The Original Synthetic Motor Oil

Latest News and Information in the World of Lubrication

Reprinted from The Direct Line & The Action News

May-August 2005

Past issues of Auto Technology & Lubrication News

Briefly

Brand Loyalty on the Upswing

Although brand loyalty among Class 8 truck buyers has mostly decreased in recent years, the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Heavy Duty Truck Consumer Satisfaction Study indicates it may be coming back. When it comes time to replace their current truck, 43 percent of respondents said they will definitely purchase the same brand. That number is up from the 39 percent reported in 2003, but below the 50 percent levels typical of the late 1990's. Kenworth ranked the highest in customer satisfaction among vocational trucks, followed by Peterbilt and International. International ranked the highest in dealer service, followed by Peterbilt, Kenworth and Mack.

Water Ingress Tip

According to Martin Williamson, Senior Technical Consultant, Noria UK Ltd., although water-removing type filters can remove small amounts of water from a gearbox, significant levels of water require addressing the root cause of the water ingress. "Too much water subjective, buy technically, if there is visible emulsified water (cloudiness of the oil), this is too much," says Williamson. "As such, there is an ingress source that needs attention. Typically water will be an issue dependent upon the unit location (indoors/outdoors), proximity to any process water, or any wash down activity that may take place near the gearbox. or any steam source in the vicinity. The use of a desiccating breather of expansion diaphragm-type sealed unit may also reduce the moisture ingress, as will deploy8ing better quality seals and education the personnel responsible for wash-down activity."

Power Sports Market Continues Growing

AMSOIL Formula 4-Stroke™ Power Sports Synthetic Motor Oil offers superior protection for power sports applications.

The ATV market has shown consistent growth in recent years, with sales increasing four percent in 2002, three percent in 2003 and 6.5 percent in 2004. Sales are expected to increase six percent overall in 2005, and they have increased a whopping 472 percent since 1990.

Recent years have also seen the growing momentum of utility vehicles and "side-by-sides." Physically less demanding to ride off-road and featuring additional seating and a cargo bed, side-by-sides have become popular alternatives to ATV's in recreational applications. Utility vehicles have become popular in work and recreational applications, especially among hunters and large estate and hobby farm owners.

New side-by-side vehicles are difficult to classify. While their bench or bucket seats with multiple passenger capability differentiate them from ATV's, they also feature light cargo bed capabilities, twice the ground clearance and more speed than traditional utility vehicles.

A survey performed by Powersports Business shows demand for sport quads, utility vehicles and side-by-sides is growing. "We're gaining speed on the sport side of things with the new models on the market, buy utility quads still account for probably 70 percent of our ATV sales here and, as far as vehicle sales go, Yamaha's Rhinos are sold before they even hit the floor," says Matt Isard, co-owner of Power Motor Sports in Fremont, Mich.

ATV parts and accessories are a big business and, according to Isard, sport enthusiasts come to his store in search of rims, tires, pipes, axles, handlebars and riding gear, while utility riders purchase soft bags (tank, fender and front and rear rack), plow blades, winch kits and windshields.

Owners of Yamaha's side-by-side Rhino model are also coming in for add-ons. "They've had them a few months, got a little use out of them, and now they're looking for cabs, plows, winches and a number of other things," says Isard.

According to Baron Horton of Central Yamaha in Plano, Texas, ATV sales at his dealership are split evenly between sport and utility. "People with utility quads are looking at big wheel kits - mostly from ITP - Quad Boss and Moose racks and bags," says Horton. "Sport riders are looking at pipes, jet kits, wheel and tire kits, sprockets, anything performance. People seem to be looking for gear for their Rhinos, too, using Yamaha's branded accessories - skid plates and big wheel kits mostly."

"Everybody in this area rides ATV's," says Dee Bitting of Turning Wheel Sport Center in Leesburg, Fla. "A lot of people who live around here have five to ten acres. Racing is big in this area but don't get me wrong, we deal a lot of the Kodiak, Grizzly and Bruins, too"

According to Bitting, FMF pipes, V-Force Delta reeds, ITP Holeshot wheel kits and Pro Design Cool Heads are all big sellers in the sport quad market. Orders for engine parts usually boosts their service department, with engine work accounting for 25 to 30 percent of total revenue.

According to Billy Benigno of Hanover Honda-Yamaha in Whippany, N.J., the Yamaha Rhino is one of his most popular vehicles. "As far as ATV's go, people seem to be looking for the biggest and the baddest," says Benigno. "Right now we're selling sport quads like crazy, but we've also had a lot of interest in the Yamaha Rhino."

Top performance and extended equipment life are essential to power sports vehicle owners. AMSOIL Formula 4-Stroke® Power Sports Synthetic Motor Oil (AFF) provides outstanding protection and performance in high performance, recreational and work/utility power sports vehicles. Its broad 0W-40 viscosity range and wax free formulation make it excellent for use in both hot and cold temperature extremes. AMSOIL Formula 4-Stroke® Power Sports is recommended for four-stroke engines and transmissions on two or four-stroke powered applications.

Hybrid Vehicle Market Continues Strong Growth

According to R.L. Polk & Co., nationwide hybrid vehicle registrations increased to 83,153 in 2004, an increase of 81 percent over 2003. The Toyota Prius and Honda Civic are the most popular hybrid models, with the Prius occupying 64 percent of the market and the Civic occupying 31 percent. The market has grown a staggering 960 percent since the introduction of hybrid vehicle in 2000.

"Expectations of continuing high gas prices, combined with the introduction of new models to the consumer market, have heightened interest in hybrid vehicles," says Lonnie Miller, director of Polk's Analytical Solutions. "Hybrids offer improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions while maintaining the functionality and convenience of gasoline-powered vehicles. Hybrid technology is also easy to produce and works within the existing transportation infrastructure."

