What damage can the wrong oil cause in commercial vehicles?
Should you concern yourself with choosing and then using the correct oil in a commercial vehicle? What will happen if you use the wrong oil? Can you skip an oil change? Does it really matter? Surely it will all be ok? What could possibly go wrong? As Morris Lubricants Technology Manager Adrian Hill, explains “In the commercial vehicle sector, you need to be aware of the potential damage that can be caused by using the wrong oil. There is no merit to cutting corners, so yes, you should take correct oil choice and use very seriously.”
In this technical article, Adrian explains why you could end up needing deep pockets to cover repair bills, business downtime and even loss of income if the wrong oils are used in commercial vehicles like trucks, Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), buses and coaches. Plus, there could be damage your company’s reputation if you start to let customers down.
The world of commercial vehicle oils is continually evolving and there are lots of different formulations available. Therefore, selecting then using the correct oil is critical to the operational efficiency and longevity of commercial vehicle engines and drivelines. One of the biggest challenges for commercial vehicle oils today is to provide maximum component protection. Sounds simple, but these oils need to function correctly to protect the commercial vehicle when it operates under a variety of loads and duty cycles, as well as maintaining the integrity of any aftertreatment devices fitted to the exhaust system.
So, let’s focus on engine oil first. Not replacing the engine oil at the correct service interval, or even using the wrong engine oil, can have a big impact on fuel efficiency, cause poor oil circulation as well as give rise to a lack of sludge and deposit control. These factors can cause major issues leading to the possibility of the engine overheating and at worse severe engine component damage. The use of the wrong engine oil can cause poor soot control that can lead to accelerated wear, due to its abrasive nature, as well as oil thickening, that can inhibit oil flow resulting in oil starvation and engine failure. Ring soot compaction is another consequence of using the wrong engine oil, that can prematurely wear piston rings and polish cylinder liners, leading to excessive blow-by and reduced power output. Throw into the equation that the wrong oil can lead to poor corrosion control, and you soon can have sticking valves that can also reduce engine efficiency. In a commercial vehicle, where high mileage can be achieved in a very short time, the wrong oil can cause engine components such as bearings, camshafts and pistons, for example, to break or wear out prematurely.
The potential worry does not stop with the engine and its internal components. The correct oil must work with aftertreatment devices that are required to control NOx emissions and particulate matter (PM). These aftertreatment devices are highly sensitive to engine lubricant chemistry. The wrong oil can contain too much sulphur and phosphorous (for anti-wear performance for example) that can poison catalysts used in AdBlue systems and if the lubricant creates too much ash, it can prematurely block Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs). When the AdBlue systems and DPFs go wrong, they are expensive to replace, and the vehicle will need to be taken off the road.
The consequences of any of these engine problems means that the commercial vehicle will need to be fixed and it will also be off the road. When a commercial vehicle is being fixed, this downtime costs money and as highlighted this can affect a company’s reputation.
As Adrian explains “This may feel like a lot of information to take in, but the important take home is, use the correct engine oil as specified by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or else risk the catastrophic effect on the engines ability to function correctly”.
Whilst on the topic of engines, it is always worth remembering that every commercial vehicle fitted with an internal combustion engine has an antifreeze coolant system which is designed to maintain the most efficient operational temperature. Antifreeze coolant choice is also very important, and selection should be based on its chemical make-up and antifreeze coolant specifications set by the OEM. Problems also arise if too much antifreeze coolant is used in the system as it can cause overheating. Likewise, if too much water is added to the mixture the antifreeze coolant mix will not prevent freezing and you risk damaging the engine due to the formation of ice crystals. As highlighted the antifreeze coolant chemistry is important. The compounds used in the formulations are developed to cope with corrosion and rusting, maintaining pH, preventing cavitation erosion, controlling foam and oxidation. Poor antifreeze coolant choice could impair engine operation and may influence fuel efficiency. So, to put simply use the correct antifreeze coolant at the correct water mix ratio.
