New AMSOIL Synthetic European Motor Oil Viscosities
A new 10W-60 and 0W-30 for several BMW, Volkswagen and other fancy European cars.
_by Brad Nelson|September 13, 2023
Those who know, know. The sophisticated engineering, finely-tuned performance and artistic styling of European cars can turn a daily commute into a grin-inducing experience. The design of these vehicles requires specialized motor oils to meet their specifications. AMSOIL is adding two new viscosities to the AMSOIL Synthetic European Motor Oil line to do just that: AMSOIL 0W-30 Synthetic European Motor Oil and AMSOIL 10W-60 Synthetic European Motor Oil.
0W-30 Synthetic European Motor Oil – VW and BMW Owners Unite
Sioux Falls store: You requested it!! For a LONG time we’ve been requesting this on your behalf!
AMSOIL 0W-30 Synthetic European Motor Oil is a proprietary formula designed for the unique demands of gasoline, diesel and hybrid European vehicles. Its precise blend of advanced synthetic base oils and premium additives delivers exceptional engine protection without harming emissions systems. AMSOIL 0W-30 European Motor Oil offers outstanding protection in high-temperature conditions and improved cold-flow properties.
AMSOIL 0W-30 Synthetic European Motor Oil meets the BMW* LongLife* 01-FE 0W-30 specification. BMW updated its previous recommendation of LongLife 01 5W-30, and the new spec covers many newer BMW six-cylinder engines. The new recommendation is backward compatible with vehicles that currently use, and were factory filled with, 5W-30.
Product Highlights
Outstanding protection in high-temperature conditions
Greater flow in cold temperatures
Applications
Use AMSOIL 0W-30 Synthetic European Motor Oil in applications that require any of the following specifications: API SP, SN Plus, SN; ACEA C2/C3; BMW LL-01FE; Mercedez-Benz* MB 229.31, 229.51, 229.52; VW/Audi* 504/507; Porsche* C30.
AMSOIL 10W-60 Synthetic European Motor Oil
Another one here in the Sioux Falls store we’ve been getting requests for and had to turn customers away. No longer!! This is as hard to find viscosity and specification so engine and warranties will be satisfied and protected!
AMSOIL 10W-60 Synthetic European Motor Oil provides a high-performance motor oil for European performance vehicles, including BMW M Series,* Ferrari,* Aston Martin* and Maserati.* Its advanced formula of premium synthetic base oils and leading-edge additives deliver exceptional protection in extreme conditions. AMSOIL 10W-60 Synthetic European Motor Oil provides excellent shear resistance, reduced oil consumption and dependable performance so you can confidently push your high-performance vehicle to the limit.
Product Highlights
Exceptional engine protection in extreme temperatures
Shear resistance
Reduced oil consumption
Applications
Use AMSOIL 10W-60 Synthetic European Motor Oil in applications that require API SN or ACEA A3/B3; A3/B4, including the BMW M Series, Ferrari, Aston Martin and Maserati.
This viscosity is not available in Canada.
Drive with confidence
The new 0W-30 and 10W-60 viscosities add to a robust line of AMSOIL Synthetic European Motor Oil that often exceeds strict European manufacturer specifications. Its shear-stable synthetic base oils and high-quality anti-wear additives provide outstanding protection in high-heat conditions for dependable performance throughout the long drain intervals recommended by European vehicle manufacturers.
Additionally, the excellent oxidation stability, heat resistance and detergency properties of AMSOIL Synthetic European Motor Oil helps keep engines clean. It is designed to prevent sludge and varnish deposits, reduce oil consumption, extend engine life and provide maximum performance.
AMSOIL Synthetic European Motor Oil provides outstanding protection for turbochargers by keeping them cool and resisting deposits. Impressive cold-flow properties protect turbochargers from oil starvation in subzero temperatures and ensure a rapid return to appropriate oil pressure at startup.
AMSOIL Synthetic European Motor Oil includes FS, MS and LS identification to help differentiate between full-SAPS, mid-SAPS and low-SAPS formulations. What does that mean? European vehicles feature gasoline and diesel engines with emissions systems that are highly sensitive to SAPS (sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulfur) content. SAPS are common oil additives that provide desirable performance properties, including detergency and protection against wear and oxidation. However, protecting sensitive emissions systems found in European vehicles requires different SAPS levels for different vehicles – it’s not a one-size-fits-all deal.
