How to increase engine life in a truck?

A truck engine must be so constructed that its operation and maintenance is as cheap as possible, and technical inspections are rare. This is due to the assumption that this type of vehicle must drive and earn as much as possible. For this reason, the durability of such an engine is much longer than its counterpart in modern passenger cars, where serious failures occur after driving nearly 150,000 km. These differences can be seen primarily in the construction and materials used. For example, a truck timing drive typically consists of gears rather than a belt or chain. Due to the enormous forces generated during the operation of large engines, their crankshafts are forged. All engine components in a truck, such as pistons, bushings, connecting rods and the block itself, are made of more durable materials. The engine heads are often split, especially in multi-cylinder engines with large cylinder diameters. This is of course the case with diesel engines, which continue to be the dominant unit type in trucks despite the development of electric trucks. The reason for this is their greater range and incomparably shorter time that the driver has to spend on refueling.

Even the best thought-out engine will not run the assumed number of kilometers if it works with the use of fluids of questionable quality. From the point of view of engine life, the most mistakes can be made in the case of fuel and engine oil. In terms of fuel, we are talking about the popularly known as "baptized" fuel, which has too high a content of heavy or light fractions, sulphation or dilution. In order to avoid refueling with such fuel, and thus exposing the engine to damage, only reputable filling stations should be selected, which is much easier with the network. The so-called refining fuels, containing special anti-wear and cleaning additives. The refined diesel fuel has packages of additives that cleanse the engine of accumulated sediment, prevent the formation of new deposits and help keep the fuel system in good condition.

“On the example of the new generation of  Excellium Diesel fuels, the improvement in the amount of pollutants is up to 93% compared to" regular "diesel oil. A clean engine therefore uses less fuel, because the process of its atomization in the combustion chamber is more precise. In the case of Common Rail systems, where fuel injection is carried out in multiple phases, this is particularly important. More thorough combustion also contributes to lower environmental pollution and meeting the latest exhaust gas purity standards. The operation of the conditioners removes accumulated sediments from the intake system, injectors and the piston-cylinder system, which contributes to extending the life of the engine and reducing its operating costs” - explains Robert Sadowski, TotalEnergies Marketing Polska.

The second most important liquid that has the greatest impact on the service life of a truck engine will be oil. Synthetic or semi-synthetic oils are recommended in the latest trucks. In addition to the manufacturers' recommendations, the oil change interval depends on two aspects - the driver's driving style and operating conditions. If someone only drives around the city, covering short distances during which the engine cannot warm up sufficiently, these are difficult conditions for any oil. In this case, we absolutely should replace it earlier. Similarly, if someone drives mostly on routes, without overloading the car and in a situation where the engine has a chance to warm up - we can postpone this decision a bit.

However, it cannot be denied that oils in trucks usually do not have an easy life and these vehicles cover long distances. The need to lubricate and cool the engine, which "pulls", for example, a 30-tonne tractor and semi-trailer combination, means that we cannot rely on half measures in terms of quality. On the other hand, we have fleet servicing costs, where significant savings can be made over a distance of several hundred thousand kilometers. One of the leading lines of engine oils on the market that meets these needs are Rubia Tir oils with Pro-Efficient technology. These oils have been approved by nearly 200 truck manufacturers. Tests using Rubia Tir 9200 FE 5W-30 showed up to 81% less mechanical wear on the engine compared to the ACEA E4 industry limits. *

“Thanks to the Pro-Efficient technology, Rubia Tir products create a strong protective layer on metal surfaces. They avoid direct contact between the moving parts of the engine, thus minimizing mechanical wear. Pro-Efficient Technology helps to keep the oil film intact, even under extreme conditions, thanks to the appropriate combination of extremely resistant anti-wear particles and viscosity modifiers, which has a positive effect on engine life. The properties of Rubia Tir oils also allow for extending the intervals between oil changes, which reduces the costs of servicing the fleet” - adds Robert Sadowski.

TotalEnergies is a broad energy company that produces and markets energies on a global scale: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our 105,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, clean, reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.

About TotalEnergies Marketing Polska

TotalEnergies Marketing Polska has operated in Poland since 1992 and has an established position in the engine oil market. It offers products of two recognised brands, TotalEnergies and Elf. The company has also been rapidly developing the sale of asphalts and has been present on the market of industrial special fluids since 2008. In 2010, TotalEnergies Marketing Polska started imports and wholesale of fuels. In December 2014, the company launched its first petrol stations in Poland, thus entering the retail market. www.totalenergies.pl

Bartosz Cyran | bartosz.cyran@proautomotive.pl | +48 662 454 679

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