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Carry That Weight

Written by Ches Cain
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Carry That Weight

AMSOIL synthetic drivetrain fluids provide complete towing protection.

Carry That Weight

Many people overstress their vehicles in the summer, pulling trailers, campers or fifth-wheels with boats, sometimes exceeding their rated towing limits. Severe-service conditions and hot summer temperatures place extreme pressure on transmissions and differentials.

Modern turbo diesel trucks and vehicles with V-10 engines boast more horsepower and torque than their predecessors, subjecting their differentials to increased levels of stress and heat. Gear oils must provide adequate wear protection, while also providing maximum fuel efficiency.

 

Thermal Runaway

The extreme pressures and temperatures generated by modern vehicles can lead to a serious condition known as thermal runaway. As temperatures in the differential climb upward, gear lubricants lose viscosity and load-carrying capacity. When extreme loads break the lubricant film, metal-to-metal contact occurs, increasing friction and heat. This increased friction and heat, in turn, results in further viscosity loss, which further increases friction and heat. As heat spirals upward, viscosity spirals downward. Thermal runaway is a vicious cycle that leads to irreparable equipment damage and ultimately catastrophic gear and bearing failure.

 

The AMSOIL “Tow Package”

AMSOIL Severe Gear® Synthetic Gear Lube (SVG, SVT, SVO) and Signature Series Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF, ATL) provide maximum protection in demanding environments such as towing, hauling and commercial use, providing increased lubricant film protection and reduced wear at elevated temperatures.

 

Field Proven

Signature Series Synthetic Fuel-Efficient ATF was submitted for a field trial at an independent test facility to prove its ability to protect transmissions in the severe, high-heat environment generated in real-world towing scenarios.

A loaded trailer was towed on real highways and city streets throughout the trial. Signature Series ATF handled the punishment with ease. Throughout 115,000 miles in severe service – nearly 4x the manufacturer recommended severe-service drain interval – Signature Series ATF delivered outstanding protection for gears and clutches and maintained smooth shifts.

Severe Gear Synthetic Gear Lube (SVG, SVT, SVO)

  • Controls thermal runaway
  • Features superior film strength
  • Provides rust and corrosion protection
  • Helps reduce operating temperatures

Signature Series Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF, ATL)

  • Specifically formulated for severe-service towing and heavy hauling
  • Delivers reserve protection against extreme heat
  • Maintains cold-temperature fluidity
  • Superior friction durability for smooth, reliable shifts
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Common Fixes for a Transmission that Jerks or Hesitates

Written by Ches Cain
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Common Fixes for a Transmission that Jerks or Hesitates

AMSOIL Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid

Here are a few common reasons why your transmission may shift erratically, jerk or hesitate.

  • Low fluid level
  • Depleted fluid frictional properties
  • Poor cold-temperature fluidity

 

Start with the easiest fix

There’s an old adage when troubleshooting: start with the least expensive and simplest fix. In this case, check the transmission fluid level first. Low fluid can prevent the transmission from shifting properly. It’s important to find out why the fluid is low and fix any problems. It could be a leaky seal or other mechanical defect. Otherwise, adding new fluid won’t ultimately solve the problem.

Worn fluid equals poor shift quality

Transmission fluid that has aged and lost some of its frictional properties can also lead to poor shift quality. When your vehicle’s computer tells the transmission to shift gears, hydraulic pressure (provided by the fluid) squeezes a series of plates together inside a clutch pack to connect the engine to the transmission output shaft and route power to the wheels. The fluid’s frictional properties play a vital role in ensuring the clutch plates bind together properly and gear shifts occur seamlessly. Over time, the frictional properties of the fluid can degrade, leading to elongated, jerky or inconsistent shifts. In this case, it’s time for a fluid change. How do you know for sure the fluid is worn? The only definite way to find out is to conduct used fluid analysis. However, fluid that smells burnt or appears dirty is likely due for a change. It’s best practice to change the fluid before the frictional properties are depleted and poor shifting is experienced since poor shifts can cause the clutches to wear more rapidly and lead to bigger issues that need mechanical repairs.

Be aware of “adaptive” transmissions

One interesting note affects newer vehicles equipped with adaptive transmissions. These units “learn” your driving habits and the characteristics of the fluid to adjust shifts accordingly. As the fluid loses its frictional properties, the computer compensates and adjusts transmission performance. If you’ve recently changed your fluid, the computer may still operate as if old fluid is installed, causing poor shift quality. In these cases, keep driving and eventually the computer will “relearn” your driving habits and the behavior of the new fluid and adjust accordingly. The problem was significant enough on some 2012-2013 Ford F-150s to cause Ford to issue a technical service bulletin (TSB 13-1-10).