Skid steers are built for tough construction, excavation, agricultural and other professional projects. Whether you’re clearing land, moving rocks or tearing down a wall, a skid steer is an excellent piece of equipment for many different jobs. But these nimble machines can be expensive to repair and replace if neglected. Good maintenance practices are important to keep your skid steers going strong.
A daily check before each job can keep you from getting sidelined. Here’s our quick checklist of the top five things you should check before hopping in your skid steer.
Front End: Inspect attachments, such as the bucket, fork or brush-cutter to ensure they’re free from debris and not damaged. Be sure the arms are working properly and check to see that the pins and bushings are well-greased at all fittings. Inspect the hoses and tubes and make sure they’re secure and leak-free.
Tires/Track: Depending on your setup, be sure to either check the tire pressure or adjust track tension as necessary. Skipping this step puts strain on these components, and they are expensive to replace when damaged.
Safety Controls: Step into the cab and inspect the seat belt, panel display, backup alerts and horn. This helps keep you and the people around you safe on the job.
Engine: Take a walk behind the machine and open the tailgate. Remove any debris and check to see that all components, such as the air filter and cooling system, are undamaged.
Fluids: Engine oil, hydraulic oil and coolant levels should all be inspected. Making sure that all fluid levels are full helps keep your skid steer from suffering from accelerated wear or heat damage to help increase the performance and protection of your critical equipment.
To borrow a famous slogan, just do it. You don’t need to take any special steps before you switch to synthetic motor oil from conventional oil.
There is still some confusion about changing to a different type of oil in vehicles, particularly older models that have accumulated many miles. A small group of ill-informed individuals in garages and on blogs still cling to old beliefs that synthetic motor oil causes roller followers to “slip or skid,” or that switching to synthetic motor oil causes issues in older engines, particularly oil leaks.
Facts have since replaced these outdated ideas about synthetics causing engine problems.
AMSOIL Formulations Are The Exception To The Rule
More people than ever are making the switch to synthetic oil because properly formulated synthetics offer benefits well beyond what conventional and synthetic-blend products provide. Many new passenger car and light truck vehicles come factory filled with synthetic lubricants – not just high-performance sports cars.
AMSOIL for decades have addresses those old rumors regarding the negative effects of switching to synthetics, most of which were never true.
There are a Couple Ways to Switch to Synthetic Motor Oil for the First Time.
Jump right in and simply change the oil. Take your vehicle to your mechanic or the nearest quick lube and ask for synthetic motor oil. Or, dust off your drain pan and do it yourself. You don’t have to do anything special to your engine first, and the synthetic oil isn’t going to cause problems in your vehicle that weren’t already there, such as leaking seals.
Flush the engine first. Though not required, an engine flush more immediately removes sludge and debris accumulated over time. It will also stop or significantly reduce oil consumption. Many say it improved mileage due to ring sludge.
The main difference between flushing your engine and a normal oil change to synthetic oil is the rate at which the built-up debris is removed from older engines.
If you change to AMSOIL synthetic motor oil without flushing, for example, the detergents in the motor oil will clean accumulated deposits from the engine over subsequent oil changes.
When you use AMSOIL Engine and Transmission Flush, the cleanup is more immediate and helps ensure the engine is clean and free of any accumulated contaminants.
If the engine has a sketchy maintenance history and you want to give it a fresh start, we recommend using AMSOIL Engine and Transmission Flush before you switch to synthetic motor oil.
Ready to make the switch to synthetic motor oil? Check out our Product Guide for the right oil for your vehicle.
Scott Birdsall, holder of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and half-mile diesel records, joins Team AMSOIL.
I never seen a team with such the interesting variation of vehicles.
