ATF – Chris Ness – Amsoil Independent Dealer

Save on Fuel

The CBC posted their top eight ways to save on fuel as prices continue to climb at the pump.

I don’t agree with all of them.

Choosing supreme gas for an automobile that specifies regular won’t improve fuel mileage since octane ratings are for compression. You may see some improvements in fuel economy if you choose a fuel that has no ethanol in it since it’s energy content is lower than gasoline ^[wikipedia].
Sparkplugs last longer than a year. You may not want to go the full 160,000km on the same set and be sure to replace them with high quality plugs at or above OEM specs.

I would move the behaviour items further up the list too. Stops and starts as well as speeding can really increase your fuel consumption.
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AMSOIL Upgrades ATF Specifications

AMSOIL’s ATF products have been elevated to the Signature Series family, now known as Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) and Signature Series Fuel-Efficient Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATL). While formulations and pricing remain unchanged, the robust nature of these products was further proven in intense field testing allowing AMSOIL to introduce new application and service life recommendations. Field testing was conducted in Las Vegas taxi cabs. As you can imagine, Las Vegas cabs endure continuous stop-and-go conditions in extreme desert heat which makes it an excellent location to test these products.

Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF and Fuel-Efficient Synthetic ATF offer the most benefits in applications where heavy towing, elevated temperatures and challenging terrain are common. As transmission sumps are shrinking these robust fluids offer piece of mind and the ability to extend service life in some applications.

I’m excited to see the addition of the Mitsubishi ATF J2 specification to the Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF (ATL). This will directly apply to my 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander and is great to see an after market fluid for this application.
Continue reading AMSOIL Upgrades ATF Specifications

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?
Continue reading Fall Maintenance

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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Fuel Economy and Friction Losses

A great article was published in the July Preferred Customers edition of AMSOIL Magazine titled “Frictional losses account for big part of fuel energy inputs“.

The article shows where most of the energy associated with a unit of fuel is consumed or wasted by a vehicle. The spoiler is that only about 12.6% of the fuel energy is passed through the system to drive the wheels of the vehicle. Think how your fuel economy could improve if you could decrease wasted energy by friction – even small gains in reducing friction will add up at the pump.

Some of the AMSOIL fluids you can install in your vehicle to reduce friction include: Continue reading Fuel Economy and Friction Losses

Power Steering Fluid

I replaced the power steering fluid in my Mitsubishi Outlander over the past two weeks with Synthetic Universal Power Steering Fluid (PSF).

Be sure to check the application guide for your vehicle as some use ATF – like the 2006 Pontiac Vibe – instead of PSF.

Using a hand pump I was able to remove about 150ml of fluid from the reservoir at a time. Then I drove the vehicle for a day to work the new fluid into the system. I did this for 3 bottles of PSF which is ~1.5L since the power steering system capacity is 1L on my Outlander.
Continue reading Power Steering Fluid