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What’s the Best Oil for My Snowblower?

Written by Charleen

What’s the Best Oil for My Snowblower?

Using a high-quality, purpose-built oil can provide extra protection for your snowblower’s engine.

_by Brad Nelson|November 10, 2023

When a snowstorm hits, you need your snowblower to fire up and help you get the job done. But snowblower engines face unique challenges that can reduce their dependability, horsepower and longevity. Fortunately, there are maintenance practices that can vastly improve reliability, including using a specially engineered small-engine oil.

Using a high-quality, purpose-built small-engine oil can help improve the reliability and performance of your snowblower.

Tough on Oil

Although snowblower engines are used less frequently than other engines, they’re tougher on oil than most people realize.

Compared to liquid-cooled automotive engines, small engines usually lack oil filters, run hotter, operate under constant heavy load, generate more oil-damaging contaminants and are exposed to snow, water and extreme temperatures.

Snowblower engines are often stored in unheated garages or sheds where cold temperatures cause the oil to flow slower at startup, a key driver of engine wear.

Using a high-quality, purpose-built oil can provide extra protection for your snowblower’s engine, reducing the risk of component damage and prolonging its life.

However, most small-engine oils we’ve tested are nothing more than re-labeled automotive oils, which are formulated in large part to enhance fuel economy, not to survive the brutal operating conditions of a snowblower engine.

Although small engines are often used infrequently, they’re tougher on oil than most people realize.

Purpose-Built Protection

AMSOIL 100% Synthetic Small-Engine Oil isn’t a re-packaged automotive oil. We specially engineered it from the ground up for small-engine dependability. It’s built to solve the problems that plague small engines, including wear, power loss, oil consumption, harmful carbon deposits and stuck rings and valves.

Excellent Wear Protection

AMSOIL Synthetic Small-Engine Oil is a shear-stable, high-film-strength formulation fortified with a heavy dose of anti-wear additives. It does not thin out due to mechanical shear, ensuring a thick lubricating film. It forms a durable barrier that protects against metal-to-metal contact.

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Formulated for Power

Engine wear, carbon deposits, valve sticking and piston-ring sticking reduce engine power. AMSOIL Synthetic Small-Engine Oil prevents ring and valve sticking while helping eliminate carbon deposits from forming. As a result, engines produce maximum power throughout their service lives, helping you move more snow faster.

Extreme-Temperature Performance

AMSOIL 100% Synthetic Small-Engine Oil is formulated with a saturated molecular structure that offers outstanding extreme-heat resistance.

In addition, we’ve fortified the oil with potent antioxidant additives that provide further resistance to damaging heat.

Its powerful detergent additives fight carbon, varnish and sludge to maximize engine life.

In extreme cold, the oil’s naturally high viscosity index and lack of paraffins (waxes) ensure it remains fluid and flows quickly, providing easier cold-weather starts and fast startup lubrication for reduced wear.

Reduces Oil Consumption

In lab testing, AMSOIL 10W-30 Synthetic Small-Engine Oil reduced oil consumption 61% compared to three leading 10W-30/SAE 30 motor oils.¹

Its heat-resistant synthetic base oils provide low volatility, excellent viscosity stability and strong oxidation resistance.

Engines run longer between top-offs, providing peace of mind your engine won’t fail due to oil starvation and will run dependably.

Let it Snow

Prepare your snowblower engine for the next big storm with a specially engineered small-engine oil. AMSOIL 100% Synthetic Small-Engine Oil provides extra protection for your snowblower engine so you can throw snow like its no big deal all winter long.

¹Based on 125-hour lab tests of small engines using AMSOIL 10W-30 Synthetic Small-Engine Oil and three leading 10W-30/SAE 30 motor oils.