The popularity of hybrid vehicles has prompted manufacturers to offer an increasing number of choices. Most recently, hybrid versions of the Dodge Ram, Lexus RX 400h and Mercury Mariner have entered the market, and the 2006 model year will see hybrid versions of the Saturn VUE, Toyota Highlander and Nissan Altima. Almost a dozen new hybrid vehicle models are expected to be introduced within the next three years.

California leads the nation in new hybrid vehicle registrations, recording 25,021 in 2004. The top metropolitan areas for hybrid registrations were Los Angeles and San Francisco, with 10,399 and 9,051 respectively.

Motorcycle Problems Prevalent

The J.D. Power and Associates Motorcycle Competitive Information Study, a random survey of customers who purchased a new street or dual-sport motorcycle between September 2002 and May 2003, revealed 55.2 percent of owners experienced no problems with their bikes.

Of the 44.8 percent of survey respondents who reported problems, 26.9 percent reported one problem, 10.8 percent reported two, 4.9 percent reported three, 1.5 percent reported four and 0.69 percent reported five or more.

The problems reported included engine problems (17.8%), electrical problems (12.7%), transmission/drivetrain problems (11.4%), fit/finish problems (10.6%) and gauge/control problems (7.9%). Another 12.6 percent listed their problems as "other."

Despite 44.8 percent of survey participants reporting problems, 44.5 percent rated their bike's build quality as a "10" while 21.2 percent gave their bike a "9" and 15.3 percent rated their bike as an "8." Only 19 percent ranked their motorcycle as a "7" or less.

Among the survey participants, 49 percent indicated their bikes experienced fewer problems than they anticipated, 38.6 percent indicated problems were about what they expected and only 12.4 percent indicated their bikes had more problems than they expected.

Briefly

Commercial Vehicle Registrations Up in 2004

According to R.L. Polk & Co., new commercial vehicle registrations in weight Classes 4-8 increased almost 26 percent in 2004 over 2003. According to Polk's data, Class 4 vehicles showed a 19.3 percent increase, Class 5 vehicles showed a 6.9 percent increase, Class 6 vehicles showed the largest gain with a 34.1 percent increase, Class 7 vehicles showed a 17.3 percent increase and Class 8 vehicles showed a 33.8 percent increase. With 202,264 new registrations, Class 8 vehicles represent the largest single group. Although Polk's data does not include Class 3 vehicles, Ward's Communications reports and 18 percent increase for Class 3 vehicles in 2004.

Gearbox Tip

Andy Monk, Managing Director, Lubrisolve Engineering Solutions Ltd., recommends installing vertical sight gauges on critical gearboxes without dipsticks or sight glasses. The addition of a sight gauge allows the oil to be checked quickly without removing the level plug and shows oil levels even if the gearbox is mounted in an unusual orientation. Monk offers the following installation points:

1) Do not fit the gauge to the level plug, as you could overfill the box. Instead, fit the gauge to a low point, preferably the drain.
2) Mark the static level and the running level on the gauge to avoid mistakes.
3) To avoid partial vacuums that cause false readings, be sure the gearbox has a breather.

Transmission Preventive Maintenance

Automatic transmission fluid plays a key role in extending transmission life.

Just a few decades ago, many European and Asian import vehicles incorporated variations of the mechanically controlled Borg-Warner automatic transmission. Today, imported vehicles use a full range of diverse computer-controlled automatic transmissions. A simple count of the pan gasket configurations on a transmission filter application chart gives a clear idea of the market's diversity. The manual transmission market has grown in much the same way. When it comes to automatic and manual transmission service, most shops today choose to focus on fluid maintenance and external adjustments, leaving internal repairs and rebuilds to transmission specialists.

Import transmissions have a reputation for being very reliable, complicating the task of developing a failure profile analysis. For all but the high volume shops specializing in a particular nameplate, it's almost impossible to develop the experience necessary to diagnose, estimate and repair specific transmission failures.

Due to increased transmission reliability, customers and service writers often ignore transmission service. However, transmissions still wear out and break, and the repairs can be quite expensive. As a result, preventive maintenance is an important issue.

The condition of the automatic transmission fluid plays an important role in extending transmission life. The fluid's color, odor and opacity provide clues to whether the fluid, or fluid and filter, requires changing. Although a color change from red to straw color can usually be attributed to normal aging, a brown color indicates oxidation or particulate contamination from worn clutches and bands. Black or heavily oxidized fluid indicates slippage of another transmission failure.

Opacity is the clearness of the fluid. Use the fingerprint test to determine the cleanliness of used automatic transmission fluid. Simply place a drop of fluid on a fingertip. If the fingerprint is not visible through the fluid, it should be changed. Water contamination has a large effect on fluid viscosity and opacity, with the fluid becoming more viscous and opaque as contamination increases.

Some Fluid has a burned smell, but this odor is relevant only if the fluid is opaque, brown or blackened.

Manual transmissions still comprise a sizeable portion of the import market. An early sign of failure is a loss in shift quality. Gear engagement may become more difficult, or the transmission may grind during gear changes. Other failures involve excessive noise from worn bearings, low fluid level and worn or mis-matched gear teeth.

The first step to diagnosing the problem is clutch evaluation. Whether cold or hot, it should engage smoothly and release cleanly. Engaging the reverse gear when the clutch pedal is depressed shows whether the clutch release is clean and complete. If reverse gear grinds, the clutch mechanical or cable linkage may require adjustment. For a hydraulic clutch linkage, the master and slave cylinders may require bleeding or replacement.

If shifting a manual transmission is difficult in cold weather conditions, the wrong transmission fluid may be installed. If gear clash arises during downshifting, it is likely due to worn gear synchronizers. If the gearshift binds between gears, it is likely the internal shift forks came loose from the shifting rods of rails. If transmission noise gets worse as oil temperature rises, it may be caused by rough transmission bearings.

