Benefits of synthetic drivetrain lubricants praised in Light & Medium Truck magazine.
AMSOIL introduced the first synthetic motor oil for internal combustion engines in 1972. Although synthetic lubricants were a tough sell in the beginning, their acceptance has slowly, but steadily grown through the years. Today, the extraordinary benefits of synthetic lubricants are widely accepted. A February 2004 article in Light & Medium Truck magazine, a publication geared toward commercial fleet operators, touts the valuable benefits of running synthetic lubricants in drivetrain components.
According to author Seth Skydel, "In light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, in fact, non-petroleum-based products are now widely accepted for their ability to help ensure optimal performance and long component service life."
"The oil temperature found in a synthetic-lubricated axle is frequently lower," says Bruce McGlone, ArvinMeritor senior chemist, materials engineering. "Synthetics will not oxidize or degrade as rapidly as classic petroleum-based oils because they handle heat better. The temperature benefits of synthetic lubricants are well proven."
Although synthetic lubricants have a higher initial cost than conventional lubricants, they save fleet managers money in the long run. "Compared with petroleum-based oils, synthetic-based oils last longer in a vehicle's drivetrain," explains McGlone. "A lower temperature causes a synthetic lubricant's heat-activated EP additives to last longer before they are depleted."
Of course, synthetic lubricants exhibit superior performance benefits in cold temperatures as well, easing cold temperature starting and significantly reducing wear. "It all adds up to better wear [protection] on components and longer drain intervals for synthetic lubricants compared to petroleum-based oils," says McGlone.
Because synthetic lubricants effectively extend equipment life and allow extended drain intervals, fleet managers who use synthetics can often be found singing their praises. "Factory-filled synthetic lubricants have allowed manufacturers to eliminate initial drain requirements and extend change intervals significantly," says Dan Pesce, Roadranger fleet service manager. "In medium-duty applications, a synthetic gear lubricant could conceivably last the service life of the vehicle. For example, we've seen a significant reduction in transmission synchronizer wear with synthetics.
"Perhaps as important," continues Pesce, "synthetics handle heat much better than petroleum-based oils that break down with higher temperatures. Heat was not as much of a factor on medium-duty vehicles in the past, but with improved aerodynamics there's less air flow past drivetrain components causing an increase in heat, especially on rear axles."
Illustrating the increased acceptance of synthetic lubricants, Eaton and Dana now recommend their use, and synthetics are required to take advantage of some extended warranty plans for medium- and heavy-duty components.
"Synthetics are more expensive, in some cases double the cost of petroleum-based oils," says Pesce. "But with much longer drain intervals the higher price is offset by eliminating oil, labor and disposal costs. The equation is different for each operation and application, but reduced maintenance costs and longer component life can easily justify the higher expense. The benefit is clearly there."
Allison Transmission has also recognized the performance and cost benefits of synthetic drivetrain lubricants, offering TranSynd synthetic automatic transmission fluid that extends drain intervals up to 400 percent. According to Allison, "The oil's viscosity stability and resistance to thermal breakdown protect the transmission far better and far longer, and the lubricant is highly resistant to oxidation, minimizing chances for sludge and varnish deposits."
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