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It’s not your father’s (or even your grandfather’s) truck anymore…
By Sherri Middleton
By now most of you have already considered how cold temperatures will affect your trucks. Most fleets schedule oil, fuel and lube changes months in advance in preparation for the big chill of winter.
In case you’ve forgotten or overlooked some minor details, we’re highlighting some maintenance topics that should not be forgotten.
Stede Granger, OEM, Tech Services Manager, Shell Lubricants, says most fleets or operators need to be concerned about three basic things to keep their trucks running in extreme conditions: fuel, coolants and engine oils.
Fuel
“Fuel is a very important consideration. Trucks that run south to north have extreme challenges and they are often overlooked,” he says. “A winterized fuel mix traditionally has been mixed with #1 diesel and kerosene. Today there is nothing available like this.”
The fuel is the most important thing to consider for a heavy-duty engine. Also look for 75W/90 gear oils and SAE 50-type transmission fluids.
Diesel Additives
Steve Sikorsky, vice president of sales and marketing for Howes Lubricator Products says diesel fuel additives are important in winter months because diesel fuels gel and wax in cold temperatures. Sikorsky says fuel additives that prevent the formulation of waxes are necessary to insure starting and lubrication under operating conditions.
One product to consider is Howes Diesel Treat. This product is a diesel conditioner plus anti-gel that provides increased power and cleaning, and lubrication of the fuel injectors. Fuel filters last longer because the additive removes harmful water and bacteria from the diesel fuel.
Coolants
The coolants should be maintained all year round.
In the past coolants were altered based on climate changes. “What we used to think is that you add water or coolants, but what they (truck operators) don’t know is that they are diluting the perfect mixture of ‘perfect’ formulations,” he says.
Engine Oils
Engine oils should be selected for the optimum operating temperatures in a given situation. “It’s better to choose a lower viscosity oil in colder temperatures because it behaves like a higher viscosity (oil) when operating.”
The adage that it’s not ‘your grandfathers’ truck’ is now more important than ever for the life of your fleet.
“At low temperatures oil behaves like an SAE 5 oil, so you want the lower viscosity oil for diesel engines,” he said.
Truth & Myth
The experts offer these guidelines to running a happy and healthy truck.
“Fuel is very important,” Granger says. “You want to winterize your fuel mix depending on your location or where your trucks travel. Look for ultra-low sulfur diesel fuels. Truck operators formerly mixed a #1 diesel fuel with a kerosene mixture. This mix is not currently available on the market, and is not a good choice for today’s high-performance engines.”
Sikorsky agrees saying Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) has a lower BTU content which results in reduced fuel economy. By using diesel additives, truck operators notice restored fuel economy of 2 to 3 percent. A product that helps treat ULSD fuels is necessary, particularly today with new low sulfur diesel fuel mixes, because the process that reduces sulfur also strips the fuel of its lubricating properties.
Howes’ primary business is fuel additives for diesel fuel, and he said his company offers products that are designed treatments for anti-gel to prevent the formulation of wax. These cold wax modifiers are labeled as cold flow improvers under the Howes label.
The anti-gel, cold flow improvers also add lubricating properties back to the fuel and they help to clean the fuel injectors in diesel engines. This product can be use year-round for optimum diesel performance.
Another product, Howe’s Meaner Power Cleaner, is designed for spring and summer diesel treatment. It does not contain anti-gel chemicals, but in warmer weather, this additive provides a 5 percent fuel economy benefit in addition to being a higher-end injector cleaner that helps to improve combustion while removing water from the fuel.
Howes’ Meaner Power Cleaner is a non-solvent, alcohol-free product formulated to increase the life of the fuel injection system, resulting in more lower, lower emissions, increased miles-per-gallon and a decrease in maintenance costs.
Meaner Power Cleaner reduces sediment formation and eliminates water problems.
Howes diesel additives actually provide the lubricating properties available in the older 1990s-type fuels, without the negative effects. “Our products add lubricity back to the older specifications, while helping to keep fuel injectors clean,” Sikorsky says. “You get the benefits of better fuel economy and better performance because the product eliminates water and bacteria that clog the filters, and you get better lubricating properties.”
