Month: April 2011

ELECTRONIC DEALER APPLICATIONS

It has been a long-standing AMSOIL policy to have new Dealer applications mailed to AMSOIL for processing. I am sure this is done because AMSOIL wants some type of signature on file. It would be very helpful if AMSOIL could figure out a way to accommodate what it requires while bringing this process into the 21st century. At this time, not even faxed applications are accepted, even though they are for every other type of account.

Everything is done online these days, from banking, order placement and even “signing” of real estate documents, all digitally and legally binding. I know other direct marketing companies register new dealers electronically. If there could be a way for AMSOIL to come up with a way for new Dealers to be registered faster than hand-filled-out, mailed paper applications, it would be very beneficial to the existing Dealer network and the new Dealers coming on-board. Thank you for your time.

AMSOIL: You are correct that an electronic Dealer application process is in order. That project is in the works right now, and it should be available very soon. Until recently, our attorneys advised against accepting electronic applications and still wanted Dealer applications signed. Recent court rulings, however, have provided more confidence in electronic applications as legally-binding agreements.

AMSOIL FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

I have been an AMSOIL Dealer for about 16 years. I use a variety of the filters, oils and greases in my lawn mowers, weed eaters, chain saws and gasoline vehicles. Over the years I have had many vehicles in which AMSOIL was used.

Now I have a new way of using AMSOIL. It is being used in a 2001 Ford Ranger that I converted from a gasoline engine to a total electric vehicle (EV). The Ranger was purchased used in 2008. I started converting the truck in June 2009 and began driving it in November 2009. The truck uses twelve 12-volt 140 amp/ hr batteries. They give me a range of 10 to 35 miles, depending on temperature, speed and aggressiveness of driving. I use the EV as my commute vehicle for work. It costs me about a dollar a day to charge. I have an AMSOIL sticker in the back window and have had people say, “You don’t use that in there anymore.” I then tell them how I still use AMSOIL in my transmission, differential, power steering and vacuum pump. AMSOIL greases are used in the u-joints, steering joints and wheel bearings.

With GM’s Volt and Nissan’s Leaf, along with all the do-it-yourself conversions, I think it would be a good time to let the world know how AMSOIL is an excellent product for the growing EV market.

Scott Musil

AMSOIL: Thank you for sharing your story, Scott. It is important for AMSOIL Dealers to realize that although the electric vehicle market is relatively small, it does present opportunity for sales.

SODIUM IN OIL

I use Signature Series 0W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil in my ‘09 Lexus. Unfortunately, it has a cartridge filter, which I have been changing at 5K to 7K intervals. At 25,000 miles, I sent in a sample of the oil to be analyzed. It came back with no antifreeze, but 53 ppm sodium. Does the 0W-30 have sodium in it as part of the additive package? If not, where would the sodium come from, since antifreeze was ruled out?

Great Products!
Bob Hallgren

AMSOIL: Like many oils, AMSOIL Signature Series 0W-30 has a trace of sodium, but no more than a few parts per million. Extra sodium in oil can come from a variety of sources, including ocean spray in areas near the coast and road spray in areas where roads are salted in the winter. Car wash detergents and aftermarket oil additives are also potential sources of extra sodium.

Even for oils that do not contain sodium as part of their additive packages, 80 ppm is right in the middle of the normal range, and the level has to exceed 160 ppm before it would be considered abnormal.

LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS

I was impressed with the extensive research that goes into covering the numerous lubricant specifications. I am curious about the process of determining the requirements of a manufacturer’s spec. Do manufacturers provide the acceptance criteria and the tests to meet for qualification? When a product is labeled as meeting those specs, does the equipment manufacturer review the test results?

I get a lot of resistance from Honda owners about AMSOIL ATF because Honda has their own specification and wording in the owner’s manual about having shifting troubles if Honda fiuid is not used. Those Honda comments have the owners shut off. Seems to me those customers believe that AMSOIL simply adds the Honda spec number to the ATF label.

I have hand-written notes in my 2002 edition G50 Product Selection Guide noting that AMSOIL ATF is okay for Honda Z-1 use, so I can’t pinpoint when the approval came about, but it was some time back.

Thanks
Jim Kochmann

AMSOIL: Yes, in most cases original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) provide the tests and limits that lubricants must meet for each application. AMSOIL products are engineered to meet, and in many cases exceed, the required criteria for every specification listed on the label. In some cases, AMSOIL works with outside entities to test and validate products for difficult-toaccess OEM specifications. This was the case with the recent addition of Honda Z-1 to the AMSOIL Synthetic Multi-Vehicle ATF specification list. AMSOIL Synthetic Multi- Vehicle ATF provides outstanding protection for Honda Z-1 (not CVT) applications.