If an automatic transmission is equipped with a magnetic particulate trap, evaluate the quality and quantity of the debris. Large collections of iron particles may indicate worn internal gear parts. Most manual import transmissions feature magnetic check and drain plugs, and they should be examined for excessive steel and iron particles. Small amounts are a normal part of the gear break-in or wearing process.

AMSOIL Synthetic Universal Automatic Transmission Fluid is a premium quality ATF formulated to exceed the performance requirements of domestic and foreign automatic transmission fluids, providing smooth shifting, superior wear protection and outstanding performance for extended drain intervals.

AMSOIL Synthetic Manual Transmission and Transaxle Gear Lube is designed to provide superior protection for synchronized manual transmissions and transaxles. Formulated with extreme pressure additives and advanced synchromesh qualities, Synthetic Manual Transmission and Transaxle Gear Lube provides smooth shifts while protecting gears, bearing and seals.

AMSOIL Synthetic Synchromesh Transmission Fluid is specifically designed to provide superior protection for manual transmissions and transaxles with synchromesh systems. Formulated with advanced additive technology, Synthetic Synchromesh Transmission Fluid Provides proper friction characteristics for smooth shifting without grinding or bump shifting.

Extend Gearbox Life and Reduce Expenses

In order to eliminate contaminants, gearboxes are typically drained quarterly, semi-annually or annually. Following drainage, at least five percent of the old oil usually remains in the gearbox. For this reason, it is a good practice to drain oil shortly after shutdown to prevent the accumulation of sludge and contaminants in the bottom of the sump. Otherwise, when the gearbox is refilled with fresh lubricant and restarted, the contaminants become resuspended, defeating the purpose of the oil change.

Drew Troyer of Noria Corporation offers the following tips:

1) Drain the old lubricant within 15 minutes of shutdown and prefilter the fresh oil.

2) Rather than draining the oil to eliminate contaminants, periodically filter the oil with a portable filtration cart while the machine is in operation. Make use of oil analysis to determine when the oil requires changing. Employing this strategy reduces overall maintenance expenses, extends equipment life and requires little investment.

3) Install full time filtration on the gearbox and use oil analysis to determine when to change the oil. This strategy also reduces maintenance expenses and extends equipment life, but requires more upfront investment.

"Alternative No. 1 helps, but alternatives No. 2 and No. 3 are the best," says Troyer. "Most scheduled oil changes can be eliminated with the one-two punch of filtration and oil analysis. This strategy reduces lubricant and labor costs - and the fact that your gearboxes will last longer is a major bonus. Plus, the maintenance of the fluid can typically be performance during run-time, shrinking the task list during scheduled outages."

Briefly

GM to Produce More E85 Capable Vehicles

General Motors announced production plans for E85-capable Chevrolet Avalanches for use in 28 member states of the Governors' Ethanol Coalition (GEC), a group of governors devoted to increased use of ethanol fuels. GM is the nation's largest producer of E85 flexible fuel vehicles. E85 fuel is a renewable, domestically produced fuel made up of 85 percent ethyl alcohol and 15 percent gasoline. Produced from the starch in agricultural products, E85 delivers similar performance as regular gasoline while reducing emissions and dependence on foreign gasoline. "The participating members are excited to promote E85 capable vehicles across the country and appreciate GM's support of our mission to increase ethanol use," said Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, GEC chairman. "This proactive decision by GM will help the U.S. decrease our dependence on imported energy sources and improve the environment."

Greasing Tip

Noria Corporation offers the following three tips for keeping dirt and contaminants out of greased bearings during relubrication:

1) Place plastic cups over the grease fittings to keep contamination out.

2) Wipe down fittings with a lintless cloth or clean rag before greasing.

3) When it is not being used, cover the end of the grease gun with Saran Wrap or other clinging cooking wrap.

Oil Cleanliness Essential for Peak Performance

Contamination control procedures keep equipment running at top efficiency.

For years, many companies neglected oil cleanliness in circulating oil systems such as bearing, hydraulic and gearbox lube systems. However, oil cleanliness has become increasingly important as markets have become more competitive, profit margins have become smaller and companies demand improved asset performance. Because the competitive edge sought by today's industries can be achieved by producing the highest quality products at the lowest cost, equipment reliability has a top priority.

Oil is crucial to keeping circulating oil systems running at peak efficiency. Not only does it provide critical lubrication, it is also used for power transmission, surface protection, heat transfer and surface cleansing. Clean oil handling practices are essential to preventing oil contamination. According to Practicing Oil Analysis, the following requirements are essential for effective contamination control.

Filtration

Filtration is critical for catching contaminants. A filter system or cart should be in place at the first intrusion into the oil container and at each lubricant transfer.

Headspace Control

Air enters a system when oil is circulating in a reservoir or churning inside the housing. It is important for this air to be filtered in order to remove the particulates suspended in the atmosphere.

Quick Connects

Transfer hoses should be equipped with quick-connects to prevent contamination of the hose from the environment, provide leak-free connections to tanks and reservoirs and allow a method for off-line filtration should contaminant levels rise too high.

Oil analysis is an important tool for measuring the effectiveness of contamination control procedures. In order to acquire good data, it is important to consider sample port location. The best location for a sample port is upstream of a return-line filter on the oil return to the reservoir. Because it will trap most particulate contamination, placing the sample port downstream of a filter does not work for general system monitoring. It can, however, provide good data on filter effectiveness.

A company's lubrication technician plays the most important role in keeping oil clean. He or she must be qualified, well-trained, dedicated and knowledgeable about contamination control and implement the procedures necessary to minimize contaminant ingression. Equipment lasts longer, decreasing operating expenses and maximizing productivity, return on investment and profits.

Passenger Vehicles Staying on the Road Longer

According to R.L. Polk & Co., the number of vehicles scrapped as a percentage of vehicles on the road has declined for the fourth consecutive year. The percentage of total vehicles scrapped in the U.S. in 2004 was only 5.3 percent, the lowest figure since 1993. Passenger car scrappage rate was 4.8 percent in 2004, the lowest number since 1948. Truck scrappage rate fell to 6.0 percent, down from the 7.7 percent reported in 2003.