As Adrian explains, “Using the correct antifreeze coolant is as important as engine oil use. The best advice is to use the correct antifreeze coolant specification as set by the OEM. A word of warning, do not choose an antifreeze coolant based on colour, the dye is just cosmetic, so chose and use the antifreeze coolant with the correct specification set by the OEM.”
Our attention now turns to the commercial vehicle’s driveline. Transferring power from the engine to the wheels of a commercial vehicle without energy losses is essential if we want to reduce fuel consumption and reduce harmful emissions. There are of course options when it comes to transmission types, but in the UK and Europe automatics, whether full Auto Transmissions (ATs) or Automated Manual Transmissions (AMTs) dominate. ATs rely on the positive engagement of brake bands and clutch packs. Slippage saps energy and creates faster rates of wear. It can also generate higher running temperatures that once again will have a negative impact on operational efficiency. The correct oil use helps to combat these issues. AMTs are more robust, but the oil needs to circulate rapidly from cold, an essential requirement to help ensure bearings are protected, especially if they are splash-fed by the oil. The necessary levels of Extreme Pressure (EP) performance in oil formulations are needed to protect the meshing gear sets and to reduce wear, particular under high loads at slow speeds. If there isn’t enough protection from correct oil use, then the transmission can be subjected to excessive wear and tear. This is of course not a desirable outcome. Under prolonged driving conditions we will see a heat soak that may cause the oil to thermally degrade and form deposits. Deposits will have an impact on the integrity of transmission components that can cause a fuel efficiency deficit. The oils used in transmissions must be stable at high temperatures. The same applies to differentials that have the final job of power transfer to the wheels. They also use meshing gear sets and will be subjected to heavily loaded, slow work or high road speeds with the associated heat soak. As Adrian again confirms, “All of these potential performance issues can be eliminated by using transmission and differential oils with the correct credentials and following the requirements set by the OEM”.
What does this all mean? Adrian concludes, “To confirm the answer to the earlier question, yes you should you concern yourself with choosing and then using the correct commercial vehicle oils. Also don’t forget about the antifreeze coolants! Make sure you follow the recommended service intervals and make sure you are using the correct oils, lubricants and functional fluids as set out by the OEM.”
Confused? Don’t worry help is on hand
Morris Lubricants understands this level of choice can be a minefield and do provide quick advice via its online oil, lubricant and functional fluid look up tool, WhatOil. This is a fully interrogatable database that provides a full set of oil, lubricant, grease and antifreeze coolant requirements for a wide range of makes and models of commercial vehicles. Morris Lubricants’ Whatoil can be found on here.
WhatOil takes away the guess work. By either entering the commercial vehicle’s make and model details or a truck registration number, the exact oils, lubricants and functional fluids are displayed to avoid these pitfalls of using the wrong the wrong product. The data is quick to access and provides peace of mind.
The data contained in WhatOil has been painstakingly collated through liaison with the OEMs and has been vetted and verified to help ensure accuracy. Each of the oil, lubricant and functional fluid recommendations have been selected against OEM requirements by an experienced technical team, that has thorough understanding of oil technology and vehicle manufacturer specifications.
This information involves real people with real world knowledge. You may be tempted to do a simple internet search or use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to find the correct oil to use. But be aware, as these may provide unverified and possibly inaccurate recommendations and may not be fully trusted.
A range of oils for many different makes of commercial vehicles
Morris Lubricants provides a wide range of high-quality heavy-duty diesel engine oils that are designed for the commercial vehicle sector and are suitable for use in a wide variety of manufacturers, including Volvo, MAN, Mack, Scania, Cummins, Caterpillar, Mercedes Benz, DAF, Renault and many more.
These engine oils have been manufactured for use in previous and current generation diesel engines, including those that utilise aftertreatment devices. The range provides maximum rationalisation potential in mixed fleets where several manufacturers, models and engine technologies are being used
The company also provides a range of antifreeze coolants as well as transmission and differential oils for a wide range of commercial vehicle brands. Ideal for operators of trucks, HGVs, buses and coaches.
Further information about Morris Lubricants’ range of commercial vehicle products can be found on morrislubricants.co.uk. You can also speak to the Morris Lubricants’ Sales Team on 01743 232200.