10W-40 Mid SAPS lubricants consume more oil than a 15W-40 CI-4; a lubricant can be stored forever; you can only top up with the same brand of oil; you can store oil outside during winter without thinking. These are popular assumptions, but they’re actually myths – learn why in this article.
Consumption of oil, whether it is with a 10W-40 or a 15W-40, is always present when high temperatures are at stake. Wolf is continuously testing the loss by an evaporation test to monitor the quality on this particular item. The results show that this loss is way under the maximum values allowed. Moreover, for a 10W-40 Mid SAPS (WOLF OFFICIALTECH 10W40 ULTRA MS) this loss is even lower than for a 15W-40 (WOLF VITALTECH 15W40).
Next to this evaporation loss there is a second reason for this oil consumption. OEMs have to comply with the most recent EURO-norms for emissions. In order to reach these targets, they have to create engines with less friction, meaning less fuel consumption and lower emissions. Lubricant manufacturers therefore have to produce lubricants with a lower viscosity for these engines. These lower viscosity oils enter the combustion chamber much quicker and, as a consequence, more oil is burnt.
Nevertheless, the higher oil consumption of a 10W-40 Mid SAPS is negligible in comparison with the fuel economy advantage this oil offers. Under normal driving conditions this fuel economy can go up to 1%. It becomes even more interesting when we compare a 15W-40 Heavy Duty oil with a 5W-30 one. Road tests, executed by one of our major clients HD fleet-owner, have shown a fuel economy of up to 4%.
The shelf life represents the time period during which a stored product can be used without a loss in quality and performance levels. The mentioned shelf life for a product applies to lubricants that are stored in their original, sealed containers, under proper conditions and at normal ambient temperature.
We have to make the difference between ‘Normal’ and ‘Short’ shelf life:
In general, the recommended shelf life for oils and greases is typically three years when stored properly in the original sealed containers.
For formulations sensitive to moisture, like brake fluids, the recommended shelf life is one year for storage of sealed containers.
At the end of the shelf life period, Wolf recommends laboratory testing to ensure that the product will continue to provide the promised performance in the intended application.
Shelf life is a key consideration in proper inventory-management practices for packaged lubricating oils and greases, to ensure that they will be suitable for use when needed.
Specifications are key, preferably with an official approval of the Original Equipment Manufacturer. All Wolf lubricants are manufactured following the correct formula, both base oils and additives, prescribed by the additive supplier in order to comply with the specification needed.
Whether used for top-up or oil change, the Wolf products can always replace another brand and, in some cases, our products are even of better quality due to the fact that we only use first quality base oils.
Pour point is an important performance characteristic when equipment is subjected to cold operating temperatures. Oils with lower pour points have a greater ability to remain fluid at cold operating temperatures. When an oil is used at a temperature below its pour point, it may congeal, making it difficult or impossible to get equipment started and hindering oil circulation on start-up. The pour point is an important indicator marking the ability of an oil to flow at cold engine operating temperatures. It is the lowest temperature at which the fluid will flow when cooled under prescribed conditions.
However, we need to distinguish between bulk and barrel storage.
As far as barrel storage is concerned, lubricants should always be stored in a clean, covered place inside at ambient temperature. Storage outside can cause infiltration of water or induce condensation when warming up again in the barrel. Once opened, a barrel should never be stored outside.
Bulk storage can be done outside above ground level, preferably in a double-sided storage tank. A roof over the tank is ideal.
In short:
