Why Motor Oil Deteriorates Like just about everything else, motor oil has a lifespan. Even the best oils eventually require you to change them. Historically, many motorists like the convenience of changing oil with the seasons, visiting the quick lube or pulling the ramps out of their garage each spring and fall. Motor oil can […]
A DIY Car Repair, or a Job for an Expert? Five Questions to Ask Before Doing It Yourself John Baker|Feb 03, 2018 11:39 AM Guest post by retired ASE master technician Mark Gittelman. It happens to the best of us: We take on a car repair only to find out the hard way that it’s […]
What’s the Minimum I Should Drive My Car? And Other Winter Car Storage Tips Jamie Jarvi|Oct 01, 2018 8:30 AM The roads are home to all kinds of vehicles. Daily drivers that clock thousands of miles each year. Seasonal vehicles that only clock hundreds. And then there are some whose odometers move only when being […]
What’s the Difference Between DOT 3 and DOT 4 Brake Fluid? John Baker|Feb 27, 2018 10:12 AM The primary difference between Dot 3 and Dot 4 is their respective boiling points. I suspect I know your next question. But first, some background. The U.S. Department of Transportation classifies brake fluid into four main categories: DOT […]
How To Choose the Right Battery for Your Car Ed Newman|Aug 09, 2017 8:00 AM Most of us have a car battery story we could resurrect if asked. I have a few, but the most memorable was in 1986 when my son was born. On our seventh anniversary, my wife and I had dined at […]
Never Overlook This When Maintaining Your Snowblower John Baker|Nov 06, 2018 10:01 AM Thanksgiving day, 2016. While my family was gathered in my dining room, imbibing spirits and making merry, I was in the shed disassembling the carburetor on my snowblower, reeking of petroleum as rivers of gasoline flowed under my jacket cuffs and saturated […]
Should I Switch to a Lighter Viscosity Oil in Winter? John Baker|Oct 08, 2018 11:51 AM Motorists sometimes ask if they should use a lighter viscosity of motor oil once winter arrives. Yes – provided your vehicle manufacturer allows it. Run out to your vehicle and fish the owner’s manual from the glove box. Or […]
What Causes Engine Oil Oxidation? John Baker|Oct 17, 2018 10:59 AM As you might expect, oxygen causes engine oil oxidation. Oxygen comprises about 20 percent of our atmosphere. It’s the third most common element in the universe. Without it we’d all be doomed. And yet too much of it can cause problems inside your engine. […]
The DIY Oil Change: Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes Ed Newman|Aug 28, 2017 8:49 AM I’m probably from the last generation of people who largely changed their own oil. As the pace of life has increased and engine technology has grown more complicated, most people now pay a professional to take care of their auto-maintenance […]
Do Motor Oil Additives Work? John Baker|Mar 09, 2018 11:01 AM What do motor oil additives do? The shelves at your local auto parts store are full of aftermarket motor oil additives and oil treatments that promise a cornucopia of benefits, such as… Increased fuel economy Reduced friction Maximum horsepower Improved engine cleanliness To provide […]
Why is there Sludge/Slime in my Radiator? John Baker|Aug 24, 2018 9:28 AM Cooling-system issues account for nearly 40 percent of engine failures. Clearly, it pays to take care of your vehicle’s cooling system. Sludge/slime are one of the common symptoms of larger problems. Left unchecked, it’ll plug the radiator, heater core or fluid passages, […]
Do Older Vehicles Need High Zinc Motor Oil? John Baker|Aug 25, 2017 8:37 AM Thanks to Hugh Ashburn for asking this question on our Facebook page. In case you can’t click on the facebook link here is the entire question: We are Amsoil Dealers in Lewisville TX. My interest is in Older engines, and rebuilt older […]
Busting the 3,000 Mile Oil Change Myth Andy Arendt|Feb 13, 2018 10:40 AM Changing your oil every 3,000 miles is a practice passed down for generations. The origin likely stems from the noble effort to provide consumers with a simple vehicle-maintenance rule that left plenty of room for error. Marketed by fast lubes Fast lube […]
Oil Life Monitors – Everything You Need To Know Josh Kimmes|Jan 22, 2018 3:31 PM For the past couple months, every time I start my truck I hear an annoying “ding” followed by an equaling annoying message saying “Change Engine Oil Soon.” I know what you’re thinking – you’d better change your oil! My oil […]
How to Clean and Prevent Battery Terminal Corrosion John Baker|Mar 27, 2017 10:46 AM We’ve all been there before. You turn the key on your car and…nothing. Not even the tell-tale clicking sound of the starter solenoid. Your first reaction is to pound the steering wheel and curse the darkness. But it should probably be […]
