We just added several exciting new car care products to help
you keep your car, truck or SUV looking and smelling it’s
very best.

Do you have a hard time cleaning those hard-to-reach areas
on the inside of your front and back windshield? If so,
you’ve got to check out this fantastic new glass cleaning
tool we found called the Reach & Clean.

http://www.5starshine.com/info-reach-clean-auto-window-cleaning-tool.html

Speaking of windows, you’ve got to take a look at our newest
glass cleaning product called Invisible Glass. Cleans glass
so well, you’ll think it’s invisible! We love it and recommend
it highly.

http://www.5starshine.com/info-invisible-glass-cleaning-products.html

As always, you can view our entire catalog of helpful car
care products and accessories by visiting the link below.

http://www.5starshine.com/catalog.html

Get rid of those ugly oil stains from your concrete
driveway and garage floor now.

We have an incredible product that will eliminate
oil stains on concrete no matter how old they are.
Guaranteed. It also works on transmission and power
steering fluids too.

Before we added this product to our catalog, we
went driving around looking at driveways and we
were stunned as to the number of driveways that
were stained with motor oil and other fluids.

If you have ugly oil stains on your garage floor or
driveway, you really need to check this out. Well
worth the small price to improve the looks and
value of your property.

http://www.5starshine.com/info-pour-n-restore.html

Have a Great Day!
The 5 Star Shine Team

From 5 Star Shine:

With winter in the distance, now’s the time to tackle the
simple maintenance and detailing tasks that can keep your
vehicle in tip-top condition.

Timely maintenance does more than keep your vehicle
running smoothly. It can help increase your car’s trade-in
value, improve it’s gas mileage and save you time from
costly repairs down the road.

- Belts. With your engine off, check your car’s belts for
cracks, missing pieces and worn edges. Also, make sure
your belts are tightened properly. If they are too tight, they
will stretch and break. If they are too loose, they won’t
work efficiently. We recommend having your belts checked
every 6 months.

- Hoses. When your car is cold, feel your car’s hoses for
bulges, soft spots, cracks or brittleness. With the engine
running, look for (but do not touch) bulges or leaks. If you
see any, have the hose(s) replaced. Note: If you work on
your own car, avoid replacing air conditioning hoses
yourself unless you’re experienced. Pressurized gases
can result in serious injury.

- Coolant. Check the level of coolant in your coolant over-
flow tank. Maintaining a 50/50 mix of antifreeze will keep
your engine cool in hot weather and prevent damage when
temperatures fall well below zero.

- Oil. Depending on your driving conditions, change your
oil and filter as recommended in your Owner’s Manual. Also,
be sure and use the manufacturer’s recommended oil grade.

- Power Steering Fluid. To check, pull out the power
steering dipstick, wipe it clean and insert it again. Pull it
out again and check the level. If it is below the HOT level,
add the recommended steering fluid up to the upper level
mark.

- Brake Fluid. Check the fluid level on the outside of the tank
using the lines on the reservoir as your guide. If the level is
below MIN, add brake fluid from a sealed container to bring
it up to MAX. You’ll notice a significant drop in fluid levels
when there’s a leak. Note: Brake fluid absorbs moisture from
the air. Any absorbed moisture can cause a dangerous loss
of braking performance. If you have to keep refilling your
brake fluid tank regularly, odds are you have a leak. Contact
your repair shop immediately.

- Air Filter. Again, depending on your driving conditions,
routinely check your air filter for accumulated dust and
debris. Dirty air filters can result in loss of power and poor
fuel mileage.

- Battery. Check your battery terminals regularly. Remove
any corrosion with an old toothbrush and a mixture of baking
soda and water.

- Tires. Check your tire pressure (with tires cold) at least
once a month. Keep tires inflated to your manufacturer’s
recommended pressure. Under-inflated tires can also affect
your vehicle’s gas mileage.

- Wiper Blades. Finally, cracked, split or worn wiper blades
can cause skipping or poor contact with your windshield
causing poor visibility. Tip: Our 303 Wiper Treatment can
save you on the cost of replacing your old wiper blades.

We hope these tips will help you prepare your vehicle for
the upcoming winter months ahead.

