Motor Oil Info

Hard working diesel engines present a serious challenge to the lubricants that protect them. Tight clearances and intense pressures can generate enough force to tear apart the molecular structure of the oil, causing permanent viscosity loss. Permanent viscosity loss is termed “shear” and leads to accelerated equipment wear, oil consumption and deposit formation.

Shear stability measures lubricant’s ability to withstand shearing forces without degrading to a lower viscosity. To meet CJ-4 requirements for shear stability, the American Petroleum Institute (API) requires diesel oils to pass the Kurt Orbahn 90-Cycle Shear Stability Test.

Resisting shear and maintaining protective viscosity in the harsh operating conditions of diesel engines is challenge enough for many diesel oils, but maintaining viscosity in the face of fuel dilution is another challenge altogether. Factors such as frequent starts, excessive engine idling short trips and cold weather have contributed to moderate levels of fuel dilution in diesel applications for years, while recent issues with emission systems have brought the fuel dilution problem to a whole new level.

Most of us remember to change our oil periodically, but unless you take particularly good care of your vehicles and power equipment, chances are that you neglect the oil filter. While changing your oil is essential to maintaining proper lubrication, oil filters are an integral piece of this puzzle as well. Without a well-maintained filter, deposits can build up and your oil won’t last long.

Oil filters have a longer lifespan than oil, but they should still be changed about once a year. If you change your own oil, chances are that you have the knowledge needed to replace the filter as well. If you have some questions about the process, there are several websites that provided step-by-step instructions. AMSOIL oil filters, filters to 15 microns where others only filter to 30-40 microns, there is a difference.