Birdsall Guy
_by Brad Nelson|June 16, 2023
“It’s about finding that last tenth.” That’s how Scott Birdsall sees competition — and clearly, he knows where to go looking for it. Birdsall, the newest member of Team AMSOIL, is the visionary builder and driver of Old Smokey – a 1949 Ford F1 pickup equipped with a 12-valve, 6.7L twin-turbo Freedom Racing Engines* Cummins* – that holds the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb diesel record with a time of 11:24.065. Birdsall and Old Smokey also hold the half-mile diesel land-speed record at 167 mph. Those accomplishments are even more incredible considering that Birdsall simultaneously operates two award-winning fabrication shops, Chuckles Garage and Resolute Motorsports in Santa Rosa, Calif. But instead of slowing down, Birdsall is just getting started. When the milestone 100th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb runs on June 26, 2022, he will be back with a new car intent on resetting his own record. And AMSOIL will be there to help.
Scott Birdsall and Old Smokey charge up Pikes Peak on his record-setting run.
Old Smokey
“I bought Old Smokey off craigs list for $225,” said Birdsall.
I was just going to flip it, but it started to grow on me. I decided to make it into a shop truck to run around in and grab parts and stuff with, so we put a 12-valve Cummins diesel in it and some standard stuff.
“But I don’t have any personal restraint,” he continued. “So, one turbo turned into two, and two turned into two really big ones – and then it turned into needing big breaks. It turned into a 1200-hp street truck. Before I knew it, it was a full-blown race truck with a license plate on it.”
Old Smokey debuted at the 2016 SEMA with a lot of buzz, going viral on social media and making Car and Driver’s Top 10 of SEMA 2016. But Birdsall decided to take the truck to yet another level.
Old Smokey driven by Scott Birdsall up Pikes Peak. Scott Birdsall drives Old Smokey to the new Pikes Peak diesel record.
Old Smokey went through another rebuild with “literally everything” upgraded with $400,000-plus of premium components. He says you can think of Smokey as a World Challenge Cup GT race car hiding under a ’49 Ford F1. It has a computer designed aerodynamics package that creates tons of downforce. The Freedom Racing Engines* Cummins* runs on NexDiesel,* a renewable fuel that burns clean and efficient. FASS Fuel Systems* pumps and Dynamite Diesel* injectors deliver the fuel, creating a staggering 1,463 hp and 2,100 lb-ft of torque. Birdsall says that Smokey is a beast to drive at 4,400 nose-heavy pounds and no driving aids like traction control or ABS.
“Smokey is like sitting on a silverback gorilla and giving it the taser,” joked Birdsall. “It’s a purely analog machine with no driver aids at all. The only drivers aid is your fear of mortality.”
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, also known as “The Race to the Clouds,” is a race to the summit of Pikes Peak in Manitou, Colo. The route stretches uphill 12.42 miles with 156 turns and 4,725 feet of elevation gain.
“There’s always been this mystique,” said Birdsall about Pikes Peak. “It’s one of the most legendary races in the world. I grew up watching it on TV with my dad, so I always held these drivers up on a huge pedestal. They’re professional racing drivers but they’re also doing this crazy race up this half-dirt, half-paved road.”
Birdsall has always been a gear head with a love for speed. He grew up racing dirt bikes and go-karts through club racing and then some World Challenge racing. But he walked away from the track for a while to focus on snowboarding.
Resolute Motorworks Porsche Resolute Motorworks builds Overland Cayennes and Overland 911s from the SC and Carrera 3.2 generation of 911 Porsches.
“Before I was a sponsored racer, I was a sponsored snowboarder,” said Birdsall. “I rode for Burton* and Analog.* It’s crazy because my first big sponsor in the automotive world was Airaid,* and their GM at the time was a bigwig at Burton.* We met at SEMA and it just clicked. My snowboard sponsor became my first auto sponsor.”
In 2017, Birdsall set his sights on Pikes Peak. “I just got the idea, I wanted to go run the Peak,” he said. But things didn’t go his way initially.
“I threw it off the mountain in 2018 on my first try,” said Birdsall. “I crashed in tire testing, herniated two discs in my neck and broke my tailbone.” Old Smokey was also banged up. Birdsall and his crew fixed the truck in eight days and came back to qualify, but engine damage caused Birdsall to withdraw from the race.
He returned in 2019 and managed to start the race. But halfway through his run, rain and hail moved in and the race was called off for safety reasons.
