Categories: Articles, MechanisationPublished On: 29th June 2020

Total lubricants helps you to look after your engine

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Engine oils are used to reduce friction and wear by separating moving surfaces inside your engine. They also cool the engine as it circulates the hot oil away and introduces cooler oil to lubricate the surfaces.

Furthermore, engine oil cleans the engine by removing dirt and debris from the system, keeping it away from your internal engine surfaces. Debris and dirt are captured in your oil filter, which is why this needs to be replaced routinely.

When looking at the different oils on the market, you will notice many different viscosities. Viscosity is a measure of the resistance to flow of liquids, which means the higher the viscosity, the thicker the oil. Thinner oil therefore flows much faster than thicker oils. The thickness of oil can be seen in SAE numbers e.g. SAE 30, SAE 15W-40.

Multi-grade oils (such as a 15W-40) offer additional protection during the start up of your engine, which a monograde oil (such as SAE 40) does not do adequately. Therefore, using multi-grade oils is known to extend engine component lifetime.

TOTAL Tractagri HDX 15W-40 is formulated to provide additional protection for the engines of agricultural equipment which is often exposed to different conditions than on-road engines, such as idling or heavy loads.

Why drain intervals should be respected and what happens when equipment stands for long durations and is unused?

Oil drain Intervals are determined by engine manufacturers (Original Equipment Manufacturer also known as OEMs) and are measured by distance (kilometers) and / or duration (hours operated). All oils will have a lifetime of use, but over time, heat and air oxidizes the oil until it is no longer fit for use and this will start to affect engine performance.

The main function of oils is to reduce friction and this will not be achieved when the oil properties are changed following excessive oxidation. If the old oil is not changed, the engine will become inefficient and end up being compromised.

Maintaining cleanliness, which affects engine life

It is recommended that you always maintain cleanliness when handling oil. To extend the life of your equipment, we recommend you implement the following good practices:

  • Products should preferably be stored indoors or under a roof to protect the integrity of the product.
  • Ensure your engine oil is properly sealed after use.
  • Maintain your service history in an easily accessible format, especially when you have multiple pieces of equipment.
  • Regularly check your engine oil level, especially if equipment has been standing for a while.
  • Service your equipment in a dust-free area. Avoid working outside.
  • Consider draining oil of your equipment that has been standing for a very long time and refilling with fresh oil. Check with the OEM what service intervals are recommended.
  • Maintain a clean workshop and ensure that the dispensing of oil is done in a clean and dry area away from dust.
  • Do not use dispensing equipment that is dirty or contaminated with other fluids.

What are the functions of engine coolants?

The main function of a coolant is to cool the engine parts that are exposed to heat from the combustion of fuel. Water is one component of a coolant because of its inherently good property of being able to carry large quantities of heat. However, water can freeze during winter and boil at high temperatures in summer. To combat these complexities, we recommend using a mixture of anti-freeze and water. This is commonly referred to as a coolant.

A good coolant contains anti-corrosion inhibitors that protect metal surfaces from the water component of the ready-mix. These protection additives are what determine the coolant’s lifetime. Better formulated coolants can last much longer, and therefore require less replacements which results in you saving time, money and the effort of replacing the product.

There are two different types of coolants available for use:

  • Concentrates (anti-freeze to which you will have to add water) such as TOTAL GLACELF AUTO SUPRA.
  • Ready-mix or pre-mix, which already contains the water such as TOTAL COOLELF AUTO SUPRA -37°C. Ready-mix can be used as is and is preferred by most users as the correct ratio is already applied between water and anti-freeze. This makes it easier to use. Additionally, TOTAL’s ready-mix also contains the right quality of water. Keep in mind that “hard” water is known to affect certain coolant performance negatively.

COOLELF AUTO SUPRA -37°C is a ready-mix, product with a long-life additive protection system designed to ensure extended lifetime compared to conventional technologies.

For further information on TOTAL’s lubricants, we encourage you to visit their Online Product Catalogue (catalog.total.co.za) to learn more about the different lubricants products they produce. Or send them an email at lubricants-technical@total.co.za or go to www.total.co.za

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