Decide Whether or not to Use Older CI-4 Rated Diesel Oil Instead of the Newer CJ-4?

By Michael Kaufman

It is common to hear individuals talking about the relative positives & negatives of the CJ-4 vs. the older CI-4 diesel motor oils. So, it seems worthwhile to layout the relative similarities and differences between using diesel engine oils that meet each of these respective API classifications.

Quite a few folks are wanting to purchase our 15w40 viscosity AMSOIL synthetic diesel engine oil. Generally, this is either because they fear moving to a "lower" viscosity 5w30, 10w30, 5w40 or 10w40 oil or because they've heard horror stories regarding the new CJ-4 rated oils.

CJ-4 Rated Oils Suffer from Key Additive Reductions

We want our customers to know that, our AME 15w40 oil has not been blended to meet API CJ-4 specs because in order to meet CJ-4 classification requirements motor oil producers were required to make significant reductions in the levels of key additives in fighting acid - and thus corrosion within the engine (TBN was lowered).

Are Oil Drain Intervals Shortened?

Because the TBN of CJ-4 oils has dropped, many diesel owners are making the assumption that the extended drain capabilities of API CJ-4 oils should be much less as compared to the older CI-4 oils with better acid fighting ability in order to make the oils more compatible with Exhaust Gas Recirculation systems found on those vehicles sold as a 2007 model or beyond.

Exhaust Gas Recirculation units installed on 2007 model and newer diesels are leaving very HEAVY soot load on the lubricant in the crankcase. This has necessitated an increase in detergents and dispersants in the new CJ-4 oils - keeping things clean is always a good thing.

Moreover, lesser quality CI-4 oils (those using petroleum or lower quality synthetic basestocks) have been forced to make improvements to their base stock quality in order to successfully meet CJ-4 specs. As a result, the API CJ-4 oils are, in respects to their basestock, a more advanced motor oil. However, if you are making comparisons between premium SYNTHETIC CJ-4 rated oils, the basestocks are likely pretty similar to their CI-4 precursors since the original basestocks were likely already able to meet CJ-4 classification requirements.

The truth is, in most respects, API CJ-4 rated diesel oils offer better performance than oils meeting only the CI-4 or CI-4+ classification. In actuality, the shorter drain interval possibility is really the only potential drawback to moving from a CI-4 to a CJ-4 oil. But, you may very well not even notice the difference between a CI-4 and a CJ-4 rated oil if you typically don't extend your drain intervals all that far.

It's actually very common for users to change their oil before it's really necessary simply because they don't trust the longer drain intervals to protect their expensive engines. Hence, even though the CI-4 15w40 oil MIGHT offer a longer drain than our CJ-4 5w40, it's likely that most end users will not notice because they never take their oil to the limit anyway.

An additional valid consideration is that oil analysis results of CJ-4 users are painting a differnt picture - one which suggests that CJ-4 oils, even though lower in INITIAL TBN, may actually have the capability to RETAIN their ability to fight acid build-up better than CI-4 rated oils. Time will tell if these initial oil analysis results prove to hold true and CJ-4 rates oils will be able to offer long drain capability such as that found in higher TBN CI-4 rated oils.

In the end, if you don't intend on trying to take your oil to the max drain intervals possible, it's likely that you won't notice the drain interval difference between the two oils. Even better, wear protection and detergency of a CJ-4 oil can only help make the switch to a CJ-4 oil a beneficial one. Hence, for many companies and individuals owning diesel engines, the API CJ-4 rated oil could be the better oil, even if you don't own a 2007 or newer diesel engine. - 21393

About the Author:

If you could use more details in relation to CJ-4 synthetic diesel oil (and CI-4 rated oils) as well as numerous other filter & lube related articles and FAQs see my AMSOIL website at BestSyntheticOil.com.

Buying Repossessed Cars And Save Money

By Davion Wong

Buying repossessed cars is indeed a smart decision to take these days. With the current economic state of the whole world, everybody is looking for ways to save, if not make more money.

Considering the circumstances --- the recession and all that, buying a brand new car would seem rather a bit impractical. If you don't want to break the bank or anything of the sort, you can always choose the better option, that means, to buy cars that have been repossessed.

Repossessed cars are cars that have been seized by the federal government, usually for failure of the car owner to pay his taxes. Financial and banking institutions, too, may repossess cars on the ground of the owner's failure to meet his obligations. Needless to say, repossessed cars are cars that are no longer brand new.

