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.

Spring Has Sprung

I’m not a meteorologist but all of a sudden we seemed to skip spring as temperatures soared over 25°C last week. My poor winter tires must have been sweating with the summer like temperatures on Thursday – I swapped them out this morning.

When the weather starts to warm up people start getting out their equipment. Boats are being uncovered as fishermen tighten their lines on some catfish in Dunville and rainbows in Grimsby. Everything seems to be early this year with our lack of snow and ice in Southern Ontario the water surface temperatures are already at spring levels.

I’ve had lots of calls about Motorcycle oil last week.
20W-50 MCV and 10W-40 MCF are in stock and ready to be picked up in Mississauga so you can install it in your bike this weekend. Don’t forget a bottle of Quickshot to stabilize and clean your fuel system. EA Motorcycle filters are available but I don’t stock them and will pick up filters Thursdays on my weekly trip to the warehouse.

If you need some AMSOIL products to get your equipment ready this spring give me a call – I’d be happy to give product recommendations for your specific equipment.

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

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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.
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