Fall Maintenance

The leaves turning, nights getting cooler and mornings crisper is a signal that the seasons are changing. It’s time to start thinking about putting away summer equipment while looking over any winter gear that may need some work before the snow flies. Don’t forget to maintain those daily drivers to help them make it through another winter.

The fall is the perfect time to change the oil on your daily driver if you’re on an extended 6-month/15,000-km schedule using either the Signature Series or the XL Series from the 3 tiers of AMSOIL engine oils. Our 2005 Vibe was changed last weekend and is now good until May of 2013 or 20,000-kms.

I think it’s too soon to put the bikes away but those early morning starts without synthetics in the crank case may become a bit more harsh. Try one of the AMSOIL motorcycle oils to help with extream temperatures like cold starts and hot idling in the heat of the summer. In my opinon fresh oil is the best way to store any piece of equipment/vehicle. AMSOIL motorcycle oils have excellent anti-corrosion additives that lesser oils may be lacking.

How do you remember what needs to be done? Especally if you’re maintaining the equipment for an entire house, family or small fleet?
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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.

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.

Pontiac Vibe AMSOIL Conversion

Our Pontiac Vibe came due for her 160,000 oil change this weekend. I switched this older vehicle to AMSOIL Extended Life 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil. In the three tiers of motor oil at AMSOIL this is the mid-range product that is capable of 16,000km or 6 months.

Since I’m switching over a vehicle that already seen quite a few miles and has been run on oils ranging from bulk tank specials at the local lube shop to whatever was on sale at Canadian Tire. I decided to run some AMSOIL Engine and Transmission Flush though the engine.
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