Yesterday we came across this great article from Fleetguard / Cummins Filtration on maintaining the lube system on your engine.  In today's tough economic environment there is pressure to extend oil drain intervals beyond manufacturers recommendations.  While this may save money in the short run, it can be much more expensive later.  For all your Fleetguard Filter needs, please visit Class8TruckParts.com

Ensuring proper lubrication is critical to maintain the performance and life of the engine. It is essential to use oil and filters that are designed for each specific engine application. Without regular oil changes and filters, the oil becomes saturated with impurities and contaminant particles, preventing it from functioning properly. To ensure your lubrication system is always functioning properly, follow these guidelines:

• Change the oil and filters according to the instructions of the operator manual.
• Verify the oil level daily, or each time you use the engine.
• Conduct regular oil analysis to prevent potential failures. Oil analysis detects wearing down of the engine and verifies the state of the oil.
• It is normal that an engine consumes some amount of oil (but not in excess). Please review the operator manual to know how much it is allowed to consume.

Why I must change the oil and filters?
Engine lubrication is perhaps the most important aspect in a good maintenance program. The engine oil lubricates all moving parts, provides protection against corrosion, absorbs and neutralizes the contaminants, serves as a coolant and is a sealant.
Through regular oil and filter changes, the oil is able to remove contaminants from the engine, translating into a cleaner engine with diminished wear.
Maintenance Benefits
The benefits for a fleet or an organization with focus on maintenance are:

• Diminished risk, preventing the probability of an occurrence of an engine failure
• Improvement of service efficiencies
• Reduction of operating costs
• Prolonged equipment life