On-Highway - Applications & Environment

Over-the-road trucks enjoy the relative advantage of an environment that is reasonably contamination-free. They further enjoy the ability to receive reasonably prompt and competent aid when mechanical problems arise. For this reason your primary focus might be on testing the oil to:

1. Spot revealing contamination that indicates an operating problem
2. Extend oil changes with safety, reducing the costs of oil and disposal thereof

Spectrometric wear metals, of course, are also routinely performed, however the contaminant metals that are simultaneously detected as part of the testing process are equally important for identifying, e.g., abrasives or coolant additives. Tier 3 testing is oftentimes the ‘best’ solution for OTR operations, however, there can be an advantage to having Tier 1 Oil Condition sensors fitted for engines operating in sufficiently benign conditions, such that extended drain potential justifies their installation. Consider the following:

Sending samples to an off-site (Tier 3) lab can be time consuming once sample taking, submission, testing and reporting have been taken into account. Using a Tier 1 Oil Condition sensor may alert you that any problem exists, allowing immediate action to be taken.


SUMMARY: Tier 3 testing is the appropriate general approach for the Trucking Industry; however there is the very real prospect of extended oil drain achievement in a safe manner that also has the key potential to reveal developing problems at the outset, while providing an attractive means to mitigate the time delays associated with Tier 3 testing.