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Wednesday 24 July 2013

Sensors can extend engine oil change intervals.

Modern generation sensors can extend engine oil change intervals significantly.

Before deciding whether sensors can extend engine oil change intervals we need to understand why engine oil degrades in the first place. We must also remember that diesel engine oil has a far greater degradation burden to bear, so oil change intervals tend to be shorter.

Typically, prescribed engine oil change intervals are 15,000Km for petrol engines and 10,000 (In some cases even 5,000Km) for
diesel engines.

These conditions reduce engine oil change intervals.

  • Diesel Engines - Diesels produce more soot and acidic blow-by products. 
  • Flex Fuels - Alcohol-gasoline blends are prone to accumulate water in the crankcase. 
  • Turbo-charged Engines - High temperatures distress the base oil and additives. 
  • Short-trip Driving – Trips under 10km don’t give the engine to properly warm up. Water and fuel have a tendency to accumulate in the crankcase when the oil temperature doesn’t reach the thermostat setting. 
  • Road Dust - Driving in dusty conditions (dirt/gravel roads) with a normal oil filter will generate more wear metals which increase the risk of sludge formation and corrosion from acids. 
  • High-Mileage Engine - Engines with more than 100,000 Km generate more blow-by gases, unburnt fuel and corrosive agents that enter the crankcase oil. 
  • High Oil Consumption - While on one hand high oil consumption replenishes additives, on the other hand the affliction is also associated with high blow-by of combustion gases into the crankcase. 
  • Hot Running Conditions - Hot running conditions, including can lead to premature oil oxidation, volatility problems and rapid additive depletion. 
  • Towing/Heavy Loads - Generally relates to hot running conditions, thin oil films, higher shearing of viscosity index improvers and more wear metals in the oil.

Factors that extend engine oil change intervals.

  • Synthetic Lubricants - Quality synthetic lubricants have excellent oxidation stability, thermal stability and shear stability. 
  • High Efficiency Oil Filter - Controls catalytic wear metal production. 
  • Open road operation - Lower average engine revolutions and fewer operating hours per distance traveled compared to slow-speed urban driving. 
  • New Engines - Low levels of engine blow-by. 
  • Motor oil Sensors can extend engine oil change intervals

These Sensors can extend engine oil change intervals.

The General Motors (GM) Oil-Life System, first introduced sensors to extend engine oil change intervals in the 1998 Oldsmobiles. The technology does not actually monitor any single quality or physical property of the oil. Instead, the Oil-Life System monitors engine revolutions, operating temperature, and other factors that affect the length of oil change intervals.

 DaimlerChrysler’s version of the oil monitor is called ASSYST in Europe and the Flexible Service System (FSS) in the United States. From research on oil quality through the span of an engine’s life, Daimler discovered that the breakdown in oil is determined by such factors as driving habits (frequent short trips vs. long trips), driving speed and failure to replenish low oil levels. Therefore, the FSS monitors time between oil changes, vehicle speed, coolant temperature, load signal, engine rpm, engine oil temperature and engine oil level.

Daimler also discovered that oil degradation is directly correlated to the ability to conduct electric current. Therefore, Daimler has fitted V-6 and V-8 engines with digital oil quality dielectric sensors to extend engine oil change intervals. These sensors measures changes in capacitance, which are effectively proxies for the amount and type of contaminants and oil degradation products present in the oil. An increase in dielectric constant (less resistance to electrical flow) indicates engine oil contamination and degradation.

There are several other systems available on the market. But whether using sensors to extend engine oil change intervals or sticking to the age-old 10 and 15,000km oil change intervals, there’s no doubt that you’ll benefit from Habot Synthetic Lubricants.

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