Category: Car/Truck Maintenance

What Motor Oil is Best for Cold Weather? (And Other Cold-Weather Questions)

John BakerJohn Baker|

Synthetic oil is best for cold weather. We’re done here. If only it were that simple. But most people want empirical data to support such claims.



How Engine Wear & Deposits Kill Horsepower

John BakerJohn Baker|
custom show truck at show

Most people equate engine wear and deposits with a sudden, catastrophic engine failure that leaves you stranded alongside the road. In reality, wear and deposits are more likely to erode engine power and efficiency over time. Here’s how it works and what you can do about it.



Should I Change Fluid in a Filled-for-Life Transmission?

John BakerJohn Baker|
Automatic transmission

Casual motorists generally take no interest in crawling under their vehicles on a Saturday afternoon. And, when was the last time you heard someone express excitement over dropping their car off at the dealership for maintenance?



Use This to Keep Mud Off Your ATV, Dirt Bike and More

Daisy QuakerDaisy Quaker|
Keep Mud of Your ATV with Mudslinger

If you spend your time racing down muddy trails or forging questionable terrain on your ATV, UTV, dirt bike, off-road truck or snowmobile (well, snowy trails for the latter), AMSOIL Mudslinger is about to be your best friend.



How Much Oil Does My Car Need?

John BakerJohn Baker|

The answer seems simple: probably about five quarts. But, if you drive a small car with a four-cylinder engine, it’s likely closer to four quarts. However, the V-8 engine in your truck could require about seven quarts. My in-laws’ RAM diesel pickup takes 12 quarts of motor oil.



Is an Engine Flush Good or Bad?

John BakerJohn Baker|
engine flush after

To flush or not to flush. It’s a question whose answer is obvious in the bathroom, but vigorously debated in the garage. Let’s get right to the point. Is an engine flush good or bad?



Expert Tips for Fixing Rust on a Vehicle

John BakerJohn Baker|
Fix rust on a vehicle

Most vehicle-restoration projects eventually run into rust. At some point you’ll need to repair rust holes or rusty panels. For starters, it’s unsafe; once rust starts, it tends to spread and eventually weaken the vehicle’s structure. And it looks horrible.



What to do About Frozen Diesel Fuel

Mark NyholmMark Nyholm|
frozen diesel - thermometer in winter

What if I told you AMSOIL has a product that provides as much as 32ºF better protection against cold-temperature diesel fuel gelling than Howes Lubricator Diesel Treat*? You know – Howes, one of the largest diesel fuel additive companies in the U.S.



Why Does Motor Oil Turn Black?

John BakerJohn Baker|
How to change your oil

What causes black motor oil? And when your oil darkens does it mean it’s time to change it? Well, there are a couple of factors that can cause the former. Let’s dig in. Factors causing black motor oil Heat cycles naturally darken motor oil During your drive to work in the morning, your engine reaches

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Should I Switch to a Lighter Viscosity Oil in Winter?

John BakerJohn Baker|
frozen diesel - thermometer in winter

Motorists sometimes ask if they should use a lighter viscosity of motor oil once winter arrives. Yes – provided your vehicle manufacturer allows it.