Want to maintain your vehicle’s showroom look and shine
with as little time and effort as possible? If so, you really
need to check out some of the awesome car care products in
the 5 Star Shine Catalog.

5 Star Shine products are fun, easy-to-use and will have your
vehicle looking better than the day you bought it.

You can check out the 5 Star Shine Catalog by visiting the
link below.

http://www.5starshine.com/

Have a Great Day!
The 5 Star Shine Team

By Rick Newman

From U.S. News & World Report

At General Motors, they used to call their surging competitor “Mr. T,” as if intimidated by a muscular rival who seemed able to seize market share at will. But Toyota suddenly looks pretty meek, thanks to a mystifying safety problem that has led to a huge recall, an unprecedented production shutdown, and an ugly dent in a once sterling reputation.

This corporate nightmare has mushroomed since last fall, when Toyota recalled about 4 million vehicles because of floor mats with a propensity to slip down into the driver’s side foot well, potentially interfering with the pedals and causing sudden acceleration. Now Toyota has recalled an additional 2.3 million vehicles for a problem that sounds similar, but the company says it’s different: faulty gas pedals that can stick if they become worn, causing—once again—sudden acceleration.

[See 15 cars fueling the auto recovery.]

Recalls aren’t unusual. Here’s what normally happens: The owner gets notified of the recall and brings the car to a dealer, where the problem is fixed in a day or two with no charge to the customer. But this recall is more confusing and far more draconian than usual. For one thing, Toyota announced the recall before there was a fix in place, so dealers didn’t even know what to do if you brought them the car. Toyota implies that most of the recalled vehicles can still be driven safely, but it also offers these instructions for people who feel their car might have a sticky gas pedal: “The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine shut off, and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.” Beyond that, Toyota has also issued some Dukes of Hazzard style maneuvers drivers should use if they’re cruising along and the pedal does, in fact, stick, such as shifting into neutral or turning off the ignition (but don’t take the key out!). Do they teach that in driver’s ed?

If you’re a concerned parent with a suspect Toyota, you could easily imagine that the gas pedal seems a little stickier than usual. And do what? Risk your kids’ lives by driving them around in a death trap? Pull off on the side of the highway and call a taxi? Garage the car and rent something safe—at $300 per week—until Toyota figures out what’s going on? Stressing out your customers like that isn’t exactly the way to win repeat business.

The sales and production stoppage suggests an even bigger problem, with lots of legal liability. Toyota has stopped selling or building eight models, including the Camry, Corolla, and RAV 4, which represent more than 50 percent of its sales. That will cost Toyota millions, maybe billions, of dollars. It already ranks near the top in the annals of corporate meltdowns, and it’s not necessarily over. GM, meanwhile, is poaching Toyota customers with special financing and other incentives, along with cars that go the speed you want them to.

[See 10 products that boomed during the recession.]

How did this happen? Toyota itself may not even know yet, and it could take months or years for the full story to develop. But Toyota’s dramatic comedown isn’t as sudden as it might seem. Some industry-watchers feel the saga has been building for years and may even have been inevitable.

In his 2009 book, How the Mighty Fall, business guru Jim Collins outlined five stages of decline that many big companies go through. Mostly he wrote about companies that lose their edge gradually, even imperceptibly, until thousands of tiny termite holes bring down the house. Toyota might qualify as an accelerated version of such a collapse.

Toyota has grown steadily into the world’s biggest automaker, earning customer loyalty for the reliability and longevity of its vehicles. But problems have been slowly building. The T100 pickup sold in the 1990s failed to hit Toyota’s usual mark for quality, with some critics complaining that it was an underpowered make-do truck that paled next to American counterparts. Beginning around 1999, thousands of Toyota owners complained about mysterious “sludge” buildup that wrecked their engines, prompting criticism that Toyota was growing too fast and skimping on quality; Toyota resisted the claims but settled a class action lawsuit brought by owners in 2007. Toyota owners have also complained about faulty head lamps on the Prius hybrid, and more than 100,000 Tundra pickups were recalled in 2009 for problems with rusting frames. On the business side, Toyota badly miscalculated when it built a new pickup plant in Texas, with sales far below projections.