The median age of passenger cars increased to 8.9 years in 2004, marking an all-time high. Median age for trucks fell to 6.6 years dropping from the 6.7 reported in 2003 due mainly to a record 9.8 million new truck registrations in 2004

"Since vehicles are lasting longer, and new light truck registrations remain around nine million per year, we will see a noticeable change in the proportion of cars versus light trucks in the near future," said Polk product manager Marty Miller.

Passenger cars made up 59 percent of total vehicles in operation in 2004, while light trucks accounted for 41 percent. Polk predicts percentage of cars will decrease to 54 percent by 2009, while light tricks will increase to 46 percent.

Briefly

Ford Oil Leak

Some 2003-2004 Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator and Mercury Mountaineer models may produce an oil leak from underneath the front end. It is likely a leak on the axle seal of the passenger side front axle tube. Ford advises getting the vehicle in the air and inspecting both front axle tubes. According to Ford, if the seal has spun in its bore, it will be necessary to replace the entire front axle assembly. If the seal is leaking, but the bore is unharmed, replace only the axle seal.

Oil Drum Cleanliness Tip

Dave Beale, Lubrication/Reliability Engineer, Mainland Products, advises wrapping infrequently used drums of oil with stretch wrap (or cling film). "This will keep the top of the drum perfectly clean and protect labeling, leaving it perfectly legible through the film," says Beale.

Easier Oil Level Reading

Poor lighting and dusty conditions can make reading oil levels difficult on equipment with vented oil tube sight glasses. Spencer Anderson, PDM Tech., TLNA A.E. Staley, advises removing the tube and glass during equipment inspection, cleaning the inside of the tube with a degreaser and coloring the inside with a white or bright colored marker that is compatible with the oil. "A felt-tip white metal marking stick works great because it allows you to get inside the tube channel," says Anderson. "This has worked well on several machines at our facility. Equipment oil levels will be easier to detect with the lighter background."

Consumer Attitude Study Reveals Consumer Buying Habits

Aftermarket Business released its 9th Annual Consumer Attitude Study in June. Based on survey results of 40,000 consumers, the study reveals consumer buying habits in 22 automotive product categories, including motor oil, filters, antifreeze, spark plugs and windshield wipers. Across the board, recommendations from others, brand name and performance claims were overwhelmingly cited as the top reasons for purchasing a particular product, while price appears to play a smaller role in decision making.

Motor Oil

The survey reveals the average motor oil change interval is 3,832 miles. While changing oil, consumers commonly perform other automotive preventive maintenance, including adding washer fluid and checking brake and transmission fluid, tire pressure, batteries, headlamps, taillights and turn signals. Three out of five consumers surveyed indicated their brand and type of motor oil were recommended by a professional mechanic, while 31 percent received input from a relative or friend. Synthetic motor oil users cited better performance and less engine wear as the primary reasons for using a synthetic.

Filters

The oil, air and fuel filter recommendations of professional mechanics are important to consumers, with 85 percent of survey respondents indicating their filter brand choice was influenced by a professional mechanic or salesperson. When shopping for a new filter, 38 percent of consumers purchased other automotive products, including motor oil, batteries and gas tank cleaners.

Spark Plugs

While the survey indicated the average spark plug change interval is 22,138 miles, over 40 percent of survey respondents indicated they change spark plugs at least every 10,000 miles. Half indicated they use long life plugs designed for use beyond 30,000 miles. Almost 90 percent change oil while changing spark plugs, while 71 percent change filters and 50 percent perform a tune-up. More than half the respondents chose spark plugs based on a mechanic's recommendation, while 25 percent were influenced by a family member or friend and 17 percent asked a salesperson. Air freshener, hand soap, brake pads, oil filters, cables and wires are commonly purchased along with spark plugs.

Windshield Wipers

Half the survey respondents prefer wiper refills, while the other half prefer replacing the entire blade. About 73 percent clean the windshield when changing wipers, using either a Windex-type product or wiper fluid. Two out of five respondents perform other maintenance when changing wipers, including fluid and tire pressure checks and oil changes.

Antifreeze/Coolant

Almost half the survey respondents flush and fill their vehicles with coolant once a year, more often than manufacturers typically recommend. Additional maintenance performed during coolant flushes include oil changes and checking other fluids and filters, tire pressure, belts, hoses and batteries. Extended life antifreezes are used by 30 percent of survey respondents. When purchasing antifreeze, 20 percent of consumers purchase other automotive products, including fluids/lubes, gas booster, gaskets and sealers.

Briefly

Future Looks Bright for 4WD

According to the J.D. Power and Associates "2004 Global 4WD Driveline Market Report," four-wheel-drive vehicle production will rise significantly in the coming years. The report estimates production of four-wheel-drive cars, trucks and crossover vehicles to climb from its current 28 percent of total North American production to 37 percent by 2008. Automakers are expected to equip an increasing number of front-wheel drive models with four-wheel or all-wheel drive capabilities. While 87 percent of all four-wheelers are currently based on rear-drive drivelines, the number is expected to fall to 68 percent by 2008. The popularity of SUV's is the leading force behind the 4WD surge, with 64 percent of SUV's having 4WD capability, followed by 42 percent of pickups, four percent of vans and three percent of cars.

Equipment Storage Tip

According to the "Rolling Bearings Handbook and Troubleshooting Guide," "When equipment is to be stored, the bearings and the housings should be coated with a good rust preventive and totally filled with grease. The entire housing should then be wrapped with close-conforming plastic sheeting." This practice effectively protects bearings and steel cages for four years, while bearings with bronze cages are protected for three years. Before putting the equipment back into service, remove the rust preventive and storage grease from the bearing housing and lubricate with grease or oil, depending on the application. AMSOIL offers Metal Protector, Heavy Duty Metal Protector and a full line of premium synthetic greases.

