Fleetowner 38429 Truck Large Cenex Shifting Gears
Fleetowner 38429 Truck Large Cenex Shifting Gears
Fleetowner 38429 Truck Large Cenex Shifting Gears
Fleetowner 38429 Truck Large Cenex Shifting Gears
Fleetowner 38429 Truck Large Cenex Shifting Gears

What makes oil break down between drain intervals?

June 24, 2019
Over time, engine oils break down inside equipment. Toward the end of a drain interval, a lower-quality oil may drastically lose its ability to prevent wear.

At hundreds of dollars a pop, engine oil changes can add up to a major expense. It’s no wonder many fleet owners are looking for ways to extend their oil drains and keep their fleets in service longer.

Messing around with drain intervals, though, can be dangerous. Fleet owners who try extending drain intervals risk voiding their OEM warranties. And even if you’re changing your oil at the intervals recommended by your OEM, it doesn’t guarantee your engine’s protected.

Over time, engine oils break down inside equipment. Toward the end of a drain interval, a lower-quality oil may drastically lose its ability to prevent wear. So what causes this breakdown to happen, and how can you ensure your equipment is protected?

Understanding the oil breakdown culprit

Fluid breakdown occurs as the oil moves through the engine. The constant heat, intense pressure and stress that is put on oil causes it to lose important chemical ingredients that are added to protect your engine. One of these important ingredients is the viscosity modifier. A critical component of every engine oil, the viscosity modifier prevents the fluid from thinning in the extreme heat generated by the engine.

The trouble is, under the intense heat and pressure inside an engine, traditional viscosity modifiers break down over time. This is because the molecules that compose them are arranged in a linear coil shape, which is prone to breaking as oil is squeezed between moving parts.

This deterioration of the viscosity modifier and the oil is referred to as shearing. Shearing can be a major issue for your machinery because if an oil isn’t running at its specified viscosity, critical engine parts will be left without the protective layer of a lubricant. And when that happens, wear and corrosion can literally grind your operation to a halt.

Fighting oil breakdown with new technology

By understanding shearing and viscosity loss, it becomes clear why a standard engine oil may not protect your equipment as well as you think it does toward the end of your drain interval.

To keep your engine protected through the entire length of its OEM-recommended drain interval, it’s important to use an engine oil with strong shear resistance and viscosity control. Cenex Maxtron Enviro-Edge and Maxtron DEO synthetic heavy-duty diesel engine oils now fight shearing and viscosity loss better than ever, thanks to a new industry-leading viscosity modifier called EnduroVis.

The power of EnduroVis comes from its unique star shape. Unlike a traditional linear coil-shaped viscosity modifier, EnduroVis’ radial form keeps the product intact as it moves through the engine. Enhanced with EnduroVis, Maxtron Enviro-Edge and Maxtron DEO are up to seven times more shear stable than a traditional linear coil-shaped viscosity modifier — even under severe engine stress and heavy loads.

Your equipment works hard, so you need a lubricant that works equally as hard — no matter what stage of your drain interval you’re at. To protect your fleet with EnduroVis, find Maxtron Enviro-EDGE or Maxtron DEO at your local Cenex lubricants dealer.

About the Author

Mimi Falkman | Senior Marketing Specialist

Mimi is passionate about premium-quality lubricants and educating people on the importance of using them in their operations. When she isn’t busy helping equipment owners learn about Cenex lubricants, Mimi is an active dog parent to two rescue dogs with her fiancé. Mimi has an extensive background in a variety of different industries. From experiential marketing to digital campaigns, Mimi uses a holistic approach to help illustrate all the ways equipment owners can benefit from premium-quality lubricants.

Sponsored Recommendations

Tackling the Tech Shortage: Lessons in Recruiting Talent and Reducing Turnover

Discover innovative strategies for recruiting and retaining tech talent in the trucking industry at our April 16th webinar, where experts will share insights on competitive pay...

Stop Sweating Temperature Excursions

Advanced chemical indicators give you the peace of mind that comes from reliable insights into your supply chains. Compromised shipments can be identified the moment they arrive...

Stop Sweating Temperature Excursions

Advanced chemical indicators give you the peace of mind that comes from reliable insights into your supply chains. Compromised shipments can be identified the moment they arrive...

How Electric Vehicles Help You Prolong the Life of Your Fleet

Before adopting electric vehicles for commercial/government fleets, prioritize cost inquiries. Maintenance is essential; understand the upkeep of EV fleets. Here’s what you need...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!