The McPherson Companies, Inc. reposted this
On-highway fleets rely on lubricants to provide optimal viscosity—protecting engines, ensuring smooth operation and reducing friction between moving parts. But as trucks accumulate mileage, lubricants wear down. So, what exactly happens to lubricants over time—and how can fleet managers get the most out of them? Our Commercial Vehicles Lubricants Application Engineer Nick Rivera broke it down for us. “During the course of normal engine operation, lubricants experience a chemical change due to oxidation. A variety of factors contribute to this—including aeration, contamination from things like excess soot, water and coolants, and exposure to high temperatures,” he says. Together, these catalysts lead to oxidative particles that can degrade the lubricant. Oxidation is inevitable, but there are steps fleet managers can take to extend product life and keep their trucks on the road longer. “The effects of oxidation can be mitigated by using high-performing lubricants, formulated with advanced base oil and additive technology. Fleet managers already understand how important it is to know their specific engines inside-and-out, and the OEM drain interval recommendations,” Nick says. “But to extract the full value of your lubricants, you need a strong preventative maintenance practice.” According to Nick, working with a field representative to develop strong preventative maintenance practices can help significantly extend drain intervals. Using high performing, anti-wear lubricants and taking regular oil analysis samples to see the condition of the oil and equipment can make all the difference, sometimes extending oil life by two or three times the OEM recommendations.
General Manager (Sri Lanka & Maldives) at MCLARENS LUBRICANTS LIMITED
4moVery informative