Why are there so many different engine oils for commercial vehicles?
Gone are the days when commercial vehicle workshops had a big tank of engine oil that was used for pretty much any vehicle that made it onto a service ramp or over the service pit.
In the commercial vehicle sector, the landscape of emissions, engine designs, driveline configurations, hybrid technologies and increasing performance requirements to cope with environmental and legislative impacts is ever changing.
The Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are continually developing new engine designs. The formulations for engine oils are therefore constantly changing to comply with these new requirements. It is so important for lubricant manufacturers like Morris Lubricants to keep abreast of the latest specifications and approval changes.
The number of different formulated engine oils for trucks, buses, Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) or any other commercial vehicle will continue to increase as the technology and commercial vehicle hardware changes. This is a never-ending process.
Why Is Choosing and Using the Correct Oil So Important?
Modern engine oils for commercial vehicles must work alongside aftertreatment devices such as Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs), Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR – AdBlue®), and Nox reduction systems, to name just a few, as well as having to achieve higher performance goals, all helping to reduce emissions.
These latest commercial vehicle engine platforms and designs require a new generation of engine oil that generates ultra-thin oil films that reduce internal drag and deliver a high level of fuel efficiency. However, a word of caution, as this new engine oil technology is not backwards compatible with older engine designs it can cause accelerated wear issues if used in a vehicle that doesn’t have the appropriate vehicle specifications.
Engine oil selection, therefore, should not be underestimated and is more critical than ever.
Care should also be taken when topping up is required. Again, engine oil selection is critical, and top-up oil should comply with the specification demanded by the OEM. Mixing engine oils of different specifications cannot ensure maximum component protection, particularly important where extended oil drain intervals are involved.
So, What Does This All Mean to Users and Buyers of Engine Oil?
Engine oils are now considered as critical components for the efficient and long-term performance of commercial vehicles. The quality of the engine oils selected and used in commercial vehicles cannot be underestimated.
It is important that commercial vehicles are kept on the road and out of the workshop. A commercial vehicle in a workshop being fixed is not working and not contributing to the bottom line. This means that the correct selection and use of engine oils have become more and more critical.
In a market driven by changing commercial vehicle standards and environmental considerations, the importance of selecting and using high-quality lubricants cannot be overstated.
The increased number of engine oil formulations and the wide number of product choices available can be confusing, which can make it difficult for users to choose the correct oil that meets the correct specification.
Using the incorrect one, as highlighted, can cause engine failure, premature component wear, vehicle downtime and loss of income as vehicles are not on the road earning their keep.
Engine Oil Choice, It Can Be Confusing, So Where Can You Seek Help?
All these changes to vehicle requirements and the wide variety of product choices available can be confusing, even daunting, especially considering the damage that can be caused if the wrong oil, lubricant or antifreeze coolant is used. The good news is that Morris Lubricants is here to help. The company have provided technical support since the 1980s, and in today's environment, this has become even more crucial, as downtime and loss of business is not an acceptable option.
If you are unsure what oil is needed, call the Morris Lubricants’ Technical Helpline on 01743 237541, or use the company’s WhatOil online lubricant lookup. Simply enter a truck registration number into WhatOil, and the recommended engine oil is shown.
The Technical Services Department at Morris Lubricants is available to provide buyers and users with a point of contact, should help and advice be needed. It is headed up by Adrian Hill, Technology Manager, who has accumulated over 40 years of oil and lubricant industry experience. Adrian leads
a team of advisors who have chemistry backgrounds, hands on mechanical experience and various lubricant industry qualifications. This combination of skills and deep practical knowledge helps to provide accurate guidance and assistance.
To help users and buyers, a new video summarising the technical help and support that is offered by Morris Lubricants can be watched on the company’s YouTube channel. In the short video, Morris Lubricants Technology Manager, Adrian Hill, shows brand ambassador Guy Martin, the various support services provided by the company.
Advice can also be sought from the company’s online oil and lubricant lookup tool WhatOil, which can be found on the Morris Lubricants’ website and can therefore be accessed 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The correct product can be found on this lookup tool by entering a truck registration number or you can select from a wide variety of different commercial vehicles, equipment and machinery by using a series of simple dropdown menus. Once the vehicle or piece of equipment is selected, the recommended oils, antifreeze coolants and maintenance fluids are presented.
Another video featuring Adrian and Guy is also available to demonstrate this powerful and easy to use online tool. When you watch the video, you can see how Guy puts WhatOil to the test when trying to find the oil for one of his vehicles.
A Range of Oils For Many Different Makes Of Commercial Vehicle
Morris Lubricants’ ‘Versimax’ range of high-quality heavy-duty diesel engine oils is 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.
The Morris Lubricants range of commercial vehicle engine oils are suitable for previous and current generation diesel engines, including those that utilise aftertreatment devices. The range provides maximum rationalisation potential in mixed fleets where a number of manufacturers, models and engine technologies are being used. Ideal for operators of trucks, buses, coaches, off-highway, power generation and agricultural equipment.
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.