Mercury Engine Oil | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 38

Mercury Marine’s Latest Offer

mercury-engine-oil

September is a bittersweet month for many boaters; when the cool winds begin to blow, we know it won’t be long before it’s time to take those small vessels out of the water and into storage for winterization. Unless you’re lucky enough to live in an area where there’s open water all year long, these same thoughts are probably running through your head. Mercury Marine, manufacturers of the two-cycle OptiMax engines, has timed its latest promotion with the end of the boating season in mind.

With its “Trade Up America” event, Mercury is offering sizable rebates – ranging from $300 to $1,000 – when boat owners upgrade to a fuel-efficient OptiMax outboard. According to one Mercury representative, the event has been timed to coincide with the start of the winterizing process, when boat owners are starting to think ahead about next year. The offer is valid through Halloween.

It wasn’t long ago that outboard motor manufacturers came under fire from the Environmental Protection Agency, inspiring them to up their fuel-efficiency standards. These days, Mercury engine oil is specially formulated to meet rigorous lubricity and viscosity guidelines. The net effect is that engines like the OptiMax can run with tremendous power and efficiency, all without taking a serious toll on the environment.

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Never Mess with a Biker’s Oil

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My father’s motorcycle club is called the Black Bandits. A group of burly old men in their fifties, they wear – or should I say squeeze into – leather pants, jean jackets and colorful bandanas. They ride around our small town every Sunday, revving their engines, racing through the streets and howling like coyotes. All of this is actually embarrassing to admit, but it’s also something I need to vent about.

During the workweek they tune their bikes at Dale’s Greasy Garage down on Oleander Street. And as they work they are notorious for pulling pranks on each other. One day Curly Sue replaced Dad’s Mercury engine oil with olive oil, and that’s when all the drama unfolded. In retaliation, he filled Sue’s tailpipe with Cheetos and maple syrup. The chaos of it all went back and forth for weeks until one day Dad said, “Let’s make call it truce, only if you agree never to mess with my oil again, it’s just plain wrong!” And the rest is history.

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TC-W3: What Does It Test?

nmma

Today we conclude our two-part series on the TC-W3 oil certification program, which is headed up by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. As discussed previously, the goals of creating a new two-cycle marine oil standard were two-fold: to reduce the number of pollutants released into the environment and to make engines more sustainable by reducing the mixture ratio to fuel.

Any two-stroke oil on the market today that bears the TC-W3 stamp of approval either meets or exceeds rigorous lubrication requirements that are set by the NMMA. The NMMA performs a series of tests such as fluidity, viscosity and lubricity. In addition, the association looks for carbon buildup on the pistons, which can be a sign that the oil isn’t doing its job.

If you’re in the market for a fresh bottle of outboard motor oil, you could do worse than making your ultimate decision based on TC-W3 certification. The leading two-cycle motor oil brands such as Mercury, Evinrude and Yamaha, all feature specific offerings that make the grade. The blend of additives present in Mercury oil is especially highly touted boat enthusiasts across the country.

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Considering Boat Insurance

Considering Boat Insurance

As summer begins to wind down, many boat owners begin taking stock of their vessel – seeing to any late-season repairs and making plans for the offseason. In the wake of a recent rash of outboard motor thefts in the Florida Keys, boat owners are taking extra care to ensure that their investments remain protected for the years to come. In many cases, this requires exploring the ins and outs of boat insurance.

It’s a common misconception that boat insurance covers the craft exclusively. Depending on the plan, boat owners can cover practically any unfortunate eventuality. The most basic plans cover collision damages, fire and lightning. Beyond that, most plans also protect against the threat of vandalism and theft. But that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Many policies extend far beyond the boat itself to cover machinery, outboard motors, boat trailers and personal property that may be attached.

Now that August has arrived and many seasonal boat operations will be ceasing within a few months, it’s as good a time as any to assess the state of your small boat. Whether or not you invest in an insurance plan, it’s always a good idea to keep your boat and its components well maintained. Providing the motor with satisfactory lubrication – as provided by Mercury engine oil – can effectively extend its life. That means more time to have fun in the sun.