Repossessed cars are second hand cars but that does not make them low class. Actually you will get your money's worth and more when you buy repossessed cars. You see, repossessed cars are practically new --- at least most of them are. They haven't been used much by their owners before they were taken away.

You will see a wide range of repossessed cars, among them luxury cars. Yes, if you have always been dreaming of driving a luxury car, your dream is just about to come true. The reason why the federal government and the banking and financial institutions offer these cars at affordable prices is because they do not want to keep these vehicles in their lot and depreciate in value. They want to dispose them at the earliest time possible, even if that means selling these cars at low prices.

Among the best ways you can find repossessed cars to buy are repossessed car auctions. Check you local papers for the schedule of car auctions in your locality. Usually, organizers of these pre-auction events that give potential customers the chance to give the car a once-over. During this time, you may bring a mechanic with you to check the whole thing through. Of course, you wouldn't have to do this at all if you know how to spot check a car yourself.

Always remember that the offered bid price may not be the same all throughout. You can, in fact, expect the bid price to increase as the auction progresses since there are so many people bidding on the same item. If you don't want to lose all your money and go into a huge debt, see to it that you stick to your budget.

Discover more winning strategies in buying repossessed cars by linking to my site. - 21393

About the Author:

Search for public car auctions today for your cheap bargains. Read this must-read article for all potential buyers about seized car auctions.

Modern Motor Scooter Origins and Technology

By Mike Scott

Motor scooters are essentially the small vehicles with small wheels and a low-powered gasoline engine mounted towards the rear of the vehicle. Towards the end of the 19th century and the advent of the 20th, technology was emerging which made it possible to create motorized scooters. But the early versions were still powered by human strength.

The scooter technology can be attributed to a company in Shanghai where a gentleman by the name of Gino started working on the technology. He did this in response to the long commute hours which he found hinself engaged in. It took him over 5 years to perfect the engineering..

The motivation behind this invention was the long distances which Gino Tsai claims to have traversed every single day. These trips were actually made to the Razor motor factory where he worked as a mechanical engineer.

You can imagine the impact that the new design had especially in a country which was just then entering the Industrial Age with millions workers needing to get to and from work. The scooter sparked such interest that Gino reported being inundated with orders to the extent that he was backed up for months!

There were a few reasons why the motor scooter was popular at its onset. One reason is that it is lightweight. The scooter, especially the Razor, was made out of aluminum which has been known to be very versatile. That is why it is used in the manufacture of airplanes. This meant that the scooter could be operated by anyone regardless of their strength.

The scooter was also attractive and convenient. This was because it was patterned after a bicycle which people were already familiar with. It had small wheels and could be easily cranked up by means of a "clutch" on the side of the scooter. The engine was also smaller as compared to other motorcycles which allowed for easier maintenance.

There are many different types of scooters today. Some are gas powered and others electric powered. These serve different purposes as well because they are very versatile. Because of their motorcycle-like pattern, they are popular even though they have smaller wheels. Their engines are also, lower-powered engines unlike the motorcycle.

One of the most common type of scooter is the version that can be folded. These need not possess an engine and have only two-wheeled models. They are therefore used for traveling short distances. Their mechanism is also easy to decipher with the process of braking being located on the rear fender. Young adults and also children are especially fond of this type mostly because it is sleek, fun, cheap and easy to store.

Then there is the electric scooter which uses a battery-powered engine. This is usually heavier and larger. They are also known to consume more power. Their popularity stems from the fact that they are automated although the folding scooters have been known to travel longer distances. The electric cooker can go distances of between 10 or 15 before the need to recharge the battery. - 21393

About the Author:

Author is writer and regular contributor to Motor Scooters, a website with resources and information to help you find the right Used Scooter.

Where to Take Your Rental Car in Australia

By Amy Nutt

Australia is such a unique and fascinating country that it`s really a good idea to get out of the city and take your car hire Sydney vehicle for a little road trip. Even if you are only in the country for a few days, you can see something. There are plenty of attractions and natural vistas to be enjoyed within a short distance from any major city and if you`re hankering for a longer road trip, then there are plenty of scenic driving tours that beckon the traveler.

Short Trips If you aren`t interested in driving more than half a day or so, these attractions will let you see more of Australia without getting too far from home, or hotel, as the case may be.

Hunter Valley Wineries: Just a couple hours outside of Sydney, this is the perfect spot to enjoy nature and take a wine tasting tour. The views here are astounding.

Gipsland: A well-known skiing destination, Gipsland is nice and close to Melbourne and during the warmer months, you can picnic here or take hikes. When snow covered, these hills are perfect for trying out your snowboarding skills.