 

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AMSOIL Hybrid Motor Oil Protects Hybrid Engines

Written by Charleen

AMSOIL Hybrid Motor Oil Addresses Hybrid Engine Challenges

_by Johnny Gage |Dec 7th, 2023

Your Maintenance Choices should match the Motives of Hybrid Engine ownership

Hybrid vehicles are designed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. They combine an internal combustion engine powered by traditional fuels with an electric motor powered by batteries. The electric motor is used to propel the vehicle from stops and for low-speed driving and the gasoline engine takes over powering the vehicle at higher speed and recharges the batteries.  

Hybrids are projected to be 18% of cars on the road by 2035 and roughly half of all hybrid owners identify themselves as automotive enthusiasts. These are drivers searching for modern technology and premium products, who are also committed to maintaining their own vehicles, maximizing safety and reliability, and saving money. 

Hybrid engine challenges – You mean they didn’t do any long term studies??

So often new engine technology requires specific lubricant needs but the call to the manufacturers for a new specification usually lags the issues after issues are discovered.

Hybrid vehicles endure a unique set of challenges due to frequent starting and stopping of the engine. Intermittent operation of combustion engines makes them especially vulnerable to corrosion.

The Key Issue: The infrequent use and instant load  before the engine has had time to warm up creates a situation where the engine cannot evaporate condensation inside the block. This causes rust, greater wear and reduces efficiency. Cooler cylinders can also cause incomplete combustion, increasing the likelihood of unburnt fuel leaking into the crankcase and contaminating the motor oil. It happens all the time and can be mitigated! 

Often the lubricant requirements for these vehicles unique situations are beyond what is available off the shelf at your auto parts store. Not to mention that lower standard of oil you get with the “A Year of Free Oil Changes” or vats at the quicklube.  Not so with AMSOIL!!

Additionally, motor oil needs to flow quickly to critical components every time the engine engages, which is problematic when the engine is constantly cold due to being idle. Hybrid engines are also required to engage quickly under high-load operation to assist the electric motor and must be able to rapidly reach increased engine speeds.

Hybrid engines require high-quality oil that resists moisture, flows properly before it reaches operating temperatures and resists oxidation once it heats up.  

Hybrid solution

AMSOIL 100% Synthetic Hybrid Motor Oil is specifically engineered to address the unique demands of hybrid electric (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) engines, with a boosted dose of dispersants and inhibitors to help prevent condensation-related corrosion and maintain optimal engine performance. Its robust viscosity combats the negative effects of fuel dilution and maintains consistent and optimal flow of oil to key engine components at low temperatures, ensuring rapid protection at startup.  

AMSOIL 100% Synthetic Hybrid Motor Oil (0W-20 and 0W-16) is API Licensed & ILSAC Licensed and is recommended for service intervals of 15,000 miles or 1 year in normal service. It is a premium upgrade over vehicle manufacturer-branded motor oils, delivering purpose-built protection that extends oil drain intervals and maximizes hybrid performance, fuel economy and engine life. Follow the owner’s manual recommendation for severe service intervals. 

AMSOIL 100% Synthetic Hybrid Motor Oil is tailored to the unique challenges presented by hybrid vehicles, making it an excellent choice for hybrid owners looking for an upgrade in hybrid engine protection.

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8 Hot AMSOIL Products for Your Vintage Cruiser

Written by Charleen
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8 Hot AMSOIL Products for Your Hot Rod

Jamie Gibson|

Pontiac 389

If you’re anything like us, the highly anticipated sights and sounds of hot rods, muscle cars and restomods returning to the open road makes you a bit giddy. It’s a sure sign of road trips, car shows and all things summer.

In honor of the classic car re-emergence of the season, we put together a list of 8 AMSOIL products aimed at keeping those engines humming for decades to come. Hot rod owners spare no time or expense in maintaining their vehicle-babies, which is good for the rest of us because we look forward to seeing them age gracefully a bit more each year.

Break-In Oil

For those installing a new engine in their hot rod, consider starting off on the right foot with AMSOIL Break-In Oil. It’s formulated with zinc and phosphorus anti-wear additives to protect critical components during break-in periods when engine wear rates are highest. It doesn’t contain friction modifiers to allow for quick and efficient piston ring seating, an important aspect of the break-in process to ensure maximum power and engine longevity.