Harley-Davidson and Sport Bike Riders Exhibit Different Tendencies

A person's motorcycle can tell a lot about hem. According to a nationwide survey performed by The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, Harley-Davidson riders and sport bike riders are distinctly different groups of people, but they also share some key similarities.

Harley riders are notorious for wearing what they ride. In fact, Harley riders are three times more likely than sport bike riders to own clothing or artwork that proudly displays what brand of motorcycle they ride. A staggering 93 percent of Harley riders own Harley-related clothing and artwork, while only 30 percent of sport bike riders own clothing and artwork related to their motorcycle brand. In addition, Harley riders are more likely to have tattoos and piercings (52 percent) than sport bike riders (40 percent).

The survey indicates Harley riders are more likely to plan their riding around where they'll eat (32 percent) than sport bike riders (23 percent), while sport bike riders are three times more likely to eat at fast food restaurants (18 percent) than Harley riders (six percent). In addition, Harley riders are four times more likely (11 percent) to select restaurants with the most attractive waiters/waitresses than sport bike riders (three percent).

"At Progressive, many of us involved in our motorcycle business are riders, too, and this survey was a fun, tongue-in-cheek way of getting to know more about our fellow bikers," says Progressive motorcycle product manager Rick Stern. "Motorcycle insurance is a very specialized product, and you never know what bit of information may lead to the next insurance innovation."

Harley and sport bike riders have a lot in common as well. Both cite "freedom" as the main reason they ride, while only miniscule numbers cited "speed" as the reason they ride. Both groups take their bikes out on quick rides to run errands, test the engine and visit friends.

According to Progressive, 95 percent of all bikers acknowledge other bikers when riding. Waving is a popular means of acknowledgment (37 percent), although Harley riders are twice as likely to acknowledge another rider by pointing two fingers down (29 percent versus 16 percent) and six times more likely to only acknowledge bikers riding the same style bike (18 percent versus three percent).

The survey also reported the following:

a majority of bikers (88 percent) donate time or money to charities. Two-thirds of Harley riders and one-third of sport bike riders ride in at least one charity ride per year.

While at work, 69 percent of bikers daydream about riding on a daily basis.

Eighteen percent of bikers call in sick to work at least once a year to go riding.

Women riders most enjoy riding with their significant other (58 percent), while men would rather ride with their friends (63 percent).

Harley riders (73 percent) most prefer adding custom parts to their bikes to enhance the appearance, while sport bike riders (44 percent) prefer adding performance equipment.

All bikers are interested in protecting their equipment, while gaining maximum performance. AMSOIL offers two premium motorcycle oils designed to provide maximum protection and performance for Harley-Davidson and sport bikes.

20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil
API SG, SL/CF · JASO MA & API GL-1

AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MCV) is recommended for Harley-Davidson, Buell, Victory, Ducati, BMW, Aprilia and Triumph motorcycles calling for a 15W-50 or 20W-50 viscosity, providing superior protection in engines, transmissions and primary chaincases.

10W-40 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil
API SG, SL/CF · JASO MA & API GL-1

AMSOIL 10W-40 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MCF) is recommended for Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, BMW, Husqvarna and KTM motorcycles calling for a 10W-40 or 20W-40 viscosity, providing superior protection in engines and transmissions.

For more product information or pricing click the Online Store link in the Menu at the top of this page.

Briefly

California City Introduces Complete Hybrid Bus Fleet

With a fleet of remanufactured gasoline hybrid-electric powered buses, Elk Grove, Calif. launched its new transit service known as e-tran. According to city manager John Danielson, Elk Grove is the first U.S. city to have a full hybrid-electric commuter bus fleet. The remanufactured buses were originally 40-foot 1991 Gilig Phantoms before being completely rebuilt by Complete Coach Works with ISE ThunderVolt hybrid drive systems.

Transmission Leak

Some 1999 Cirrus, Stratus, Breeze, Avenger, Sebring and minivan models have been experiencing transmission leaks under the vehicle. Although it may appear to be coming from the pan or input speed sensor, it is more likely coming from a porous section in the case near the cooler line bosses. Affected transmissions feature a web of metal that connects the cooling line bosses and input speed sensor boss. The web forms a pocket, which is most likely responsible for the leak. To diagnose the problem, run the engine until the transmission fluid reaches operating temperature, have someone help raise the vehicle onto a lift and clean the pan and the area around the input speed sensor, paying special attention to the boss between the cooler lines just above the sensor. Next, apply the brakes, shift into reverse and bring engine speed to around 1100 rpm. After three minutes, inspect the cooler line boss area just above the speed sensor. If there is a leak from the pocket formed by the metal web, Chrysler recommends peening the area over with a tapered punch chucked into an air hammer.

Proper Lubricant Storage and Handling

Proper storage and handling procedures prevent lubricant contamination.

The importance of keeping stored lubricants clean and contaminant-free cannot be over-stated. According to Andrew Ling, director of engineering for Dingo, procedures should be in place to ensure oil is kept clean, cool and dry. "This isn't difficult, however, many companies lose thousands of dollars as a result of careless oil handling procedures," he says.

Lubricants that are not properly handled can become contaminated with dirt, water and other fluids, reducing the service lives of the lubricant and the equipment and possibly causing equipment failure.

"You would never think a little dust could bring a massive diesel engine to a halt, but it can because today's equipment is built to exceedingly close tolerances," says ChevronTexaco commercial automotive specialist Kurt Schulte.

Proper oil storage is the first step to preventing contamination. Oil should be stored in closed containers that keep airborne particulates and moisture out. According to Jim Morrison, field technician with Petro-Canada America Lubricants, Inc., it can be a costly mistake to store oil in open containers or allow drums to be partially open to air. "Air is extremely dirty, therefore you must never allow oil to get exposed to it," he says.