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Mercury Marine Motors: Then and Now

Mercury Marine Motors: Then and Now

It should come as no surprise to outboard engine owners that Mercury Marine grew out of the seeds of hard work and innovation. After all, the company continues to display those traits to this day. It all started in the late 1930s, in a sleepy Wisconsin burg. Company founder Carl Kiekhaefer saw potential in a failing outboard motor manufacturer and rescued its supply of originally “rejected” motors.

In those days, Kiekhaefer still had modest dreams: naming the company after himself, he hired a small crew of workers to repair the 300 or so motors and sell them to the original buyer. This retailer was so pleased with the crew’s work that they turned around and ordered another batch. Around this time, Kiekhaefer began to envision designs for a refurbished outboard engine that would put power and reliability before all other considerations.

By 1940, the company had been renamed Mercury and was creating a whole new line of engines featuring an innovative fuel system and a housing to protect the drive shaft and exhaust from water damage. As America entered World War II, public attention turned away from the outboard industry. Mercury sought and won a government contract to make 2-stroke chainsaw motors.

In the post-war years, the recreation industry boomed and people returned to lakes and rivers with one thing on their mind: relaxation. Mercury resumed outboard production and would later introduce its own line of 2 cycle oil. Today the company has expanded to put its stamp on a wide variety of products for boat enthusiasts, including propellers, electric controls and inboard engines.

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How Much Horsepower Do You Need?

How Much Horsepower Do You Need?

Summer is in full swing, and there’s a frenzy of watercraft activity in lakes and rivers nationwide. If you want to add your craft to the mix, it’s important to choose an outboard motor that’s powerful enough to keep you in control but also environmentally friendly. First consider your boating needs, and then select an engine accordingly.

Small sailboat owners will want to stick to a light-weight, compact motor in the 2-3.5 hp range. Larger engines tend to hold these smaller vessels back. For small fiberglass boats and aluminum jon boats, an 8-10 hp outboard motor should pack plenty of power. Larger sailboats and longer fiberglass boats require more horsepower – something closer to the 15-20 hp range.

When selecting the proper outboard motor for your boat, bear in mind that 2-stroke engines are now much more environmentally safe than they were only a few years ago. Rigid EPA standards have helped clean up the waterways and improved outboard efficiency. As such, most standard 2-cycle oil makers have stepped up their game as well. Mercury oil is just one of several types that surpass safety standards with ease.

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Incorrect Oil Capacities?

Incorrect Oil Capacities?When looking through the standard owner’s manual for a boat engine, it’s important to note that the engine oil capacities listed are approximate. In addition, the engine oil capacity is reflective of the entire lubrication system. For this reason, when filling the engine, sometimes boat owners will notice that the engine is filled before the indicated amount of oil is used. Once oil is inside the engine, it’s quite difficult to ensure that all the oil is drained during an oil change. The residual oil left in the engine is the reason that it cannot be filled with the recommended amount of oil.

For a popular engine model, like the MerCruiser from Mercury, it’s important to fill the crankcase according to the dipstick when the engine is level. If the oil is at the mark, then it as the proper level regardless of how much additional oil is put in. Never overfill the crankcase, and always ensure that the right oil is used. For example, for a MerCruiser engine, use Mercury oil from the manufacturer for better performance and to preserve the life of the engine. The engine oil level should be between the add and full marks on the dipstick.

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Mercury Racing Information

Mercury Racing Information

Mercury Racing, a division of Mercury Marine, is the leading provider of marine engines for the performance minded boating enthusiast. Mercury Racing offers an exciting line of marine engines, parts, and accessories which utilize cutting-edge technology and represent the finest in quality. Mercury Racing provides outboards, sterndrives, and propellers designed for high performance boat racing. For the best performance, these products from Mercury Racing are best used in tandem with other Mercury products, including Mercury engine oil which ensures the engine operates at peak performance and doesn’t wear out. Mercury has a reputation for top quality, and Mercury Racing powered boats win more races and set more records worldwide when compared to other marine engine manufacturers. When purchasing Mercury products, boating enthusiasts can know that they’re receiving the best.

