AMSOIL founder and lifelong dog lover Al Amatuzio started the foundation when he saw a need for consistent funding to support K-9 programs at law-enforcement agencies in and around Superior, Wis., and Duluth, Minn. Although Amatuzio had for years purchased dogs and supported K-9 programs on his own, he wanted a permanent solution. The foundation currently supports five local agencies with 12 dogs. Two more dogs will be added this year.
The foundation holds “Operation K-9” each year to help with community outreach and fund-raising. Handlers and their dogs put on a show to demonstrate the dogs’ capabilities, while providing a chance for residents to interact with the dogs up-close.
This year’s event took place the second week of June. Take a look at the images.
Helps police agencies pay for K-9s
K-9 officers are no ordinary animals. They’re bred specifically for their intensity and ability to perform difficult tasks while being easy to train.
As you can imagine, K-9s aren’t cheap; one dog can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000 – not including training or daily care – and can originate from Hungary, the Czech Republic or Canada. Most law-enforcement agencies can’t support K-9 programs by themselves.
The AMSOIL Northland Law-Enforcement K-9 Foundation contributes up to $10,000 toward the purchase of a dog. The foundation’s goal is to one day cover the full purchase cost. Without support, the costs of K-9 programs would come right out of a police force’s ever-tightening budget. Without help, most agencies couldn’t afford to put K-9s on the street.
Critical to law enforcement
A K-9 can identify a person, explosive device, narcotic or other target 4-6 times faster than its handler due to a sense of smell 10,000 times stronger than a human’s.
Most K-9s specialize in detecting narcotics or explosives. A narcotics K-9 is often used in traffic stops. If an officer sees paraphernalia or suspicious activity in the vehicle, he or she will sweep the vehicle with the dog. Officers could never conduct as thorough an investigation on their own.
K-9s are also used to keep the community safe in ways some people might not even know. For example, K-9s can sweep the premises for explosives prior to a college graduation or similar event.
Paired with handlers from day one
Typically, when an agency wishes to purchase a dog, a handler is first chosen. Upon delivery, the K-9 is placed immediately with its handler to begin training. Dogs are taught all the skills needed for duty, such as tracking, obedience and agility. When dogs are working in the field and get the command to go, it’s like a game – they think it’s time to play and they focus on the tasks at hand. But, when they return home with their handler, they integrate into the family like a pet.
AMSOIL is proud to partner with others in our community to support and fund the AMSOIL Northland Law-Enforcement K-9 Foundation. Our support also includes the Annual 5K Run for the Dogs each fall in Duluth, Minn.
If you would like to support K-9 programs throughout the country, visit https://www.uspcak9.com or look for local events and programs in your area.
Automatic Transmission Fluid & Manual Transmission Fluid: What’s the Difference?
John Baker|
Back in 2006, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) offered buyers the choice between an automatic and a manual transmission in 47 percent of new cars. Fast forward to 2018, when only 2 percent of vehicles sold had a manual transmission, according to edmunds.com.
Even with manual transmissions on the endangered species list, questions about automatic vs. manual transmission fluid still arise. Whether you opt for a stick or a slush box, you want to use the correct transmission fluid to maximize its performance and life.
Four responsibilities of a good automatic transmission fluid
The differences between automatic and manual transmission fluid lie in what each fluid must do. You don’t have to be an engineer to know that an automatic transmission is far more complex than a manual. Fittingly, so is the fluid it requires to function properly.
Automatic transmission fluid must perform several functions, including…
1. Act as a hydraulic fluid
Automatic transmissions use pressurized fluid to change gears. In essence, automatic transmission fluid is hydraulic fluid.
When your vehicle’s computer decides its time to shift gears, it sends an electric signal to the appropriate transmission solenoid. The solenoid directs fluid through a complex series of passages in the valve body to engage the correct gear. 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.
In a properly functioning transmission, this all happens instantly and goes largely unnoticed.
