your engine The recommended oil drain intervals for Cat® engines are determined through extensive testing in the laboratory and at actual job sites. However, these recommended intervals cannot take into account your specific operating conditions or other factors that may require a different oil change interval. Maintaining your engine oil is a very important factor in maximizing the productive life of Cat engines. It begins when you demand the higher standard of protection available from Cat engine oil and filters and continues as you work with us to optimize the effective life of the oil. The Caterpillar S·O·SSM Services program helps you understand the factors affecting your engine oil, so you can better manage the life cycles of your engines and reduce costs. S·O·S Services provide a maintenance management tool that evaluates oil deterioration and detects the early signs of abnormal wear on engine components. S·O·S Services accomplish this through a comprehensive set of tests that are specially designed for evaluating diesel engine oils. Determining Optimal Oil Change Intervals
Work with our experts
We will work with you to optimize the oil change intervals for your Cat engines. Keep in mind, the process of determining new oil change intervals is not simple. It requires that you work closely with your dealer over a period of several months. Once new intervals are estab- lished, it will be more important than ever to carefully monitor oil performance and engine wear. Use S·O·S Services for both oil and cool- ant analysis, to make sure there are not any problems.
Extend oil drain intervals
We suggest you proceed beyond the manufacturer’s recommended oil change interval cautiously. First, select a target oil drain interval that is realistic and fits your maintenance schedule. A reasonable target is 1.5 times your current oil drain. Extend to the target interval in 100 hour increments. Sample every 100 hours, analyze the results, and plot the trends. If oil sample results remain acceptable, proceed toward the target oil drain. Repeat this process for at least two oil drains at the target oil drain interval.
Four types of oil samples
There are four categories of oil samples involved in evaluating an oil change interval:
• Samples of new oil
A sample of new oil is needed as a test reference to the used oil. The new oil must be the exact same oil as the used oil being tested. Any time a new shipment of oil is received, a best practice is to take a sample to monitor the characteristics and cleanliness.
• Baseline samples After changing the oil and filter, run the engine until it reaches operating temperature (about 15 minutes) and take a sample. This determines wear metal carryover from any oil left in the pan from the previous interval. It also reveals if any external contaminants were introduced through the oil fill process. During the evaluation period, take a baseline sample after every oil change.
• Samples at intermediate intervals
Taking samples at less than the recommended oil change interval is essential to monitoring the oil degradation process. This will allow you to determine a trend line for wear accumulation and any external contamination entry. Proceed with Caution • Samples at oil change We suggest that when evaluating engines with Test results from the samples taken at the time of each oil a 500-hour recommended oil change that you change will indicate the final levels of oil degradation and wear accumulation. These results, along with the intermediate interval move forward cautiously. Some applications sample results will be evaluated to establish the optimal oil change and conditions may allow for oil drain interval interval for your engine. Once the optimal interval has been extensions, but some extreme applications established, submit a sample at each oil change, and a sample at and conditions may require more frequent oil one half the oil change. changes.
2 Consider These Factors When Evaluating Your Oil Condition:
Everything that could have an impact on oil condition must be held constant during the evaluation period. The following list of parameters must be under control for an effective evaluation:
• Service intervals Your maintenance system must be capable of maintaining a plus or minus 10% margin on oil changes. Also, additional oil samples must be taken during the evaluation period. Maintenance personnel must be available to take these samples in a timely manner.
• Filters To minimize risk and provide the best filtration, use genuine Cat oil filters, fuel filters, and air filters. Change the oil and fuel filters at the recommended intervals. Change air filters as required by the air restrictor indicator. Always use Cat filters to guarantee the highest quality filter available.
• Engine oil Cat DEO-ULS™(Diesel Engine Oil-Ultra Low Sulfur) is recommended for optimized oil drain programs. Cat DEO-ULS exceeds the requirements of the latest Caterpillar ECF (Engine Crankcase Fluid) specification and the latest American Petroleum Institute (API) category. Cat DEO-ULS contains the best additive package and base oil stock to help you achieve longer oil use and maximum engine life.
• Cooling system maintenance
Inadequate cooling system maintenance can eventually lead to system problems or even engine failure. Initially submit coolant samples for S·O·S Level 2 Coolant Analysis to assure the cooling systems on all test units are optimal. Continue using S·O·S Level 1 Coolant Analysis at each oil change. Verify that radiators are clean of debris both internally and externally. Maintain proper coolant levels and coolant conditioner levels.
• Engine Maintenance Keep engines running according to specifications. Check boost, fuel settings, air/fuel ratio control and transmission shift points. Poorly tuned engines can lead to malfunctions or adversely affect operating temperatures, fuel consumption or other parameters contributing to premature engine failure.
• Selection of test engines
Include engines with relatively low total operating hours. Provide Complete Sample Information Engines with higher hours may have different wear rates and oil consumption rates than newer engines. Recently overhauled engines are also good candidates for oil drain interval optimization. Be sure to correctly and completely fill out the S·O·S sample bottle label. The information • Operating practices is crucial to insure accurate interpretation Operating techniques impact how an oil responds and holds up in your application. Excessive lugging, excessive idling and full throttle of the data. It is essential to include the total on/off will all effect sooting and oxidation of oil. The same load hours on the engine and oil, and the quantity should be applied in the same operating and climatic conditions. of make up oil added since the last oil change. Optimizing Oil Change Intervals
The oil change interval balance
As with most business decisions, establishing an engine oil change interval beyond the manufacturer’s recommendation has both risks and rewards. Perhaps the biggest potential reward is increased availability due to less maintenance downtime. But this increased availability can be quickly eroded if extended oil drains are causing premature wear and repair downtime. Extending oil change intervals without a carefully planned and executed program is gambling with the life of your engines-and your cost of operations. Call your Cat Dealer today for more information.
Rewards Risks
Increased Availability and Productivity Decreased Availability and Productivity
Decreased Oil and Filter Costs Decreased Engine Life Decreased Maintenance/Labor Costs Increased Repair Downtime Decreased Disposal Costs Increased Repair Costs
At some oil change interval, there is reasonable balance.
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