- Oil Analyzers, Inc., recently performed oxidation testing on samples of new motor oil treated with chlorinated after market oil additives and compared the results to oxidation testing of untreated new motor oil in an effort to determine the cause of severe sludging in the filed.
• Maintain Power with AMSOIL Diesel Oils -- When you notice reduced performance in the Navistar/International diesel engine equipped vehicles, AMSOIL diesel oils can help address the problem.
• A Defining Moment for Synthetics -- Synthetic Motor Oil is explained and defined in this reprint of the article A Defining Moment for Synthetics from Lubricants World magazine. This article reviews the facts and circumstances around the suite brought by Mobile against Castrol regarding their claims that Castrol Syntec is a synthetic oil that provides the best possible protection.
• Moly's Performance Confirmed -- Molybdenum disulfide (moly) as an additive is widely recognized as an excellent extreme pressure additive in many applications. Lubricants World reports its performance as "unsurpassed".
• Improved Filtration Pays -- Improved filtration? How much better should oil filtration be, and how good is good?
• From the President's Desk -- AMSOIL’s President and CEO sets out his thoughts and comments in a Company magazine called Action News each month. The September issue provides a unique perspective of synthetic motor oils business since AMSOIL introduced the first one back in 1972, and also provides some insight into why AMSOIL is a Multi-Level Marketing company. I've reproduced it here From the President’s Desk.
• Pennsylvania Plant Turns to Synthetics -- Here is a short article of what a Pennsylvania Co-Generation Plant experienced when they switched over to synthetic lubricants. The cost savings are significant.
• The Best Offense is a Good Defense -- Short trips are the worst thing you can do to a vehicle. But what the effects are is not widely recognized. This article will give you a good understanding of the effects low mileage driving and short trips have on you engine, and how AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil and By-Pass Filtration Systems can help.
• The Skeptics are Answered -- I've had a number of skeptics look at the heavy duty truck testimonials that have expounded on the extended drain capabilities of AMSOIL in over-the-road trucks, and comment on how that type of driving is well suited for extending drain intervals. AMSOIL’s Series 3000 Synthetic SAE 5W-30 Heavy Duty Diesel Motor Oil has provided one dump truck company with oil drains 21 times longer than those recommended by the truck manufacturer.
• Dealing with the Ford PowerStroke -- The PowerStroke diesel engine popular in Ford pickups and vans has a unique use for it's motor oil that presents challenges to the maintenance and operation of these engines. This is an e-mail mail response to an inquiry that discusses some of these challenges and demonstrates how motor oil considerations can apply to other applications.
• Read about what real snake-oil is all about -- In the latest initiative targeting ads that use deceptive performance claims to tout motor oil additives, the Federal Trade Commission has charged the marketers of Dura Lube Super Engine Treatment and Dura Lube Advanced Engine Treatment, as well as the seller of Motor Up Engine Treatment, with making unsubstantiated and deceptive advertising claims.
• The History of Synthetic Motor Oil -- Although the orgin of synthetic oil goes back to 1877, it was Al Amatuzio, with his AMSOIL 100% Synthetic SAE 10W-40 Motor Oil that brought Synthetics to the automotive industry. This article gives a historical perspective to the development of synthetic motor oil and how the big oil companies, now each with their own "revolutionary" synthetic motor oil on the market, are really just "Johnny-come-latelys".
• Cummins Engine Company's 1988 report documents the benefits of by-pass oil filtration -- Back in 1988, Cummins reported that using bypass filtration in conjunction with conventional full flow filtration can reduce wear by 91%. This article, reproduced with permission from Fleet Equipment magazine, provides proof positive of the need for this supplemental filtration system.
• Service Life Table of AMSOIL Motor Oils and Filters in Various Applications -- Here is a table that shows what AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil is recommended by AMSOIL for various applications and what oil change and filter change interval is recommended.