However, fluid that’s too thick (it’s viscosity is too high) can fail to flow quickly for crisp, confident shifts. That’s one reason automatic transmission fluid has a lower viscosity than manual transmission fluid.
Fluid that has accumulated foam can also fail in its role as a hydraulic fluid. The foam bubbles collapse under pressure, causing elongated or inconsistent shifts (not to mention gear wear). For that reason, automatic transmission fluid must contain foam inhibitors.
2. Deliver the correct frictional requirements
As noted, pressurized automatic transmission fluid squeezes the clutch packs together to engage the correct gears. These clutch packs are comprised of bare metal plates and plates coated in friction material. Engagement and disengagement must occur seamlessly to provide the driver with the best driving experience.
The fluid’s frictional properties determine whether this complicated choreography of moving metal and fluid creates crisp shifts or has you scheduling a time to change transmission fluid.
As such, automatic transmission fluid is formulated to provide precise frictional properties not required of manual transmission fluid.
Automatic transmissions contain an array of sun, planet and ring gears that require lubrication to protect against wear. The fluid must form a durable fluid film on metal surfaces to prevent metal-to-metal contact and wear.
4. Fight heat
Heat is automatic transmission fluid’s number-one enemy. It chemically breaks down the fluid (known as oxidation). Fluid that has broken down leads to sludge and varnish, which can clog narrow oil passages and contribute to clutch glazing. Soon, your vehicle can begin to shift hard, jerk or hesitate.
Automatic transmissions typically run hotter than manuals, meaning the fluid must provide enhanced protection against heat. That’s one reason some vehicles have automatic transmission fluid coolers.
Three responsibilities of a good manual transmission fluid
Just because they’re less complex doesn’t mean manual transmission lubrication requirements are simple. A good manual transmission fluid must serve several roles, including…
1. Enable smooth shifts
Nothing connects vehicle and driver like a smooth-shifting manual gearbox. Enthusiasts won’t tolerate a transmission fluid that interferes with that link.
Here, we have some cross-over between automatic and manual transmission fluid. But they go about enabling smooth shifts differently based on different component architecture.
Most manual transmissions are equipped with synchronizers. As the name suggests, the synchro equalizes its speed with that of the gear being engaged, allowing a smooth shift. Without it, the gears spinning at different speeds would clash as they try to mate.
The synchronizer unit is comprised of two main components: the sleeve and the blocker or synchronizer ring. When the driver selects, for example, first gear, the sleeve moves to the first gear and locks onto the gear engagement teeth, also known as dogs. Depressing the clutch pedal and selecting second gear results in the sleeve moving the other way and selecting second gear in the same fashion.
Before the sleeve can lock onto the gear, the rotational speed of each must first be synchronized. The friction between the blocker ring and a cone on the face of the gear equalizes their speed, allowing gears to mate without clashing. The entire process happens quickly and goes unnoticed in correctly operating transmissions.
Lubricant viscosity plays a vital role in shift feel.
Viscosity that is too high could prevent shifting until the transmission warms up or result in abnormally high temperatures during operation. Viscosity that is too low could cause the synchronizer and dog gear to engage too quickly, resulting in grinding or hard shifts and abnormal transmission wear.
2. Fight wear
Again, manual transmission fluid must protect against wear, just like an automatic transmission fluid. Manual transmission fluid, as noted earlier, tends to be a higher viscosity than automatic transmission fluid. This helps the fluid develop a thick, durable protective film.
Synchros are usually made of brass, which is softer than other metals. Certain lubricant additives aren’t compatible with brass and can damage the synchros.
The properly formulated manual transmission fluid for your vehicle will protect synchros to ensure they last as designed and promote smooth shifts.
As you may have figured out, automatic transmission fluid can, in some cases, work fine in manual transmissions. Which raises another question…
Will automatic transmission fluid work in a manual transmission?
Yes – provided the original equipment manufacturer recommends it. It’s important to check your owner’s manual to make sure before dumping ATF in your manual transmission.
In fact, some manuals may call for a gear lube or even a motor oil in older units.