Read More…

by Ed Newman
AMSOIL Marketing & Advertising Manager
This article appeared in National Oil & Lube News, December 2004

Last month our family went to dinner at a somewhat fancy restaurant. We knew it would be pricier than McDonalds, but the menu still held a surprise for us. It presented the appetizers, dinners and desserts in such a way that we weren’t sure what the prices were. Sure, there were little tiny numbers by all the menu items, but these numerals had no dollar signs next to them and no decimals or cents. Next to every menu item was a 9 or 5 or 12, etc. After a little confusion we figured it out, of course, but for a while we didn’t know what to order because we didn’t know what things cost.

Most of us grow up knowing that everything has a price. Nothing is free and that’s a lesson we learn at a pretty early age.

When I was ten I would get a weekly allowance of a quarter. I knew exactly what a quarter would buy. It would be five Snickers bars, or a Mad magazine. If I saved two weeks’ allowance I could buy a Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine at Lawson’s milk store. And if I saved four quarters, I could buy a model airplane or boat at Southgate, the shopping center near my home in Maple Heights, Ohio.

As adults we may not know exact prices, but we know roughly what houses in certain neighborhoods cost and what cars, clothes and movies cost. We know a month long vacation to Australia is going to be pricier than a weekend camping trip.

In point of fact, everything has a price. Unfortunately, whereas some products — like a gallon of milk or a bundle of twine — have a simple, straightforward cost, other things have hidden costs that are concealed from immediate view.

SLUDGE
What a great word. Sludge. It sounds like what it is, like the words “ish” and “muck”. Anyone who has worked on a car knows what sludge is, that yucky goo that builds up inside an engine due to motor oil oxidation and degradation.

The funny thing is, no one ever sets out to buy sludge. So how do we put a price on it?
We all know the damage it can do. This gooey oil can block sensors and cause cars to run badly. Excessive sludge accumulation can even cause an engine to seize.

The reality is, however, that this sludge problem is the hidden price of choosing petroleum motor oils. That is why people in the know say conventional oils have to be changed all the time. Their molecular structure is irregular. In the presence of high temperatures the oil’s lighter ingredients boil off, making the oil thicker. In addition, many of the complex chemicals naturally found in petroleum basestocks begin to react with each other, forming sludge, gums and varnishes. Cold temperatures can also be a culprit, resulting in a gelled mess that pumps poorly, if at all.

Synthetic motor oils, because of their higher flash points and their ability to withstand oxidation and evaporation loss, are far more resistant to sludge development. And in cold temps synthetics remain fluid far beyond anything petroleum oils can achieve, even with their special additives. As a result, in all circumstances engines run cleaner with synthetics, offering better fuel economy, wear protection and superior performance.

THE VW/AUDI LETTER
Today’s automakers are well aware of the problems associated with conventional petroleum motor oils knowing that engine designs have been a contributing factor in the sludge problem. One reason is that engine compartments are smaller and hotter than in the old days. They put more demands on motor oil. Another reason, though, is that with all those brain boxes and sensors, engines simply need to be kept cleaner or they don’t run right.

This summer VW/Audi of America sent a letter to vehicle owners informing owners of 1998-2004 VW Passats and 1997-2004 Audi A4s that they will receive extended warranty coverage on the 1.8L turbocharged engines. In the letter, VW/Audi recommended synthetic 5W-40 engine oils that meet the VW 502.00 spec because the use of petroleum oils increases the risk of sludge formation.

To their credit VW/Audi does not require that the oil be changed at the dealership. Vehicle owners simply need to keep records of their oil and filter maintenance.

The reason VW/Audi took this stance is easy to surmise. Execs at VW/Audi did not want to get embroiled in the oil related storms that cost Mercedes 32 million dollars or Toyota’s bad press due to sludge problems.

TROUBLES AT TOYOTA
In recent years Toyota has also had to deal with serious sludge issues. A 2002 article in Automotive News detailed the high volume of sludge related complaints received by Toyota.

The trouble centered around Toyota’s 3.0-liter Sienna V-6 engine. With over 3.3 million such engines the problem could not easily be hidden in a glove compartment. I had become aware of the problem even before it appeared in print.