• Advertising Claims and Other "Myths" -- There are advertising claims that can lead you astray, and there are myths that you have taken as gospel for many years. A little of both are exposed in this article.
• The Right Environmental Choice -- Automotive use, automotive maintenance, and motor oil can hardly be viewed as environmentally friendly, but AMSOIL provides an opportunity for the performance enthusiast and cost conscience driver to also contribute to a cleaner environment and better world for our kids.
• An analysis of the benefits of extended oil drains to customers and Oil Change Professionals -- Customers often look at the low price of a 3,000-mile oil change and don't see the benefits of a synthetic oil over the long run, and the Quick Lube or Automotive Service Professional thinks they will loose money from promoting extended oil drains. This article analyses costs and benefits to show where the dollars fall, and everybody wins!
• Microns - Part 2 -- Many people looked at the discussion on the Micron Wars (see past newsletter articles below) and asked: "What's a Micron?" Here's the answer!
• Oil Analysis with Oil Analyzers, Inc. -- Oil analysis is readily available through Oil Analyzers, Inc. They know oil analysis as do other labs who handle oil analysis, but they also know AMSOIL Synthetic Oil and know how to evaluate the oil to determine its suitability for extended use, something other labs don't do.
• Magazine Selects AMSOIL Series 2000 20W-50 Racing Oil The Best -- Fast Fours and Rotaries tested AMSOIL against 10 other high performance oils in lab analysis and dynamometer testing with unsurprising results.
  
• Why Multi-Level Marketing??? -- An effective means of marketing that provides you the opportunity to be your own boss and work as hard or passively as you want.
• AMSOIL Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid -- Fluid for smooth shifting and heavy duty performance in towing and other demanding conditions.
• Chlorine & Engine Oils: A Good Mix? -- A re-print of an excellent Lubes & Greases Magazine article addressing the current crop of Chlorinated motor oil additives on the market today, and whether they are good for your engine.
• The first step toward better oil analysis - - taking a proper sample -- Proper sampling procedures and the importance of oil analysis.
• AMSOIL Tri-Gard Engine Protection Program -- Without Oil Changes! -- AMSOIL has had the Tri-Gard Engine Protection Program, a 3-step program that protects your engine better without oil changes, for many years. Imagine a system that provides better protection without changing you oil!
• To Use or Not To Use Aftermarket Motor Oil Additives -- Your gas gauge tells you when your gas tank's full, but there's no gauge to tell you whether or not your oil's protecting your engine. That's what gives oil additive makers a market.
• You Know What Really Pisses Me Off...? -- Discussion of extended drain intervals now becoming available with new class 8 trucks.
• AMSOIL Introduces New Motor Oil Product Line -- A new synthetic oil geared to the quick-lube market offering 7,500 mile/6 month drain intervals.
• 2 get the best from your 2 cycle applications . . . use AMSOIL Synthetic 100:1 2-cycle oil! -- Why does AMSOIL's 2-cycle oil provide superior performance?
• AMSOIL: "The First in Synthetics":The Company of Firsts -- Documented History of Innovation and Leadership
• AMSOIL Introduces New Powershift Fluids -- Large truck manual transmissions and heavy-equipment powershift transmission fluids.
• 8.2% Fuel Economy Increase -- Field trial on tractor trailer showing significant fuel mileage increases using AMSOIL synthetic motor oil and drive train lubricants.
• 409,000-Mile Oil Drain Interval Mack Engine Teardown -- Outside rater confirms minimal wear even with 200,000+ mile oil change interval.
• A Matter Of Marketing To The Select Few -- AMSOIL has been sold through the marketing vehicle of the new millennium -- since 1973. Always ahead of the curve, AMSOIL has utilized the strength and power of Multi-Level Marketing to introduce its wide range of products to the public. This process of marketing gets the products introduced directly to the user, bypassing many middle-men.
• Diesel Oils a Specialty! -- AMSOIL's Diesel Motor Oils are premium all-fleet lubricants.

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