Understanding Oil Contaminants

Tom Bock
March 2016

March is a great month for truckers. There is the first day of spring signaling the end of the long cold winter and The Mid-American Truck Show in Louisville 3/31 to 4/2. This yearly event showcases products and provides free seminars to help answer the eternal question; “How can I improve my bottom line?”

Over the years I have learned that there are two ways to improve profits by either increasing revenues at a rate greater than expenses or reducing expenses without losing revenues. You can control the revenue somewhat but ultimately the rates customers are willing to pay are a function of supply and demand. The carrier who can control the expense side of the equation has an advantage and can move loads for a lower rate when necessary.

The successful carriers understand that they can control the cost side and improve profits as well as allowing them to function and thrive during the lesser demand periods when rates drop. There are many seminars available that focus on improving the business side of being an owner operator from bookkeeping, to negotiation and maintenance expense control, schedule your time to attend one. It will help you head in a positive direction.

Cutting expenses wisely will add directly to your bottom line .The expenses that offer the greatest return are fuel and maintenance, as they can be improved by utilizing some of the tools and studies that are readily available.

To lower fuel expenses driving at slower speeds will increase fuel mileage, as well as equipping the tractor and trailer with low rolling resistance tires and installing products that reduce wind resistance. Also ensuring you engine is maximizing the mileage by proper timing and fuel injection to produce a strong clean burn. Soot is unburned fuel that increases cost and reduces mpg.

Lowering maintenance expenses with preventive programs and utilizing the products and tools available that are designed to improve engine performance and increase longevity places you in control of the expenses. One of the best tools is oil sampling and keeping oil clean at all times instead of riding the normal oil quality roller coaster that continually replaces contaminated oil with new oil only to have the contamination cycle start all over again.

Oil sampling not only verifies the quality of the oil but identifies any wear metals or contaminants that indicate the engine is not functioning properly and if the defects are not corrected quickly it is likely that a costly component failure is inevitable. Sampling creates a historical record that if properly reviewed and acted upon will save $$$$$ in the long run and lower the overall maintenance expenses.

Products that remove contaminants from the lubricating oil as part of a maintenance program that includes oil sampling will ensure that oil expenses and engine wear will be under control resulting in lower overall expenses, improving profits and increasing engine longevity.

Take the time to research what products are available, compare initial cost of products, cost of filters, sample kits on a yearly basis etc. to find out which system will work best for your operation. A good place to start is at a Truck Show where the products will all be on display and personnel available to answer your questions. The Mid America Truck Show, March 31 to April 2nd, at The Kentucky Exposition Center Louisville KY is a great place to start. The show has everything you will ever need to run a successful operation and is well worth your time to attend.

I will be at the OPS- Oil Purification booth# 68216 throughout the show. Stop by and I will gladly help you to use your time at the show wisely.