Are you doing everything you can to achieve lubrication excellence with your fleet?
Making necessary adjustments in your current processes can help optimize your operation.
For fleet owners and operators, fuel is the second highest cost; on average, as much as 38% of total fleet operating costs. So, taking steps to reducing fuel consumption of trucks by improving fuel economy is not only good for the bottom line, but also a contributor to tackling emissions.
We have compiled 5 important tips to help optimize your fleet’s efficiency:
Tip 1. Choose the right lubricants
The primary role of the lubricants is to keep adjacent components apart so as to prevent wear and allow the truck to keep on trucking. And when the combined impact of engine, gearbox and axle effects are considered together, they can have an impact on fuel bills. However, many commercial fleets underestimate the influence of lubrication on these impacts. In a study by Shell, only a third understand how lubricants can help improve fuel efficiency, while only one in two owners/operators realize that different brands of lubricants deliver different levels of performance. So, not only do lubricants matter, but choosing the right lubricants matters most.
Tip 2. Schedule auditing
Regular monitoring as a part of one or more people’s role is vital but regular auditing of site health and processes is also
critical to achieving lubricant excellence. This helps identify issues that have been missed or have grown so incrementally as
to not be noticed on a day-to-day level. Predictive maintenance can help sort any issues before they surface and prevent
machine downtime.
Tip 3. Learn through data
Being able to analyze data shown from a range of monitoring and routine fleet assessments helps organizations identify patterns, particularly if data is collected from more than one site. Data is essential as a preventative action tool and learnings from issues on one site or equipment set can be used to improve the operation as a whole.
Tip 4. Break habits
Having gone through a process of developing a monitoring and management strategy, it is easy to leave it how it is. But
fleets and lubricants continue to evolve and will need the way customers approach them to change. Adopt a process
of constant review to make sure that your procedures are still relevant and you always achieve lubrication excellence.
Tip 5. Assess viscosity
The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) data shows that lower viscosity engine oils are one of the top three most widely adopted fuel saving techniques of leading U.S. fleet companies. This simple, controllable and not-so-secret switch can keep your fleet competitive.
At Breaux Petroleum, we are committed to equipping you with the knowledge and resources you need to increase business value and power your fleets efficiently. By investing in the right lubricant solutions – paired with our service offerings – your company can enhance its operations, increase productivity, and maintain a competitive edge in the transport industry. Learn more about our transport offerings here. Ready to get started with lubricant solutions tailored to your fleet? Contact us today at 800.375.3358 or sales@breauxpetroleum.com.