Fuel economy can be a serious consideration if you're overseeing an entire fleet of trucks or construction equipment. Low fuel economy means that your vehicles will need to fuel up more often; that will cost you more money. To improve fuel economy, low viscosity engine oils are essential. Low viscosity oils aren't as thick as other oils; they flow more easily and enable higher fuel economy as a result. However, if you are switching over to engine oils with low viscosity, it's vital that you consider these details:

Check with OEM

Before changing over to different engine oils, it's smart to check with the original equipment manufacturer or OEM. The manufacturer understands which oils are best and which are problematic for the engines they make; if you're hoping to change over to different oils, they can offer suitable advice. For example, they will know if certain vehicles will show a "low pressure" warning while running at low RPMs, only due to a viscosity change.

It's also important to consult the OEM due to existing warranties. Be sure that you're not putting the warranties at risk when you change the oils you plan to use throughout your fleet.

Consider Lubricants

Lubricants reduce friction. If you're hoping to move our fleet over to lower viscosity oils, it's worth considering whether the lubricants need to change as well. Consider whether you could use higher quality lubricants so that your oils aren't handicapped by ineffective lubrication in other parts of the vehicle. With low friction from new oils and even lower friction due to high-quality lubricants, your fleet may function better than you ever expected.

Run a Test

While you might think that all the trucks or vehicles can benefit from low viscosity oils, it's smart to run a test of just a few vehicles to be sure. Choose a few vehicles and in a few weeks, compare their performance with the rest of your fleet. If you don't see a marked difference, it may be time to evaluate other options for fuel economy. 

You might choose to do your testing in colder months. That's because lower viscosity fluids should enable your engines to be coated quickly even in low temperatures, which can enable the vehicles to start and warm up with less lag time than if you're using standard oils. The performance overall and difference between your test group and the rest of your fleet should be more noticeable. 

Your fleet can transition to low viscosity engine oils with the tips above. Talk with favorite local mechanics and other construction equipment experts for more detailed information. Contact a company like Small & Sons Oil Dist Co for more information and assistance. 

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