Accusations flew that the engine was flawed (Toyota, owners spar over sludge, Automotive News, Feb 8, 2002) but Toyota would never acknowledge this. (Toyota to Cover Oil Gelation Damage, by Tim Sullivan, Lube Report, Feb 27, 2002)

The Automotive News article cites numerous sources to make its case. Larry Perry, an A.S.E.-Certified Master Technician who owns a repair shop and hosts a radio talk show in Florida was quoted as saying, “We believe Toyota reduced the size of the cooling passages to the cylinder heads in those engines in order to increase combustion temperatures for more of a complete burn to reduce exhaust emissions.” Perry, who has seen more than his share of sludge problems went on to say, “the solution is to use only 100% synthetic motor oil.”

In the end, Toyota Motor Sales USA made a one time offer to cover the repairs to vehicles damaged by sludge. For Toyota, this was the tangible price they paid for sludge.

A REASONABLE RECOMMENDATION
We live in a complicated world. Nothing is really all that black and white. On the one hand, it would appear that the sludge problem would lead to the conclusion that we need to press for more frequent oil changes. On the other hand, we are all too well aware of the strong desire for convenience, often resulting in negligence with regard to routine oil change maintenance.

Because of this latter trend, which shows no sign of abating, I strongly recommend that you train your technicians to teach your customers the benefits of synthetic motor oils. Motorists who use conventional petroleum lubes are putting their vehicles at risk if they do not change the oil regularly. Sludge is a waste of time and money that is no longer necessary. With the advent of synlube technologies, engines can remain cleaner and last longer than ever before.

When it matters, when you want the best for your customers’ vehicles, synthetic motor oils are the only reasonable recommendation.

Ed Newman is the Marketing & Advertising Manager for AMSOIL INC.

Cuts Fan-On Time by Over 50 Percent, Reducing Fuel Consumption

SUFFIELD, Conn. – September 9, 2009 – Evans Cooling Systems (www.evanscooling.com), developer of the only waterless engine coolant, will showcase the benefits of its revolutionary waterless cooling technology for waste management vehicles at WASTECON 2009, Booth #1843, on September 22 -24, 2009 in Long Beach, Calif.

Earlier this year, Evans introduced its Heavy Duty Thermal Coolant (HDTC), and initial tests results show fuel savings and lower maintenance costs among a broad range of engine types and applications, including waste management vehicles.

A year-long test for USA Hauling showed fuel savings of 7.2 percent after using Evans’ HDTC, resulting from a greater than 50 percent reduction in fan-on time. Fan-on time totaled just over 300 hours, compared to the estimated fan-on time of more 700 hours required without Evans coolant.

Evans HDTC has a higher boiling point — 150 degrees warmer than the operating temperature of most engines — allowing the engine to safely operate at slightly higher temperatures. The huge separation of the boiling point from the operating temperature enables raising the fan-on temperature to 230°. Raising the fan-on temperature is critical, since the fan on a heavy duty diesel engine draws a considerable amount of horsepower, using significant amounts of fuel.

“Evans has learned that fan-on time on waste management vehicles can contribute significantly to fuel consumption, and with our waterless cooling systems we are able to deliver measureable fuel cost savings,” said Mike Tourville, Director of Marketing, Evans Cooling Systems. “Another major benefit of Evans waterless coolant for the waste management industry is lower maintenance costs, as our technology eliminates the corrosion and cavitation caused by water-based coolants — and our coolant never needs to be replaced.”

Independent testing has also proven that Evans’ cooling technology results in maintenance savings, all while providing a more environmentally friendly solution. In a recently completed John Deere Cavitation test, researchers found cylinder liner cavitation was significantly reduced when Evans HDTC was used for cooling. The absence of water and the resulting lower cooling system pressure maintains a virtual hermetically sealed system and reduces stress on cooling system plumbing and hoses. By preventing corrosion and pump and cylinder liner cavitation, Evans HDTC can deliver major maintenance savings.

Evans waterless engine cooling technology is in use in numerous fleets and by individual truck owners who have gone hundreds of thousands of miles without changing coolant.

AMSOIL has reached an agreement with AMA Pro Road Racing that will see one of the world’s leading synthetic oil brands expand their presence in the motorsports community as the Official Oil of AMA Pro Road Racing and the presenting partner of the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike class.