Ling recommends the use of breather filters on storage containers. "Breather filters help minimize the particulate contamination that can get dragged on with the air as oil gets dispensed from the storage container," says Ling. Be sure to regularly check the filter to make sure it isn't plugged.

Oil stored in drums should be kept indoors. "It's imperative that you keep debris and moisture out of the oil, however, it's common for drums to be covered only with things like a piece of cardboard or a plastic bucket," says Schulte. "Although drums are sealed, they can accumulate water on the top of the drum, which can enter the drum upon temperature changes. It's best to have a drum cover, but if one is not available, you should tip the drum so the water will move away from the bungs."

According to Dan Arcy, technical marketing manager at Shell, it is best to avoid storing drums of oil in a vertical position for extended periods of time. "If you store drums vertically, too much heat or excessive cooling on the outside of the drum actually can suck water that may have accumulated down through the bung-holes," says Arcy. "That, of course, is a surefire ticket for contamination."

The proper way to store drums of lubricant and prevent the ingress of water is horizontally with the bungs facing the three o'clock and nine o'clock positions.

When oil is stored in in-ground tanks, the pump should be situated at least six inches from the bottom of the tank. "This will help ensure that your draw is never taken from the exact bottom of the tank," says Arcy. "Even if contaminants happen to be present, they won't get sucked up when dispensing the oil."

All oil-dispensing equipment, including tanks, drums, pails, hoses and reels, should be clearly labeled to avoid cross-contamination of products. "The label should list the brand of oil along with its viscosity," says Morrison. "This minimizes the chances of accidentally mixing lubricants."

Clean facilities are essential to preventing contamination. "The cleaner you keep your facility, the less possibility there is for contaminants to enter the oil and equipment," says Schulte.

When storing lubricants in small containers separate from the bulk storage room, be sure the containers are clean, dry and equipped with sealing lids. Avoid stacking pallets of five gallon buckets or cases of quarts so high that it compromises the integrity of the containers.

Accessories such as funnels and sampling guns are best stored in sealed bags to ensure they don't collect dirt and dust while they sit on a shelf. A separate set of funnels and containers should be used for each type of oil, and they should be labeled accordingly. Avoid the practice of wiping funnels and dispensing equipment with shop rags.

"When possible, dispense oil to the equipment through quick-connect couplings to avoid exposing the lubricant to the atmosphere," says Ling.

Because prolonged exposure to oil can cause health problems, protective gear such as gloves and safety goggles should be worn when handling lubricants.

When performing oil changes, it is important to follow procedures that ensure the oil doesn't become contaminated. "You defeat the purpose of the oil change if you use oil that has been contaminated," says Morrison.

Make sure to drain as many contaminants as possible when draining the old oil. The longer the oil is allowed to drain, the better. Wipe the drain plug and its surroundings thoroughly, and be sure the fill holes are clean before pouring in the new oil. Use a funnel to minimize spilling and clean any spills immediately.

After changing the oil, check the dipstick to be sure the oil level is where it should be. "This is important because sometimes meters can be off by a gallon or two," says Arcy. "Even though you dial 10 gallons, it could shut off at nine."

Contamination is also a risk when topping off. Be sure the container used to top off is clean and has not been used for another purpose. "Even if you're only using a small amount of oil, you still can cause significant damage," says Arcy.

"Anything from putting the wrong product in the truck or contaminating the product can shorten the engine's life or lead to premature failures," explains Arcy. "And that, of course, will increase your customer's downtime and perhaps lead to the loss of key business."

Diesel Engine Transition Expected to Run Smooth in 2007

According to Tim Tindall, director of emission projects at Detroit Diesel Corp. (DDC), heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers are far better prepared for 2007 federal emission regulations than they were for the regulations that went into effect in 2002. Tindall predicts the transition will go smoothly due to manufacturers having adequate time to properly design and test their engines.

In 2002, after settling a compliance case with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), most manufacturers were forced to rush their engines to market 15 months sooner than they planned, even though they were not yet fully ready. Detroit Diesel provided free upgrades to owners of its early 2002 engine models so they would match the performance of the improved later models.

According to Tindall, testing of 2007 engines is well under way. Fifty trucks equipped with prototypes of DDC's 2007 engine will be tested in fleets during the second half of this year, and the goal is to allow customers to test the new engines for up to 18 months.

DDC is preparing to introduce a Series 60 model engine, modified with a particulate filter and a heavier version of its exhaust gas recirculation system, as its primary engine to meet 2007 emission regulations.

According to Tindall, early 2002 DDC engines showed three to five percent losses in fuel efficiency over older engines, while current versions of the engines have recovered about 1.5 percent. While lower fuel efficiency was a problem with 2002 diesel engines, fuel efficiency losses are expected to be minimal with the new 2007 engines.

AMSOIL Synthetic Diesel Oils offer unsurpassed protection and performance in both new and older diesel engines. Their superior synthetic formulations also keep friction to a minimum, effectively improving fuel efficiency.

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Diesels Dominate Commercial Truck Market

According to R.L. Polk Inc., diesel vehicles greatly outnumber gasoline-powered vehicles in the medium and heavy-duty commercial truck market. Only 15.6% of new commercial truck registrations in 2004 were gasoline powered. International Truck and Engine Corp. holds the greatest share of the diesel engine market in Classes 3-6, while Caterpillar Inc. holds the greatest share in Classes 7 and 8. The gasoline engine market leader is General Motors in Classes 3, 6, 7 and 8, while Ford is the leader in Classes 4 and 5.

Coolant Leak

Some 2001-02 Cadillac Eldorados, DeVilles and Sevilles, as well as Oldsmobile Auroras, equipped with 4.0 and 4.6L V8 engines (VINs C, Y and 9) are prone to small, difficult to find coolant leaks. According to General Motors, it is likely caused by a small leak at the water pump cover. Because the coolant often evaporates before accumulating into a visible leak under the vehicle, a trace dye and fluorescent inspection lamp are needed to pinpoint the source of the leak. Allow the dye enough time to circulate through the system before shutting the engine off and looking at the pump cover. The leak can usually be found near the hose and can be repaired with a revised pump cover and gasket available from GM.

