Klotz Synthetic Lubricants have a rich history in snowmobile racing and high-performance applications. As one of the early pioneers of snowmobile lubrication and fuel technology innovation, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants was intimately involved with competitors and factory teams, alike.
Led by Chairman Emeritus John C. Klotz Jr., the Fort Wayne, Ind., organization began formulating and manufacturing a specialty fuel and two-stroke lubricant that not only made power, but offered a significant durability advantage, too. To this day, there’s no mistaking that racy Klotz smell when the sleds get busy following that first heavy snow of the year.
We sat down with Mr. Klotz for a trip down memory lane and to get some insight into Klotz’s rapid ascent in popularity during the “glory days.”
According to Mr. Klotz, Klotz was on the leading edge of two-stroke lubrication and blended fuel technology as early as the 1970s. He stated, "Charlie (Chuck) Rencurrel, who ran Kalamazoo Engineering - he was a pioneer. A real engineer type of guy. He was an innovative guy."
Rencurrel engineered the studs that were installed into the tracks of racing snowmobiles and the runners used on the skis, providing traction and better steering ability for snowmobile racers. These innovations were crucial during the 1970s when snowmobile racing and high-performance use were just beginning.
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Snowmobiling was new and popular, especially in the upper Midwest. The United States Snowmobile Association (USSA) created a special class for racing called the SnowPro Class, involving major manufacturers like Yamaha, Ski Doo, Arctic Cat, and Polaris.
Klotz's Involvement with Yamaha
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Yamaha, known for high-performance engines, faced a problem with their racing machines. According to Mr. Klotz, "When they got over here for those first races, they were blowing everyone’s doors off for about eight laps, then they’d burn it down. That happened in every class they were in. So, they knew when they went home, they had a problem and needed to do something."
Charlie Rencurrel connected with Yamaha and realized the issue was the unleaded gasoline used in the United States, which differed from the premium leaded gasoline the engines were designed for in Japan.
Yamaha sent a representative to work with Klotz to develop a solution. Klotz formulated a special fuel with the necessary octane and lubricant. After several days of testing and adjustments, they found a formula that worked, leading to the creation of Klotz Snowmobile Pre-Mix.
Mr. Klotz remembers, "After that, obviously, Yamaha wanted some product, so we made up a bunch of cans - maybe it was 50 or 100 five-gallon cans and we called it Klotz Snowmobile Pre-Mix. After that, it spread like fire. Everybody had to have it right away. That’s how we got in the snowmobile pre-mix market."
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Initially, Klotz dominated the market. Klotz recalls, "There were times, early on, before there was a lot of competition, everyone was using our product. One hundred percent of the field was using Klotz Pre-Mix and that made a huge impact on the enthusiast. We developed a very loyal following and still have that following to this day."
Customer loyalty grew over the years, with the snowmobile lubricant surpassing the popularity of the pre-mix gasoline. Klotz emphasized, "We can’t hardly make it fast enough. We’re already getting big orders for this coming winter."
To maintain its edge, Klotz became a member of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and its lubrication division. This involvement helped the company stay updated with technological advancements.
Klotz was the first company to offer a synthetic lubricant specifically formulated for snowmobiles, and they have continued to evolve with the technology.
According to Mr. Klotz, "The technology is always changing and out of that, Klotz became a member of the National Marine Manufacturers Association and their lubrication division. I’m on that board and have been for many years. That relationship and association was born from the early days of our involvement in the snowmobile industry."
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The increased power in modern engines puts more stress on moving parts, requiring constant innovation in lubrication technology. Klotz has successfully adapted to these changes, maintaining its reputation for high-quality snowmobile lubricants.
Klotz Snowmobile Techniplate is an ashless high-performance lubricant for two-stroke snowmobile engines.
Antioxidants and detergents mitigate high-temperature oxidation, deposit formation, and spark plug fouling. Dispersants reduce smoke generation. Surface-active antiwear chemistry protects against bearing and piston ring wear.
This formulation delivers outstanding low-temperature flow (pour point = -51°C), resists gelling, and maintains a tenacious coating on hardware between uses to protect the engine during cold start-ups.
Klotz Snowmobile Techniplate exceeds the performance requirements of NMMA TC-W3 and JASO FD. It is designed specifically for gasoline and can be used in pre-mixed, oil injected, and DFI equipment.
Refer to the equipment manufacturer’s recommendation for pre-mix or oil injection directions. This product will blend with gasoline at ratios of 15:1 or greater.
NMMA® TC-W3 and JASO FD certified for complete warranty compliance.
Oil Injection: Pour directly into the oil injection tank.
Pre-Mix: Blends completely with gasoline and stays in suspension indefinitely.
Less Drag...
Here are recommended pre-mix ratios:
| Ratio | Oil (oz) |
|---|---|
| 32:1 | 4.0 |
| 40:1 | 3.2 |
| 50:1 | 2.6 |
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