Manufacturers recommend that drivers carry diesel fuel additives on board when they are driving or purchase the additive each time they refuel on their route. They also recommend maintenance technicians pay careful attention to scheduling oil changes through the climate changes if they are not using anti-gel formulations.
By being aware of the differences in fuels, lubricants and additives, drivers and fleet owners will notice better performance and less downtime.
The same is true in oils.
“In oils we want lower viscosity blends such as a synthetic product that aids in cold temperatures like Rotella T 5W/40. The number 5 is the performance level, so at cold temperatures it behaves like an SAE 5 oil in diesel engines. It’s good for operating temperatures.”
Granger says customers are often fearful of the numbers on oil in operating conditions. “A 40 is operating temp,” he says. “Many customers are nervous that a 40 weight is too light for engines, but that’s not true. As temperatures or thickness change, the oil gets thinner and the film thickens. A single grade SAE 40 is perfect at higher operating temperatures and perfect in cold starting when it’s warm.”
Coolants
Coolants should be maintained all year long regardless of the temperature. For many years drivers would add water or coolants to top off the radiator. Today’s wisdom is to add the OEM recommended formulation. That is generally the manufacturer product or a 50/50 blend of the exact formulation. Adding anything other than the correct coolant is asking for trouble down the road.
If you need to check the coolant level, Shell advises an optimal operating temperature of minus 30 degrees. A density device is the best way to measure an accurate mixture, and experts recommend a refractometer to measure the refractive index of the coolant in antifreeze to gauge ethylene glycol levels. “Double check every so often because you want the water to be at +32 degrees,” Granger says.
Engine Oils
It’s best to be on the positive side of the temperature range in engine temps. Look for engine oils that are lower viscosity for cold starts. A base 5 level is a good indicator of an oil’s ability to start in cold conditions because it behaves like an SAE 5. “As the temperature or thickness changes with colder temperatures, the oil gets thinner. The film thickens. A single grade SAE is perfect at higher operating temperatures because it goes up in temperature as the engine works,” he says. “Too much viscosity is too much drag on the engine.”
So if you think of an oils’ rating as 5W/40, that oil will behave like a 15W because it provides 100 times the viscosity it needs at operating temperatures.
“Don’t be nervous about the lower weight number,” he says. “A 5W/40 product that looks like it is perfect in some parts of Canada, is 15W/40 in Alabama. In both places you get the protection of the 40 with the stability of the 5 weight oil; they get the start-up properties of the 5W and the engine protection properties of a 40W.”
Granger says the lighter first number of 5W or a 10W should not be considered. Look at the second number such as 40-weight to determine optimum operating conditions.
Other Oils and Lubes
As far as other oils or lubes, it is important to use a 75W/90 gear oil for most applications. Transmissions use an SAE 5 lubricant.
Maintenance Schedules
Next year you also should consider a fall weather maintenance program that includes an inspection of the antifreeze, lubricants, oils and a comprehensive plan to buy fuel in large supplies to meet winterizing needs.
The downside of not following a good plan is plugged fuel filters, engines that will not start, blown radiators and downtime that will stop a truck cold. “Plan ahead and know what you are doing” Granger advises. “You could be looking at a $20,000 repair to the engine block if you don’t watch out for the coolant if the block freezes. Check coolant levels every time you fuel. Add a 50/50 coolant and don’t forget to check the fifth wheel to make sure it’s lubricated. A good choice is Shell Retinax Fifth Wheel Grease.”
For more information on Howes Lubricator Products visit the websitet www.howeslube.com or call 1-800-438-9080.
Shell Retinax Fifth Wheel Grease Offers Easy Application
Shell’s Retinax Fifth Wheel Grease is a heavy-duty calcium grease formulated with a high level of solid additives for enhanced load carrying capability.
With its high solids content and heavy base oil formula, the new grease provides an effective lubricant film under heavy stress and constant sliding contact.
The Retinax Fifth Wheel Grease is suitable for lubrication of all fifth wheel top plates because it offers good adhesive properties, while remaining resistant to water. The new grease holds up to washout and spray-off during long hauls on wet highways, and it resists flaking.
The grease is available in a one-time, easy-to-use squeeze tube for quick use of the proper amount. Apply the grease and dispose of the unused portion in accordance with applicable regulations. |
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