Industry Moves Toward Extended Service Parts

AMSOIL Synthetic Greases provide optimum protection and performance in extended life equipment.

While the motor oil industry is increasingly moving toward extended drain intervals, grease change intervals are also becoming longer, keeping trucks on the road for longer periods before maintenance. According to Transport Topics, special sensors that monitor lubricant performance in sealed components could be introduced in the future.

"The longer fleets can keep trucks on the road and not have to bring them in for maintenance intervals, the more money they are going to make," says ChevronTexaco senior engineer William Wallace. "So that is what these fleets are going for and that is what the manufacturers of the trucks are trying to satisfy.

"It's the whole truck, the engine, the transmission fluids, the axle fluids. They would like to have all of their components kind of match each other, and bring the truck in one time and have everything last between those service intervals," says Wallace.

As higher quality, more durable lubricants have been introduced to the market, truck manufacturers have increased efforts to build components that are free of outside contaminants, allowing extended drain lubricants to provide maximum protection for the entire interval.

"The lubricant, seal technology, component design, the tolerance control, surface finish and even the cleanliness [of the manufacturing facility] are all linked together," says Steve Slesinski, Dana Corp. director of product planning for commercial vehicle systems.

According to Slesinski, one trend the industry is steering toward is unitized hubs that effectively keep water and contaminants out, extending equipment and lubricant life. "These systems are generally designed to last over 1 million miles without changing seals or lubricants," says Slesinski.

As extended life equipment becomes more and more common, onboard sensors capable of detecting vibration and temperature changes will be incorporated with the equipment. "You need to have a sophisticated system to tell a service technician that a problem is about to happen before you have a serious problem," says Slesinski.

"The other challenge you have is that whatever sensors you are using have to be more robust than the parts that they are monitoring," explains Slesinski.

Howard Adkins, manager of technical services at Hendrickson International Trailer Suspension Systems, emphasizes the importance of properly maintaining longer-life hubs. "With the wheel-end package, we tell people that once a year, or when you are doing a brake service, you should rotate the hub," he says. "If there is a smooth and quiet rotation of the hub then you are okay. If you experience a growling noise or any other noise, then you should be concerned and repair may be necessary."

Warranties for unitized hubs typically run significantly longer than standard wheel ends. "After the extended warranty period is over, routine preventive maintenance inspections should be continued, and maybe with an emphasis on semiannual or annual inspections [rotating] the hub," says Adkins.

Mack Trucks introduced its steer axle with a sealed wheel-end hub in 2001 in response to problems customers were having with traditional oil-bath hubs in the post-warranty period. To encourage customers to switch, the unitized hubs were priced lower than the traditional oil-bath hubs.

"It is one thing to have your product stand up inside your warranty period, but you want it to maintain clear value beyond it," says David McKenna, Mack marketing manager for engines, axles and transmissions.

According to Landon Sproull, assistant chief engineer at Peterbilt Motors Co., fleets that track expenses with detailed maintenance records will be able to justify investing in maintenance-free components that cost more than components that require more maintenance.

"It boils down to a price point, and whether a customer is willing to spend that money," he says.

Choosing a grease involves analyzing the specific application. "You really need to take it application by application," says Wallace. "Every manufacturer's equipment is a little bit different. It depends on size, the horsepower, the environment it is going to operate in."

Formulated with top-of-the-line synthetic oils, lithium complex thickeners and premium additives, AMSOIL synthetic greases offer unsurpassed protection and performance for extended service intervals in all types of applications.

Hybrid Buses Introduced in Canada

Hybrid engine technology is about to be introduced to Canadian bus riders. According to GM Canada and New Flyer Industries, BC Transit of British Columbia will be the first Canadian transit system to use the General Motors advanced diesel-electric system during regular service. BC Transit expects delivery of six 40-foot hybrid diesel-electric buses this spring, with three going to the Victoria Regional Transit System and three going to the Kelowna Regional Transit System.

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Infrared Scans Monitor Operating Temperatures

Engineer Joseph Dominick of Allegheny Energy Supply suggest performing infrared scans on rotating equipment to monitor reservoir operating temperatures. "A routine scan of a large gearbox revealed that it was overheating (it was operating above 190 degrees F) due to failure of the oil cooler pump," recalls Dominick. "The oil was foaming pretty significantly out of the oil sight glass.

Grease Tip

When using vibration monitoring equipment with "spike energy," gSE or other HFD technology, operators can optimize grease quantity in a bearing by running the equipment while adding grease. According to rotating equipment analyst Brian Mann of ConocoPhilips, "When the overall level of the signal drops suddenly and noticeably, grease has reached the bearing. Stop adding more. Using this approach saves those on limited budgets from having to buy additional specialized greasing equipment with monitoring ability."

A Look at Fuel Economy

With no gas price relief in sight, motorists are looking for ways to stretch their fuel dollars.

Unleaded gasoline prices are currently averaging $2.20 a gallon, and more than half of Americans say the high prices are starting to cause them problems. According to a recent Associated Press-AOL poll, 58 percent of motorists have reduced their driving, 57 percent have cut back on other expenses, 41 percent have changed vacation plans and 41 percent are seriously considering purchasing a more fuel-efficient vehicle.

Vehicles used for towing are notorious for receiving poor fuel economy, and as many motorists have noticed, the fuel economy numbers posted on new vehicle window stickers rarely reflect what is received after purchase. According to Greg Dana, vice president of Environmental Affairs for the Alliance of Auto Manufacturers, rather than being derived from road tests, fuel economy numbers are based on testing performed on a dynamometer in a laboratory environment. Because pump gasoline from different suppliers and batches varies considerably, a special 96-octane gasoline called Indolene is used to ensure consistent test results. According to Dana, the high octane rating does not affect fuel economy.

