Oil 101: Heavy Duty and Industrial Oil

So far, we’ve covered not only the basics of oil but also a little bit of chemistry, some controversy, and some specific applications, too. If this doesn’t sound familiar go check out our Propel Oil 101 series from the beginning. Heavy-duty trucks and equipment require heavy-duty oil, and basic passenger car oil just won’t cut it. This time around, we are going to focus specifically on oil designed for heavy-duty vehicles and equipment, and along the way, we’ll answer some of those burning questions you have about HD oils. Welcome back to Propel Oil 101!

Understanding Heavy-Duty Vehicles and Engine Oils

Now, Heavy-Duty Vehicles operate much differently than your average passenger car. This is due to their massive and complex engines, which, to no one’s surprise, means they require carefully formulated oil that can hold up to the demands of an HD engine. Any vehicle that weighs more than 8,500lbs is considered ‘Heavy Duty’, and for the sake of comparison, the average passenger car only weighs about 4,000lbs. That’s a lot of weight rolling down the road! This means the oil pumping through these larger engines has to be able to withstand higher pressures and high heat, all while ensuring environmental restrictions are met.

Oil 101: Heavy Duty and Industrial Oil | Gear Up With Gregg's Blog

In our previous video on passenger vehicle oil, we explained how the significant advances made in the last decade or so have resulted in oil change intervals being increased to as much as 120,000 km, compared to around once every 16,000 km in older vehicles. Similarly, modern diesel and industrial engines have been designed to be more efficient and longer-lasting than in previous generations. They have tighter clearances and closer tolerances, and tend to run much hotter than standard engines. This is why HD engine oils need to be more resistant to oxidation, shear, and aeration. This holds especially true for industrial equipment, such as machining tools, as they operate long hours in hot and sometimes dusty conditions.

Propel’s Selection of Heavy-Duty Oils

We know your industrial machining tools and HD diesel engines need an oil they can depend on to keep them running smoothly. That is why we’ve developed Propel’s selection of heavy-duty diesel engines and industrial oils to best suit your HD oil needs.

Conventional Diesel Motor Oils

First is Propel’s conventional diesel motor oil. This oil is available as an SAE 15W40. It comes in traditional package sizes but is also available as a Bag in Box option, and for high-volume users, it is even available in a 1,000-litre reusable tote!

This oil has been designed for use in a wide range of HD applications and operating environments, and is suitable for both on and off-highway applications. This motor oil has been approved for use where the original equipment manufacturer specifies API CK-4 oil and is also backward compatible with diesel engines with API CJ-4, CI-4, CI-Plus, and CH-4 recommended service categories. This conventional oil has the benefit of not breaking the bank, yet from a performance standpoint, it has specs that in many cases surpass many semi-synthetic products in the market. This conventional formula boasts an impressive -39-degree Celsius pour point, making it an ideal product for our Canadian climate.

Semi-Synthetic Diesel Motor Oils

Next, we have Propel’s semi-synthetic diesel motor oil. As is true with many semi-synthetic oils, this one provides extra protection and performance over and above conventional oils. In comparison to competing products, this oil stands up to high heat, cold temperature starts, and high stress. It also delivers up to 83% better oxidation control and 63% better deposit control. This SAE 10W30 oil meets or exceeds the requirements of OEMs and has excellent extended drain capabilities. Not to mention, Propel’s semi-synthetic diesel motor oil is backward compatible for CJ-4 and older API service categories.

Straight-Weight Diesel Motor Oils

Next, we have Propel’s straight-weight diesel motor oils. Now this motor oil is primarily for older diesel engines, like that old combine that somehow only needs repairs when you’re out in the far corner of the field. On or off-highway machinery equipment, marine equipment, and some commercial fleets will need this type of oil if their engines are from a particular generation that calls for a classic straight weight lubricant. This oil has been formulated to provide unsurpassed protection, high heat resistance, shearing protection, and protection against metal-to-metal contact. It’s available in SAE 30 or SAE 40, and comes in 18.92L pails. We’re 100% sure this oil will help keep your older equipment chugging along better than any straight-weight lubricant out there.

Full Synthetic Diesel Motor Oils

Finally, for HD diesel engine oils, we have Propel’s full synthetic diesel motor oil. This engine oil meets or exceeds the requirements of OEMs and lives up to the demands of current API designations. In each bottle of Propel’s full synthetic diesel motor oil, you’ll be getting some of the highest levels of protection and performance. This oil boasts some of the best cold-temperature performance ratings you can find, with the 5W40 formula delivering a -45-degree Celsius pour point, and the 0W40 formula delivering a -51-degree Celsius pour point. Now that’s cold! To top it all off, our full-synthetic diesel motor oils deliver greater horsepower and fuel economy! They are formulated to effectively balance durability, drain intervals, and protect emission control devices. Overall, our fully synthetic motor oil will almost always be the best option for your engine, so give it a try and see for yourself why we are so proud of this product.

As passenger car motor oils continue to move towards lower weight, fully synthetic lubricants, this shift will likely be mirrored in HD applications as well. More emphasis is being placed on fuel efficiency and emissions controls, which will continue to drive advancements in diesel engine technology. As we move into the future with rapidly evolving mechanical developments, Propel is committed to continuous innovation so that we can bring the most advanced diesel engine oils to the market.

Next time on Propel Oil 101, we are going to cover what gear oil is and how it’s different from motor oil. If you’ve liked what you’ve learned so far, why not subscribe to our YouTube channel? You can find the video that goes along with this blog on there! If you have any questions, you can give us a call! See you in our next Propel Oil 101 blog!