Mercury Racing products can be purchased direct from the manufacturer or through numerous retailers. Provided the product bears the original mark from Mercury, the owner can know their purchase is a good investment.

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Performing Maintenance on a Mercury Engine

Performing Maintenance on a Mercury Engine

When performing maintenance on a Mercury outboard engine, it’s important to be aware of a few safety precautions. First, make sure to read the Owner’s Manual and shop manual before any kind of maintenance is performed, and ensure all safety precautions noted in the manual are observed. These safety precautions include:

_Removing all fuel vapors from the bilge.
_Working in a well ventilated area
_Having a fire extinguisher near in case of fire.
_Wearing safety goggles or glasses.
_Avoiding sparks or open flames.

In addition to these precautions, it’s important to have the correct tools for maintenance, work in a clean area, and avoid getting fuel, Merucry engine oil, and other lubricants on the skin, as these can prove dangerous to health. It’s also a good idea to ensure that maintenance is performed at the regular required intervals, often based on how often the engine has been used or its age. Taking the proper maintenance precautions will ensure the safety of the owner, and the livelihood of the engine.

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Mercury Develops New Pro Kicker Engine

Mercury Develops New Pro Kicker Engine

Mercury’s Pro Kicker series of outboard motors are some of the most in demand motors amongst fishermen. The Pro Kicker series offers a sleek and functional design accompanied with a clean and fuel efficient engine. Perhaps the most appealing feature of the Pro Kicker engine is its unique quiet motor. Having a motor that doesn’t make a lot of splashing or sound makes it ideal for fisherman. In addition, the Mercury Pro Kicker provides hundreds of different features that make it a diverse outboard motor suited for all kinds of different purposes in the water.

Mercury has been the manufacturer of choice amongst fishermen for decades, and even some of the most aged Mercury engines are still in service amongst fisherman all over the world. In order to get the most out of your Mercury engine, be sure to use Mercury oil, which is formulated to provide superior performance, cleaner emissions, and help the engine to last. Mercury oil is also the preferred outboard motor oil for the Pro Kicker series; the oil ensures fishermen get the most out of their Mercury engines.

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Bassmasters Prefer Mercury Engines

Bassmasters Prefer Mercury Engines

Recently, Mercury Marine congratulated Skeet Reese for winning the 39th annual Bassmaster Classic. Reese was named the 2007 Bassmaster Angler of the Year, but believes that winning the Bassmaster Classic was his greatest accomplishment. Reese attributes much of his success to his Mercury OptiMax 250 Pro XS engine, which combined with Mercury engine oil, performed flawlessly throughout the event. In a direct statement, Reese said “My engine is everything-it’s one of the tools we can’t fish without. The abuse my Mercury took this week-like hitting stumps and sucking up mud from the river bottom-proved just how tough it was”. Reese noted that the largest fish come out of the muddy water, and that it’s important to have an engine that can endure those conditions. But with his Mercury OptiMax, Reese had no trouble maneuvering through the water and taking the tournament.

In addition to Reese, two of the other most prominent fisherman in the tournament use the Mercury OptiMax 250 Pro XS engines combined with the finest mercury engine oil. For all serious bass fishermen, Mercury engines are the ones to rely on to perform in poor conditions and through a lot of abuse.

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Award Winning Mercury Engines

Award Winning Mercury Engines

Mercury, renowned as one of the premier manufacturers of outboard engines and marine products, recently received the 2008 “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Two-Stroke Outboard Engines” award from J.D. Power and Associates. The engine that garnered the award, the Mercury OptiMax, has also won the same award for the last two years. Mercury engines have won countless awards, and while Mercury endeavors to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, most of their awards come from innovation. Mercury engines like the Verado have received dozens of awards, not just for the engine itself, but several of the parts within it. With the highest in customer satisfaction and innovation, purchasing a Mercury outboard is never a bad idea.

Mercury also manufactures a number of marine products including Mercury oil for use in their two-stroke and four-stroke engines. This Mercury oil contains special additives that allow Mercury engines to make full use of their innovations and increase performance on the water. Regardless of what you purchase, you won’t be dissatisfied with Mercury Marine!

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