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In This Issue:

• Up Front: Hidden Factors in Lube Selection

• Book Bits: Avoid Mistakes with High-Quality Lubricants

• Today's Tip: Used Filter Inspections

• Q & A: Right Oil For the Right Temperature
  

Up Front

Hidden Factors in Lube Selection

When trying to find a suitable replacement lubricant, be sure you know and understand all the applications where the lubricant is used and test the new lubricant in each application.

When I was comparing the properties of an EP-2 grease against the EP-2 grease currently used at our facility, our procurement department wanted to list the new grease under the same part number as an equivalent.

All of the properties of the new grease were similar to the current grease with the exception of the base oil's viscosity, which was slightly lower. I did not think that the difference in viscosity would be a problem in the application. However, I didn't know that the old grease's part number was listed under seven different applications and I inadvertently approved the new grease for all seven applications.

Fortunately, I identified this error before any damage was done.

Submitted by Mike Schultz, Vehicle Engineer, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Thanks Mike!

Each Up Front story published will earn the sender $50. To submit a case study, experience or lesson learned click here or e-mail info@noria.com.

Book Bits

Avoid Mistakes with High Quality Lubricants

From "Lubrication Fundamentals":

The first steps in obtaining optimum performance from correctly selected, proper quality oils and greases are proper handling, storing, and dispensing. These are necessary for two primary reasons: First - to preserve the integrity of the products; and second - to preserve identification and any precautionary labeling. It is poor practice to buy high quality lubricants and then permit degradation of them through contamination of deterioration; or to run the risk of misapplication because the identification on the containers has become illegible through improper handling, or the products have been transferred to inadequately or improperly marked containers.

Click here for more information about "Lubrication Fundamentals".

Today's Tip

• Always inspect used filters for collapsed center tubes. If found, correct the jammed bypass valve problem before replacing the filter.

Each tip published will earn the sender $25. Click here to submit your tip.

Q & A

Right Oil For the Right Temperature

Here's a great Q & A from our Message Boards.

"Is one viscosity better than another given the outside temperature? Is there a good oil that can be used year-round given extreme temperatures?" - Moose

Moose; Once you get your car warmed up, it pretty much doesn't care what the outside temperature is. Your thermostat is probably set somewhere between 180 - 210°F. It will get there sooner in August than it does in January, but unless you have coolant system problems, it should hold the same operating temperature year-round.

Likewise the internal engine parts - they can run as high as several hundred degrees F depending on how close they are to the combustion chamber. They are going to be that hot year-round.

The difference is start-up. A lower viscosity oil flows better at low temps. This makes the engine crank more easily and allows the oil to get where it needs to be to protect the engine sooner. Unfortunately, it will provide less film strength at normal operating temperatures.

The SAE grades are based on 1940's-era viscosity performance. Viscosity has two aspects - how easily does it flow at a certain temperature (viscosity) and how much does it thin out as the temperature goes up (viscosity index or VI). So the base SAE grades are 10, 20, 30, 40, etc.

Enter multigrades - in the 50's, they started adding things to decrease the rate that the oil thins out (increase the VI). So they expanded the grades - 10W-30 means it gives you the start-up flow of a 10 but the high temp film strength of a 30. Then along came synthetics, some of which have naturally high VI (Viscosity Index) without additives. Now we're starting to see hydrocracked base oils that also have naturally high VIs, not as high as the synthetics, but way above what they were making in the 40's.

If you look at the lube charts in most new car manuals they "recommend" that you use a 5W-30, but show that a 10W-30 is OK as long as the temperature is above 0°F. I live in Illinois, and I use a 10W-30 most of the year. In December sometime I'll go to a 5W-30 just for safety's sake and stay with that grade until mid-March. - Chris

- Our Message Boards are a great place to put in your two cents, read other people's comments, raise questions, and generally learn from one another. Visit them at: http://www.noria.com/message_boards/

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