The Royal Botanical Gardens: This is found in Melbourne and is the epitome of botanical gardens. Here you`ll find more than 12,000 different types of plants, many of which are native to Australia.

Creswick Regional Park: Check out some real live koala bears and take a hike through the eucalyptus trees, or have a picnic by the lake here. It`s also a good place to try your hand at gold panning and fossicking, if you have a permit.

Buchanan Caves: Enjoy a tour through amazing limestone formations deep inside this cave system. It`s a bit of a drive, 360 km outside of Melbourne, but well worth the trip. Plan for a picnic outside the caves once you finish your tour.

Swan Hill: Just under 4 hours from Melbourne, this trip is a bit of a long one. You`ll be traveling alongside the Murray River and will have the opportunity to take a houseboat out on the river or check out the homesteads along the way.

Longer Trips For those who are looking for something a bit more exciting, there are several long drives available that allow you to get a good look at more of the Australian scenery.

The Great Southern Touring Route: This is a fairly small tour of 807 km that starts and ends in Melbourne. Your car rental Melbourne allows you to travel along the coast, through historical towns and to catch a glimpse of what rural Australia looks like.

The Matilda Highway: A real road trip at 2,725 km, this is a route that will take you through some pretty desolate areas. It`s a great way to see the real Australia and your best chance of meeting some true characters. You begin in Sydney, ending up in Karumba to the north.

Great Ocean Road: The perfect tour for anyone interested in sticking close to the ocean. The road winds along the coast, allowing for little stops in quaint towns and seaside villages. On your way, take a look at Port Fairy and Apollo Bay and don`t forget to sample the local seafood.

One of the main advantages of renting a vehicle in Australia is getting around to these different areas. If you are stuck using public transport, chances are you`ll never get out of the city and will miss some of the amazing scenery that Victoria has to offer. There are simply too many sights to see and you`ll miss the best ones without a car. - 21393

About the Author:

Reserve your next car rental Sydney that specializes in rental car classes include large corporate car rental, economy car rental and truck rental Sydney.

3 Ways to Protect Your Cars Leather

By Luke Lister

The leather seats in your automobile are beautiful, comfortable and help to preserve the value of your vehicle. Car leather protection done properly will keep them looking like new for years to come. To preserve and protect your car leather, there are a few simple tips you will need to consider. Everyday wear and tear will not affect the leather when you take the protection steps.

Today's market is flooded with leather protection products. The one that you choose will depend on your own personal preference. What you will need to consider is being sure to choose one that is a non-drying leather cleaner. The purpose of the cleaner is to remove everyday dirt. A rich conditioner for leather needs to be applied after cleaning to seal in the all important moisture which keeps it luxuriously soft.

Products with natural ingredients listed are usually the best choice because they are safer. For instance, ingredients such as mink oil, UV protectants and lanolin are excellent. Spending a little time protecting your car's leather by keeping it cleaned and conditioned will be far more cost and time effective than leaving it until you need to do a restorative procedure. A combination product might be a good option for you as it combines the steps.

The leather of your car is much like the skin of your body. It needs to be cleaned and moisturized on a regular basis to prevent it from becoming permanently cracked, aged looking and dried out. This will happen much quicker in areas of the country that have very hot temperatures.

The first tip is to regularly clean your leather using a product that does not contain any gloss agents, silicone oils or solvents. It needs to be non-drying. To apply the cleaner use a soft brush to gently massage the leather rather than scrubbing. This is a huge key factor to remember. The leather has pores that need to be opened so that they will be thoroughly cleaned and then be ready to absorb the conditioner that it needs. When it is able to absorb the conditioner fully, it will remain supple and luxurious.

Tip No. 2 to consider: Many products on the market are designed with a balanced pH factor that will not only protect your luxurious interior from water spills but from stains. If the leather begins to smell it is because the natural oils in the leather have become depleted by evaporation.

Tip No. Three is about the damage that can happen if you do not protect your leather seats from the rays of the sun. When your vehicle is a convertible, this is extremely important. The direct sunlight will dry the leather quickly so use a sun protector on your windshield and do not park your car in the sun if possible. Use your conditioner to keep the leather moisturized and alternate treatments with a 303 sun-block protectant product.

Keep these simple tips in mind and spend some time on a regular basis protecting the leather of your vehicle and you will have leather that remains supple and comfortable for the life of your vehicle. Car leather protection does not take long and is well worth the effort. - 21393

About the Author:

Protect any car with leather car seat protection on the sunshine coast.