Engine Assembly Lube

As they say, a new engine isn’t built in a day. Partially assembled engines can sit idle for weeks or months at a time. During this process, an engine assembly lube must be applied that will cling to parts and provide wear protection, inhibit rust corrosion and help prevent deposit formation. AMSOIL Engine Assembly Lube handles all of the above.

Z-ROD Synthetic Motor Oil

AMSOIL Z-ROD Synthetic Motor Oil was made for hot rods. It is engineered specifically for classic and high-performance vehicles to perform on the street and protect during storage. It features a high-zinc formulation that protects flat-tappet camshafts and critical engine components, along with a proprietary blend of rust and corrosion inhibitors for added protection during long-term storage. It’s available in both 10W-30 and 20W-50 viscosities.

Premium Protection Synthetic Motor Oil – The Original

AMSOIL Premium Protection Synthetic Motor Oil has been around for years and has earned a loyal following thanks to its excellent performance. Hot rod and classic car owners understand the importance of using a high-zinc oil. This product, available in 10W-40 and 20W-50 viscosities, stands as a flagship high-zinc lubricant. It delivers excellent protection for other high-pressure components, like bearings and pistons, to keep engines running peak.

Check out AMSOIL Technical Services Representative Ryan Lawrey’s vintage pickup:

Miracle Wash Waterless Wash and Wax Spray

Most hot rod owners are dedicated to keeping their vehicle’s appearance on par with its performance. For those who wouldn’t have it any other way, AMSOIL Miracle Wash is a must-have in the glove box or trunk. Simply spray and wipe off to lift dirt away from the surface instantly. It leaves vehicles with a super-shiny finish that protects against dust, light dirt and harmful ultraviolet rays.

Gasoline Stabilizer

When it’s time to prepare for storage at the end of the season, AMSOIL Gasoline Stabilizer is crucial to ensuring your ride is road-ready the following year. Gasoline can degrade in as little as 30 days. Treat your fuel tank prior to parking the vehicle for the winter to help prevent fuel degradation and poor engine performance when it’s time to start it up again in the spring.

DOMINATOR Octane Boost

In the olden days, vehicles were manufactured to run on leaded gasoline. As a result, classic and collector autos often require the use of a lead substitute to preserve the components that were designed for the fuel of days gone by.

AMSOIL DOMINATOR Octane Boost is excellent as a lead substitute in older vehicles. It increases octane up to four numbers, helping reduce engine knock and improve ignition while helping fuel burn more cleanly.

Engine Fogging Oil

Any engine facing storage or lengthy inactivity should be treated with a good dose of Engine Fogging Oil first. Giving the cylinders a shot protects them from rust, corrosion and harmful dry starts when it comes time to fire up the car again the following year.

Speaking of next year, check out our stored vehicle tips before parking your hot rod or classic car at summer’s end.  In the meantime, enjoy the open road with peace of mind that your engine and components are protected by products from a company that’s been making high-quality products since the days when hot rods were rolling off the assembly line.

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OE 0W-16: Light and Strong

Written by Charleen
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OE 0W-16: Light and Strong

Now in stock in Sioux Falls. Exit 73 behind Marlins!

A 0W-16 viscosity motor oil may seem exotic to North American drivers, but as fuel efficiency requirements increase, it may become a common recommendation of manufacturers worldwide. Japanese engineers have long experimented with ultra-thin motor oils, and 0W-16 has been in regular use in Japan since the 90s.

The Benefits of Going Thin

Lower viscosity motor oil can increase fuel economy, and the pressure to create engines that sip less fuel has hastened the introduction of these viscosities to North America. The stated fuel mileage estimates for several 2018 vehicles were calculated with 0W-16 motor oil installed. Beyond fuel economy, lower viscosity oil can also provide excellent cold-starts in the most frigid temperatures.