 

Your transmission fluid’s frictional properties are vital to best performance

Comparison of Frictional Properties - ATF

To demonstrate its outstanding performance, AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid was tested in taxi cabs operating in the intense heat of Las Vegas. First, the frictional properties of new fluid were tested. Then, after more than 180,000 miles of work in a fleet of taxis, the fluid was tested again. As shown in the graph, the fluid maintained nearly identical frictional properties to new fluid after 180,000 miles of severe service. That translates into solid, confident shifts day after day and long transmission life.

 

Cold weather can reduce shift quality

When the temperature drops, transmission fluids with poor cold-flow properties can thicken and cause elongated and hard shifts until the fluid has warmed up enough to flow properly. Switching to a high-quality synthetic transmission fluid will help. Synthetics don’t contain waxes, as conventional fluids do, so they remain fluid at lower temperatures for improved shifts during cold weather.

The best transmission fluid available won’t fix a broken transmission. But using high-quality synthetic transmission fluid can help improve shift quality and maximize transmission life.

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Troubleshooting a String Trimmer that has Lost Power

Written by Ches Cain
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  Troubleshooting a String Trimmer that has Lost Power

A few simple maintenance practices can help restore the performance of a faulty string trimmer (Weed Eater).

Troubleshooting a String Trimmer

Check the Age of the Fuel

Today’s ethanol-containing gasoline can break down in relatively short time periods. If your blended fuel supply is more than two or three weeks old, blend a new batch of fuel. AMSOIL Saber Pro now features an additional fuel stabilizer to help offset these effects.

Check Air Filter Condition

A clogged air filter prevents the engine from receiving sufficient air to operate properly. Before removing the air filter, brush away loose debris from around the filter cover and filter element. Tap the filter on a tabletop or the palm of your hand to dislodge any dirt or debris. If you use compressed air, make sure you direct air through the filter from the inside to avoid lodging debris deeper in the filter. Avoid washing the filter as this can collapse its micro-fine structure. If cleaning doesn’t remove debris, replace the filter with the appropriate part recommended by the trimmer manufacturer.

Check the Spark Plug

Spark plug fouling occurs when oil, carbon or other foreign substances coat the tip of the plug and interfere with normal firing. Too much oil in the gasoline, inferior oil, a dirty air filter and/or continued operation at less than full throttle will eventually cause spark plug fouling. Replace the spark plug with a new one recommended by the trimmer manufacturer.

If a new plug is not immediately available, remove the plug and clean all carbon and oil deposits from the plug tip. Set the gap according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and reinstall the plug.

Clean the Exhaust Spark Arrestor Screen

On many trimmers, a small screen covers the exhaust outlet and prevents sparks from exiting the muffler and potentially starting a wildfire. For this reason, trimmers should not be operated if the screen is missing, punctured or disintegrating.

As with plug fouling, too much oil in the gasoline, inferior oil, a dirty air filter and/or continued operation at less than full throttle will plug the screen with carbon deposits. This prevents exhaust gas flow, which leads to power loss. To fix the problem, remove the spark arrestor screen and inspect it for plugging. If plugged, either replace it with the appropriate part recommended by the trimmer manufacturer or clean it.

To clean the spark arrestor screen, spray it with AMSOIL Power Foam® to soften the deposits before cleaning the screen with an abrasive pad. Reinstall the screen and test the weed wacker.

If these attempts to restore power fail, take the trimmer to your servicing dealer.

Use High-Quality Oil to Help Avoid Power Loss

Using a high-quality two-stroke oil with excellent detergency can help avoid many of the problems listed here. Two-stroke oils that burn cleanly help reduce plug fouling and spark arrestor screen deposits. AMSOIL SABER® Professional Synthetic 2-Stroke Oil withstands high heat and stress to protect handheld equipment engines against wear and harmful deposits. It can be mixed at conventional mix ratios (32:1, 40:1, 50:1) or the SABER Ratio™ (80:1, 100:1), offering the convenience of one mix ratio for all applications.

Just by using the AMSOIL 2-cycle oils you will have the last laugh when you first bring out your trimmers and yard tools and they start right away. Still after making the suggestion to your other Sioux Falls neighbors they will insist their method is better and struggle with starting and a un-necessary cloud of smoke. That’s right folks, AMSOIL’s Saber is practically smokeless and we get praise on its lack of foul order just as we do with our other 2-stroke oils for powerports.
Take care of your yard equipment and trust AMSOIL for your lubricants and also checkout our award winning fuel treatment designed for small engines – AMSOIL Quickshot – cleans, prevents fuel issues, stabilizes (non 2-cycle too) fuel and prevents the effects of ethanol.

Find all AMSOIL Saber PRO 2-cycle products and bottle sizes in our local Sioux Falls store
Synthetic Warehouse
4610 W. 12th St
Sioux Falls, SD 57107
402-933-3902

 

*All trademarked images are the property of their respective owners and may be registered marks in some countries. No affiliation or endorsement claim, express or implied, is made by their use. All products advertised here are AMSOIL-engineered for use in the applications shown.

weedeater

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