As the cold season approaches, fleet managers are faced with the important task of preparing their vehicles for the challenges that cold weather may bring, from snow to ice and everything in between. One of the most important aspects of preparing for winter is the selection of the right lubricants to suit your fleet’s needs. Understanding the important role that heavy-duty engine oils and grease play in your fleet’s smooth, efficient, and safe operations is essential in helping you select the right lubricants for your vehicles, as the mercury dips.
The challenges of cold weather
Colder weather presents a unique set of challenges that you’ll need to address in your maintenance plan. For instance, engines are more prone to wear during cold starts as lubricants are thick and may not circulate quickly. Cold temperatures can increase friction in engine components, which can also lead to wear and reduced efficiency. Additionally, the moisture, salt, and contaminants in the cool air can accelerate corrosion in critical parts of your engines, especially if they’re not properly lubricated.
Because of these seasonal challenges, selecting the right lubricants is essential to maintaining optimal fleet performance as the temperatures start to drop.
The role of engine oil
As the unsung hero, engine oil is vital for keeping your vehicles running smoothly and protecting your engines during winter. Cold weather can significantly impact engine performance and longevity. Choosing the right engine oil can make a difference:
- Viscosity grades. It is important to understand the significance of engine oil viscosity grades for selecting the right oil. As temperatures drop, engine oil thickens and may not flow properly. Inadequate lubrication due to the wrong viscosity can cause dry starts since the oil is too thick to be pumped through the filter or oil gallery. Select an oil with appropriate cold-weather viscosity ratings. For example, 10W-30 oil is formulated to flow more easily in colder temperatures, making it suitable for engines in regions with colder winters. The "W" in the grade stands for "winter," indicating the oil's cold flow performance.
- Lower viscosity oils for cold start protection. The lower viscosity at low temperatures ensures the engine is well-lubricated during cold starts, reducing wear and ensuring smooth operation. Lower viscosity use in heavy-duty applications is now an option due to advancements in additives.
- Thermal stability. Winter can also bring unpredictable temperature fluctuations. Heavy-duty engine oils must maintain stability across a wide temperature range. This thermal stability ensures that the oil remains effective in protecting engine components, even when the temperatures rise again.
- Synthetic vs. conventional formulations*. Consider synthetic lubricants, as they offer an array of operational advantages that are impossible to ignore, including:
- Enhanced stability at extreme temperatures: synthetic oils provide superior thermal stability in extreme temperatures, particularly during cold weather start-ups, ensuring quick flow and lubrication.
- Extended maintenance intervals: Synthetic HDEOs provide longer intervals between oil changes backed by oil analysis for cost savings and operational efficiency. Synthetic greases can also increase regreasing intervals.
- Superior oxidation resistance: Synthetics exhibit superior oxidation resistance, maintaining oil integrity and performance over extended periods compared to conventional counterparts.
- Engine cleanliness and fuel efficiency: Synthetic HDEOs promote engine cleanliness, improve fuel efficiency, and boast a lower coefficient of friction. They are engineered to meet or exceed stringent industry and OEM standards.
*It is important to note that, while synthetics offer extended relubrication intervals and superior performance, their higher upfront cost may pose a barrier for some operators. In this case, consider synthetic blends as they offer a more cost-effective alternative to full synthetics. Synthetic blends deliver many of the benefits of synthetics at a fraction of the cost. It is important to consider the total cost of ownership when determining the oils and greases that are right for your fleet.
CITGO Lubricants offers a wide range of synthetic oils tailored to diverse commercial vehicle applications. For instance, their CITGO CITGARD 1000 Full Synthetic Heavy Duty Engine Oils cater to specific viscosity requirements, optimizing efficiency for over-the-road and on/off-road operations. By combining synthetic and conventional oils, CITGO synthetic blends provide enhanced mobility, stability, and performance, catering to your fleet’s needs.
Grease is the word
While engine oil is the lifeblood of your engines, grease also plays a vital role in the performance and longevity of any fleet. When choosing a grease in colder weather, consider the following important factors:
- Take into consideration machinery temperature and environment. The temperature will let you know how the grease will flow and pump. Some greases have been formulated to be more cold-resistant. The lower numbers (000 to 1) are softer and easier to pump over longer distances.
- The grease’s ability to handle extreme pressures. This directly leads to longer component life and reduced downtime.
- Its overall mobility and pumpability ensure that your components are protected in colder temperatures and environmental changes.
- Its ability to resist corrosion both from freshwater and saltwater sources. When exposed to moisture and oxygen, the metal components will form an oxide, causing pitting. Extensive pitting can lead to weakened parts, disintegration, and eventually full failure.
- Its water washout resistance, for cooler weather and environmental conditions and truck washdowns. This will prevent failures and damage and will increase the component’s overall service life.
A quality grease, like Mystik Heavy-Duty Grease, can make a strong impact on the overall health and lifespan of your fleet, yielding greater returns, and a safer working environment year-round.
Best practices for lubrication in cold weather
- Check your owner’s manual: Look for the recommended oil and regreasing intervals, and the recommended lubricants or required specifications from the OEM.
- Perform regular maintenance checks: As winter approaches, it’s important to conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure all vehicles are equipped with the appropriate lubricants. Check oil levels, inspect grease points, and replace any fluids that may be suboptimal for cold weather conditions.
- Use oil analysis: Using oil analysis may help you extend oil drains and protect your engine in cold temperatures.
- Consult your suppliers: Work closely with your lubricant supplier about choosing the right combination of heavy-duty engine oils and greases that will work together in colder months, such as CITGO’s premium line of CITGARD HDEOs and Mystik Heavy Duty Grease, for your fleet’s optimized performance.
- Plan for emergency scenarios: Cold weather can be unpredictable. Keep emergency lubricant supplies on hand to deal with unexpected situations. This includes extra engine oil and grease to handle any unplanned maintenance needs during harsh weather.
Preparing your fleet for cold weather involves more than just checking routine tire and battery checks; it requires a strategic approach to lubrication. By selecting the right engine oils and greases, such as CITGARD premium engine oils and Mystik premium lubricants, you can significantly enhance the performance, safety, and lifespan of your vehicles. Investing time and resources into proper lubrication will pay off in the form of reduced downtime, lower maintenance costs, and safer operations when harsh winter weather strikes. Stay ahead of the cold and ensure your fleet is ready to tackle whatever winter throws its way!