See the latest updates via this product spec sheet covering the OE line. This link is automatically updated any time there is a change in data.

OE 0W-16 Synthetic Motor Oil

The primary concern with low viscosity oil is wear protection. Like the rest of the OE line, OE 0W-16 develops a strong fluid film that keeps metal components separated and protected. Our work didn’t end with simply blending a new viscosity. OE 0W-16 Synthetic Motor Oil (OES) is formulated with unique anti-wear additives that protect critical engine parts like pistons and cams. This added protection is particularly important in the extreme environments produced by today’s smaller-displacement engines that run on lower viscosity oil.

  • Provides advanced wear protection
  • Improves fuel economy & maintains low emissions
  • Protects pistons from low-speed pre-ignition
  • Keeps engines clean
  • Protects in all temperatures
  • Meets the requirements of popular new vehicles like the 2018 Toyota* Camry* and the 2018 Honda* Fit*
  • Recommended for use in applications that require the API SN PLUS (Resource Conserving) specification. Use only where 0W-16 is specified. Do not substitute for 0W-20 or other viscosity.

 

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Why Buy Signature Series? Nothing Comes Close

Written by Charleen

Why Buy Signature Series?

There are many big names out there. A lot of new start-ups claiming to be the Holy Grail in engine oil. But in short, AMSOIL remains on top for one reason – the founder AJ Amatuzio wanted to provide a product where the customer can be certain he (or she) is getting what is expected.  Nothing is scaled down to improve profit margins. (There are no share holders) Simply the best and that process involves earning the highest respect from suppliers for the privilege of developing the finest finished lubricants.

Setting Standards For You to Measure From

Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil is not only the best oil we have ever made, it’s better than any competitive oil we have tested. Advanced engine technology and the normal demands of everyday life generate extreme conditions that can challenge motor oil and engine life. Signature Series delivers the ultimate protection against everyday extremes like towing and extended idling. Don’t just take our word for it; read on for proof.

Do you drive in hot temperatures?

In testing, kept pistons clean and held oil thickening to only 6 percent, a minimal amount compared to the proposed specification limit of 150 percent4. 50 percent more detergents5 to help keep oil passages clean and promote oil circulation. Provides 90 percent better protection against sludge6.

Do you have long commutes?

30 percent more acid-neutralizing power8 than Mobil 1*, and 36 percent more than Royal Purple*, helping engines stay cleaner, longer. Reserve protection, so you can go up to 25,000 miles, 700 hours of operation or one year between oil changes, whichever comes first.

Does your vehicle have a turbocharger?

72 percent better turbocharger protection than required2 by the GM dexos1® Gen 2 specification. Achieved 100 percent protection against low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI)3.

Do you tow or haul?

75 percent more engine protection against horsepower loss and wear7.

Do you drive in cold temperatures?

66 percent better cold-temperature performance for easier starting, better fuel economy, improved oil flow and reduced wear.

Do you want extra engine protection?

Far superior wear protection compared to the competition – kept bearings looking like new after 100,000-mile test1.

1Testing conducted in an independent lab using AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil and a leading synthetic-blend 5W-30 motor oil in Ford F-150 trucks with 3.5L twin-turbo engines. 2Based on independent testing of AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30 in the GM turbo coking test. 3Based on zero LSPI events in five consecutive tests of AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30 Motor Oil in the LSPI engine test required by the GM dexos1 Gen 2 specification.  4Based on the ILSAC GF-5 PLUS specification. 5vs. AMSOIL OE Motor Oil 6Based on independent testing of AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30 in the ASTM D6593 engine test for oil screen plugging as required by the API SN specification. 7Based on independent testing of AMSOIL Signature Series 0W-20, in ASTM D6891 as required by the API SN specification. 8Based upon independent testing of Mobil 1 Annual Protection Full Synthetic 5W-30, Royal Purple High Performance 5W-30 and AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30 in ASTM D2896. Oils purchased 05/03/18. *All trademarked names 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.

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