Based in Wisconsin, AMSOIL introduced the world’s first API-qualified synthetic motor oil in 1972. It has since developed an expansive line of high-quality synthetic lubricants, fuel additives and filtration products that continue to push the boundaries of lubrication science and redefine the performance possibilities of modern machinery and engines. AMSOIL offers products that deliver the same level of performance and protection to racers on the track and fans in the stands.

“It has been 36 years since AMSOIL brought the benefits of synthetic lubricants from jet engines to internal combustion engines, and we look forward to continuing this history of impressive performance in AMA Pro Daytona SportBike presented by AMSOIL,” said Jeremy Meyer, Race Program Manager for AMSOIL, INC. “The new AMA Pro Daytona SportBike class should offer some of the most competitive motorcycle road racing ever seen in the United States and we are honored to be one of the high performance components in the new AMA Pro Road Racing.”

Continue Reading at: Motorcycle-usa.com

SUPERIOR, Wis.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–For the first time since AMSOIL INC.(R) introduced the concept of “extended drain” oil 33 years ago, another major brand of oil has entered the extended drain arena, a further push toward changing the length of oil drain intervals forever. Last week ExxonMobil introduced its new 15,000 mile oil. AMSOIL INC. of Superior, Wisconsin, globally recognized as the first fully synthetic oil to meet American Petroleum Institute service requirements, has been designing and manufacturing the extended oil change motor oil since 1972. From that time to the present AMSOIL has touted a 25,000 mile or one year oil change interval.

According to AMSOIL Vice President Alan Amatuzio, the introduction of ExxonMobil extended drain oil is long overdue. “We’re pleased that another company has finally stepped up to the plate,” said Amatuzio. “ExxonMobil’s move, which supports AMSOIL INC’s extended drain intervals, will be seen as a significant moment in lubricant history and valuable for consumers who are going to benefit from this overall shift in the market.”

By the late 1990’s most large oil companies offered a synthetic motor oil in their product line, but none of these companies other than AMSOIL pushed drain intervals beyond the 3,000 mile change recommendation. Average oil change intervals in Europe are 10,000 miles with many vehicles recommending 15,000 mile and longer change intervals. The shorter U.S. drain interval results in millions of gallons of unneeded oil production and more than a billion dollars a year in consumer spending.

The environmental benefits of extended drain intervals include reduced packaging waste, use of natural resources and greatly reduced need for disposal of used oil. In addition, independent tests have demonstrated improved fuel economy when synthetic lubricants are used in the engine and throughout the drivetrain.

AMSOIL has been the recognized leader in synthetic lubrication since 1972. For more information about AMSOIL synthetic lubricants and performance products contact your nearest AMSOIL distributor, visit www.amsoil.com or call AMSOIL at (715) 392-7101 or 1-800-777-8491. AMSOIL INC., AMSOIL Building, Superior, WI 54880.

HOUSTON, Sept 01, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ —-People who missed or did not qualify for the government-funded “Cash for Clunkers” program may instead be thinking about how to get more years of service out of the vehicle they now own. In fact, the average age of cars and light trucks on United States. roads today has reached a record high of 9.4 years, making it more important than ever for consumers to take proper care of their vehicles.

As motor oil is the lifeblood of a vehicle’s engine, industry-leading brands — Pennzoil, Quaker State and Shell Rotella have introduced a new consumer education program, including a Web site www.MotorOilMatters.org, as part of an initiative to educate consumers about the importance of quality motor oil and the role it can play in helping prolong an engine’s life and improve its overall efficiency.

Automotive expert Alan Taylor, the host of Car and Driver Radio and lifelong auto enthusiast, has been tapped to help drivers understand that motor oil really does matter.

“For many Americans, their vehicle is their second largest investment, so getting the most out of their car in the current economic climate has become more important than ever,” Taylor said. “Drivers need to understand why the quality of motor oil matters to their car and to their pocketbook. Educating consumers so that they understand the value quality motor oils provide is our goal.”

Applauded by industry organizations, the initiative urges consumers to be aware of the oil that goes into their engines. Off-brand, no-name or discount oils that do not meet industry standards or the vehicle manufacturer’s requirements could cost consumers in the long run by potentially damaging the vehicle’s engine or possibly voiding the manufacturer’s warranty.

Continue at Fox Business