But tenacity paid off in 2020. Birdsall and Old Smokey pulled down the Pikes Peak diesel record set in 2015 by an AWD Mercedes-Benz* C 250 d 4MATIC driven by factory rally driver Uwe Nittel. He succeeded despite Old Smokey overheating at 12,800 feet, putting it into limp mode to the finish. But Birdsall takes it in stride.
“I don’t know,” he said. “It’s just like my whole life, things just happen. There’s no plan, it just flows into its own organic monster. Same thing with my Porsche business, I never intended to have one. I just built one and it just became popular.”
Scott Birdsall’s personal passions are 90s Porches* and Japanese cars.
Chuckles Garage
In the early 2000s, Birdsall was working as a regional manager for a big-box retailer, but it wasn’t his thing.
“I got sick of corporate America, so I had to leave for my own health reasons,” he said. “It’s not worth it, burning eight hours of your life for something you’re not passionate about. You’re just burning your life to fuel someone else’s dreams.”
In 2005, Birdsall opened Chuckles Garage. The shop specializes in custom builds with Birdsall as lead designer. The shop has gained an international reputation for their work, with projects featured in magazines like Hotrod, Car Craft, TRC, Diesel World, Diesel Power and numerous TV shows.
“My personal passions are Porches* and vintage Japanese cars,” said Birdsall. “By vintage I mean the 90s, things like that. For example, I have a ’93 Selica World Rally Car GT 4 and a ’98 Supra Twin Turbo that’s basically a crazy streetcar with 13-hundred horsepower.”
As Chuckles Garage took off, the ever-restless Birdsall co-founded a second shop, Resolute Motorworks, to focus on fabricating Porsches.* Resolute builds cars from the SC and Carrera 3.2 generation of 911 Porsches, ideally 3.2-Liter cars produced from 1983 to 1989, and remake them into serious on-/off-road cars with re-engineered components that are tested on desert, gravel, snow and pavement.
“Chuckles does pretty much anything I deem fun. Resolute does Overland 911s and Overland Cayennes,” Birdsall said.
Scott Birdsall’s built a new Le Mans-style diesel race car to reset his own Pikes Peak record.
Return to Pikes Peak
Birdsall is returning to Pikes Peak in June. He hopes to reset his own record somewhere in the nine-minute mark. He also intends to push his half-mile diesel land-speed record to 180 mph. To run down those goals, he’s building a new car.
“I want to take my Pikes Peak diesel record and put it up where it’s really hard to get,” said Birdsall. “The new car that I built to be Smokey’s successor is a full-on Le Mans prototype, like a car you’d see running the 24-hours of Le Mans. So that’s a different kind of diesel. The new chassis will weigh less than 3,000 pounds with tons of downforce. Everything is super racecar on it and thoroughly modern. I’ve basically taken it and blown it down to its basic elements and made it into its own chassis. We call it the ‘CG Superlight LMP1.’”
The CG Superlight will be powered by a VM Motori* 24-valve diesel V6 built by Freedom Racing Engines.* It’s equipped with compound Garrett Motion* turbos to produce an output of 600 hp and 900 lb-ft of torque that’s mated to a 6XD 6-speed sequential transaxle.
Birdsall will be driving the CG Superlight, but he won’t be kicking Old Smokey to the curb. The fan-favorite will also return to the mountain, this time with Aaron Kaufman behind the wheel.
Team AMSOIL
Given the audacity of his goals, Birdsall sought out a lubricant partner with a history of winning races and resetting limits.
“AMSOIL provides us with a reliability bump,” said Birdsall. “It’s definitely cool that I’m with a sponsor that has already conquered the peak – and basically puts my name in the hat with the Unsers. That’s cool, they are royalty out there. And I really like AMSOIL’s overall spread of motorsports. They really are into everything.”
When Birdsall leaves the line to reset his Pikes Peak diesel record on June 26, AMSOIL will be there too, helping him find that last tenth.
Keep up with Scott Birdsall’s adventures. Follow him on your favorite social media channel at @chucklesgarage.
*All trademarked names and 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.
Proper storage ensures your lawn equipment will run well for years.
