Michele Persico of Summerfield, Fla. has been a mobile dog groomer since 2002. She operates out of a 2017 Ford* Transit van equipped with everything she needs to service her customers’ pets, including a pair of dryers, multiple water pumps, a “Super Sudser” bathing system and an air conditioner to combat the brutal Florida heat. “It’s a ‘Mack Daddy,’ $100,000 vehicle,” said Persico. She primarily serves the retirement communities surrounding the Summerfield area.
The heart of her operation is a commercial generator that provides power for all her equipment. It normally runs non-stop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and sometimes later. “It’s my lifeline; it has to run,” said Persico.
Summer temperatures often hit 100°F (38°C), which can take a toll on small engines. The humidity only adds to the challenge. “The ‘feels-like’ temperature was 111°F (44°C) one day,” said Persico.
Persico has always run the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) brand of oil in her generator. She calls herself the “queen of maintenance,” performing oil changes every 150 hours. She’s meticulous about checking the oil level, too, since the generator normally burns oil. “When you’re only running two quarts, if I don’t pay attention, I could easily shut my generator down due to low oil,” she said.
It’s common for the oil to darken in color significantly and be down three-quarters of a quart after 75 hours of operation.
AMSOIL Synthetic Small-Engine Oil reduces oil consumption. Realizing the severe conditions under which Persico’s generator operates all day, a technician at Riley Auto Electric, in Homassasa, Fla., recommended AMSOIL 10W-40 Synthetic Small-Engine Oil. He said it was the best oil on the market and that he used it himself.
Persico made the switch. After running the generator for a couple weeks in the July heat with no shutdowns during the day, Persico decided to check the oil level. “I had been worried all week with the heat, anticipating the normal, low oil level,” said Persico. “Much to my very pleasant surprise, the generator just needed a small shot of oil and the oil was still clear and looked amazing,” she said. “After 20 or 30 hours running the OEM oil, it’s really dark. But AMSOIL was so transparent, I had to look twice at the dipstick to make sure I had oil. I am thrilled! This machine is my lifeline; if it doesn’t run, my business stops dead.”
Persico also points out that AMSOIL Synthetic Small-Engine Oil is slightly less expensive than the OEM oil, too, providing better performance at a lower price. Using AMSOIL products helps her keep her equipment running strong while saving money. Her goal is to get 10,000 hours out of her generator before replacement, which would save her quite a bit of money.
“A new generator would cost me $6,000-$7,000,” she said. “When you’re in my business, you don’t want to be laid up, because the more time you’re not on the road, it’s money you’re losing.
“I will never use another oil in my generator, and I plan on using your products in all my vehicles in the future. I have seen the proof,” said Persico.
