July_2021 - 50

GUE ST EDITORIA L
» High-performane engine oils can
extend oil drain intervals, reducing
scheduled maintenance costs.
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fuel economy and efficiency that has driven
the transition toward low viscosity engine oils.
The most recent oil standards, API CK-4
The journey and
continued evolution of
heavy-duty engine oils
As commercial vehicle engines
advance, engine oils keep up by
providing lower viscosity, greater
oxidation resistance, and improved
aeration control and shear stability.
Engine oil is the lifeblood of heavy-duty
trucks. It protects the internal workings of
the engine to help it run efficiently and reliably.
Heavy-duty engine oils have evolved to
meet the needs of modern fleets and today's
engine technology, but how and why have they
changed, and what is the future for heavy-duty
engine lubricants?
Engine oils in focus
The role of engine oil is important to consider
before exploring the advances in modern lubricant
technology. High-quality lubricants can
maintain and improve the efficiency and performance
of heavy-duty fleet engines. By minimizing
metal-to-metal contact between moving
components, as well as reducing pumping and
rotational losses, engine oils can improve the
engine's efficiency and fuel economy.
Lubricants also provide vital protection to the
internal workings of the engine to prevent wear,
which can result in unplanned maintenance
and downtime. The right choice of lubricant
can help prevent this, saving fleet managers
and maintenance teams both time and money.
By Darryl Purificati
SR. TECHNICAL ADVISOR, OEM/AUTOMOTIVE AT
HOLLYFRONTIER LUBRICANTS & SPECIALTIES, WHICH
INCLUDES THE PETRO-CANADA LUBRICANTS BRAND
Darryl Purificati has 27 years of experience working in
the oil and energy sector as a technical advisor. He joined
Petro-Canada in 1994 to support its lubricants business
and the Petro-Canada Lubricants brand. Darryl has successfully
undertaken various roles including Lubricants
Research and Development, OEM Sales, Fuels Quality,
and Technical Services. Since 2012, Darryl's expertise has
been utilized across the industry in his role as industry
liaison and technical advisor for OEM and driveline products.
Darryl is also widely involved within the industry as
an active member of the American Petroleum Institute
(API), ASTM International, and the Society of Automobile
Engineers (SAE).
Modern engine lubricant needs
Heavy-duty trucks and engines have evolved
considerably over recent decades. This has
consequently driven innovation in engine
oil development to ensure that they meet the
needs and challenges of modern fleets.
For example, new engines run at higher
temperatures, so they need more durable
engine oils to help prevent oxidation and wear.
The latest engine architecture also features
tighter internal clearances and therefore
require lower viscosity lubricants that can
flow more easily around the engine to provide
protection. It is this engine design, combined
with the desire across the industry to improve
50 Fleet Maintenance | July 2021
and FA-4, address these challenges by providing
greater oxidation resistance along with
improved aeration control and shear stability.
This results in enhanced engine protection and
efficiency and, in turn, improved fuel economy.
Added to these key benefits, today's high
performance engine oils also offer the potential
to extend oil drain intervals, which can reduce
scheduled maintenance costs and help keep
fleets on the road for longer periods between
oil drains. Maintaining a vehicle's warranty
is a key consideration when extending drain
intervals, so it is crucial to involve the OEM in
the process and seek support from expert lubricant
technical service advisers. Extending oil
drain intervals should always be undertaken
in conjunction with an oil analysis program.
The next steps for
heavy-duty engine oils
In the near future, it is likely that the industry
trend toward lower viscosity engine oils will
continue to drive lubricant innovation and
achieve even better fuel efficiency for fleets.
This can be seen within API CK-4 engine oils
and the ongoing transition to their counterpart,
API FA-4 lubricants.
By looking to the passenger car industry,
we can understand the low viscosity journey
that the heavy-duty industry is on. Passenger
car engines are becoming more efficient due to
legislation and demand for greater fuel economy
and lower emissions. This has resulted in
lower viscosity engine oils that offer superior
protection and maximize engine power output
for greater performance. The passenger car
industry is several steps and years ahead of
the heavy-duty fleet sector, but it is forging a
pathway that we will likely follow as we head
toward lower viscosity grades such as SAE
0W-20 and SAE 5W-20 lubricants.
Also on the horizon is PC-12, which will
be developed based on Phase 3 of the greenhouse
gas emissions regulations from the
Environmental Protection Agency and California
Air Resources Board. An announcement regarding
PC-12 has yet to be made, but it is expected
to be timetabled for 2027 and to continue the
trend toward lower viscosity grades such as SAE
5W-30 and SAE 5W-20.
Heavy-duty engine oils began a journey
toward lower viscosities several years ago,
and today the industry is continuing on that
pathway with engine architecture and technological
developments forging the way. PC-12
is beginning to appear on the horizon, and
as the roadmap has been marked out by the
passenger car industry, it will be here sooner
than we think.
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