September 26, 2023
Winter is on the horizon and it’s time to store your lawnmower and other lawn and garden equipment through the colder months. The following tips will help you maximize the life and performance of your lawnmower and ensure it springs quickly to life when you’re ready to mow grass again.
Stabilize the gas
Without a stabilizer gasoline can break down in as few as 30 days. Oxygen, humidity, heat and other factors cause gas to change over time. Varnish, gums and other debris may form, which can clog the tiny passages in fuel lines and injectors or stick the floats in carburetors, preventing the engine from starting in the spring.
AMSOIL Gasoline Stabilizer disrupts the chemical chain reaction that causes gas to oxidize and form varnish and gums. It keeps fuel fresh up to 12 months. As shown, it also fights corrosion and improves stability better than Sea Foam Motor Treatment*.
Clean or replace the spark plugs
The spark plugs in a well-maintained lawnmower should last for years. Even so, check the condition for excessive deposits or wear to the electrodes. Clean on a wire brush (bench grinder is what I use) or replace any dirty plugs as needed. While you’re at it, check the gaps and set them to the proper size, as indicated in the owner’s manual.
Fog Spray the engine
With the spark plug removed, spray fogging oil into the engine. It protects the cylinder, piston and valves from rust and dry-start-induced damage in the spring. Slowly pull the starter cord a few times to distribute the oil, then replace the plug.
Remove the battery
You know, people don’t maintain batteries like they used to.. To prevent frigid temperatures from freezing and ruining the battery, remove it and store it in a safe, climate-controlled environment. Avoid placing it next to your furnace, water heater or other mechanicals in the basement. Put it on a shelf away from open flames. Clean any deposits on the terminals.
Damaged and corroded car battery danger
Clean and protect the mower deck
Use compressed air, a putty knife, water and AMSOIL Heavy Duty Degreaser to remove grass clippings, leaves, dirt and other caked-on debris from the engine and mower deck. Don’t forget to clean the underside of the deck, too.
Let me tell you something, If you prefer to ease the pain of doing this dirty work again next year, try coating the underside of the mower with AMSOIL Mudslinger. It forms a durable armor against the accumulation of grass clippings, making cleanup easier.
Change the oil and filter
Too many people let the mower go another year without changing the oil.. Don’t do that! Used oil contains acids that can slowly rust or corrode metal components. Once rust or corrosion start, they don’t stop. Contaminants can flake off and populate the oil. When the engine is running, they scour like sandpaper and wear out metal parts. Prior to storage, change the oil to remove acidic byproducts and ensure maximum protection against rust and corrosion throughout the winter.
Clean or change the air filter
A steady supply of clean air is just as important to engine operation and performance as high-quality fuel. Grass clippings, leaves, dirt and other contaminants can clog the air filter, causing the engine to start hard or run poorly.
Direct compressed air from the inside of the filter toward its outside to remove contaminants prior to storage. If it’s excessively dirty, replacing it is cheap insurance. The air filter is the only line of defense keeping contaminants from entering the intake and wearing out the cylinder and piston rings. It’s far less expensive to replace an air filter than an engine. Heck I always vacuum mine and it lasts for years. I used to buy them cheap at Kmart. Wish we still had our Kmart around..
Sharpen the blades
This isn’t required before lawnmower storage, but it’s more convenient to do it now, so nothing prevents a quick mow when that first sunny and dry spring day finally arrives. Remove the blades and sharpen them using an angle or bench grinder, but don’t hesitate to replace them if they’re in bad shape. I’ll tell you what, look for a good mower shop (dont tell him you use AMSOIL as he’ll know you never need repairs, lol) and see if they do blade sharpening. Proper sharpening in a jig makes a huge difference especially in a mulching mower.
Store in a dry, covered place
Once the mower is cleaned and prepared for storage, place it in a clean, dry place for the winter. Avoid storing it outside, but if you have no choice, secure a tarp over mechanical equipment to help protect sensitive components from the elements.
Following these simple lawnmower storage and maintenance tips will ensure your mower starts right up in the spring and continues to provide excellent service for many years.
We also have some advice for when your lawnmower won’t start, and if you prefer videos, we’ve got that too:
_by Brad Nelson|September 13, 2023
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