Fuel economy ratings are determined by special computer sensors attached to the tailpipe. By measuring the weight of carbon exiting the tailpipe, the sensors are able to determine how much fuel was consumed during the test period.

During the test drive, the dyno is calibrated to flat conditions and the driver modulates the throttle according to specific driving conditions determined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For the 11-mile city driving test, the vehicle is driven for 31 minutes at an average speed of 21 MPH. Ambient temperatures are between 68 and 86 degrees F, and the test includes 23 stops and a 10-minute "heat soak" period where the vehicle is stopped and the engine is shut off. Six minutes are spent idling, and there are two one-minute segments where the vehicle speeds up to 50 MPH.

The highway driving test is a 13-minute, 10.4 mile trip at an average speed of 48 MPH. Ambient temperatures are the same as the city test and there are no stops. Road conditions imitate gently rolling hills and a combination of rural and interstate roads.

The EPA determined in 1985 that drivers in real world conditions receive about 90 percent of the city fuel economy figure and 78 percent of the highway figure. Thus, the final city value is determined by multiplying by 0.90 and the final highway value is determined by multiplying by 0.78.

"Once the computer delivers the raw EPA MPG numbers they are 'adjusted' by those multipliers to closer emulate real-world driving," says Dana. "Those adjusted numbers are what appear on the window sticker."

Small changes in driving habits, road conditions and weather all have noticeable effects on fuel economy. "A driver may not notice it, but a vehicle's fuel economy drops on cold days because the air is denser and it takes more energy to push the vehicle through the air than on a warm, dry day," explains Dana.

Other factors that affect fuel economy are use of the air conditioner, a heavy load on the vehicle's electrical system, engine condition, tire pressure, size and shape of the vehicle and the load being carried or towed.

Lower axle-gear ratios improve pulling performance by providing increased low speed torque and improving acceleration. Though it is a common belief that lower axle gear ratios have a negative effect on fuel economy, the effect is minimal at worst.

According to Roger Clark, senior manager for General Motors' Energy Integration and Fuel Economy Learning Vehicles Program (ELVP), fuel economy doesn't change much with an optional gear ratio. "The typical combined fuel-economy impact, based on EPA lab test conditions, is about 0.4 MPG to 0.6 MPG between the base gear ratio (e.g. 3.42:1) and the lowest (e.g. 4.10:1) offered," says Clark. "That change is linear. Equipping a truck or SUV with a 3.73 gear ratio, for instance, would affect combined fuel economy by less than ¼-mile-per-gallon.

According to Clark, these fuel economy changes may not even be detectable during city driving. Lower axle ratios have more of an effect during long distance freeway driving. "Most of the axle-ratio changes are going to have a cumulative effect in fuel economy over time, but it's going to be very hard to notice any difference in fuel economy where the vehicle is being driven in a mix of city and highway conditions," says Clark.

"The reason we (truck manufacturers) offer the 3.42:1 and 3.55:1 ratios is those ratios offer the best fuel economy with a four-speed automatic transmission," says Clark. "If you want a truck that responds best to hauling a heavy load or towing a trailer, them 3.73:1, 3.92:1 or 4.10:1 ratios will provide the best wheel torque at the lower engine speeds."

EPA research conducted during the highway fuel economy test indicates that 54 percent of pickup of SUV engine power is used to overcome aerodynamic drag. "The best fuel economy for the typical truck or SUV is cruising right around 40 MPH," says Clark. "The EPA test cycle for the highway fuel economy number averages 48 MPH with a top speed of 60 MPG."

In a pickup rated at 21 MPG on the highway, a 10 percent increase in speed over 48 MPH (53 MPH) will decrease fuel economy by about 1.5 MPG. An average speed of 60 MPH causes fuel economy to drop another 1.5 MPG. Increasing speed to 70 MPH brings fuel economy to less than 14 MPG, a 33 percent drop from the previous 21 MPG.

Aerodynamic and fuel economy research performed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Michigan Technological University indicates that the added weight and wind drag associated with towing a trailer forces an engine to work harder and consume more fuel.

"If you increase driving speed for 50 MPH to 70 MPH, you double the drag force and increase the engine power required to overcome drag by almost three times," says Scott L. Post, Assistant Professor of fluid mechanics at Michigan Tech University.

"Of course, not all of the tow vehicle's engine power goes to overcome wind resistance," says Post. "A rough estimate is that for cruising on the highway with no hills, about half of the engine power goes to overcoming drag and the remainder goes to overcoming rolling resistance.

"When you add a trailer, you add more wind resistance and more weight, which increases the rolling resistance. But the overall ratio of drag/rolling resistance may not change much. So if you are doubling the drag and ground friction when hauling a trailer, you should expect the mileage to be cut nearly in half as a result.

"The total drag for the truck-and-trailer combination, however, will not equal the sum of these tow components because the wake from the pick-up will reduce the drag on the front of the trailer," explains Post.

The coefficient of drag (CD) for pickups is between 0.4 and 0.5 CD, while a trailer is around 0.9 CD. Post estimates total drag for the pickup/trailer combination to be 1.0 CD, but warns that driving in a strong crosswind cancels out much of the reduced drag resulting from the wake of the pickup.

"The exact amount of drag reduction is hard to estimate because it will depend on several factors," says Post. "For instance, the higher the trailer, the greater the drag, and the longer the gap between the tow vehicle and the trailer, the less the wake effect and more drag."

Post's studies conclude that every 10 percent increase in drag results in 1 MPG decrease in fuel economy.

The use of AMSOIL synthetic motor oils is a proven way to improve fuel economy. Independent tests show the use of synthetic lubricants can increase fuel efficiency by two to five percent, while many AMSOIL customers report even larger gains.