Lubricant solutions from Lucas Oil
Lucas Oil Products (UK) has highlighted the role additives can play in helping to address some vehicle running issues, providing short and/or long-term solutions to mechanical problems.
“Squealing power steering systems or transmissions that don’t seem to be running smoothly can be treated with additives that lubricate internally and help to settle down some problems quite quickly,” said Dan Morgan, sales and operations director at Lucas Oil Products (UK).
In addition to extending the life of components, which also reduces waste, it’s a solution that makes a positive impact on an operator’s carbon footprint, the manufacturer contends.
Dan says workshop solutions that are achieved without having to strip a system down provide operators with several key benefits: “Wherever additives provide the solution, there is no vehicle downtime. Vehicle utilisation levels remain high. More time becomes available for maintenance on other vehicles in the fleet.”
Consequently, fleet engineers are increasingly keen to learn more about additive opportunities. This is particularly the case with respect to preventive maintenance.
Lucas Oil says its Transmission Fix is a fast and inexpensive solution for transmission problems. As well as sealing leaks and lubricating sticking bands, it helps to stop slipping and extends the life of the transmission fluid.
Meanwhile, Power Steering Stop Leak is Lucas Oil’s solution for a range of steering rack issues. As well as repairing leaks, it reduces slack and eliminates squeals and hard spots on worn rack and pinions.
Most engine damage takes place just after a vehicle has been standing for a prolonged period, says the manufacturer. The oil drains down into the sump. Internal components that are left without lubricant protection are exposed to increased wear and potential damage immediately after the restart. Such instances are referred to as a ‘dry start’.
Heavy Duty Engine Stabilizer is an additive that acts as an engine oil fortifying agent and a defender of components against dry starts, says Lucas Oil, while also extending the operating life of the engine oil.
The company points out that the expansion and extension of low emission zones in UK urban areas ensures that emissions control and fuel efficiency are always foremost in the minds of both transport managers and fleet engineers.
There are additive tools that can help ensure that goods can be delivered with fewer fears about incurring penalties, it says – and provide help restoring lost power.
For example, an increase in fuel consumption can mean injector problems, but if these have been created by the build-up of tars and resins that are present as impurities in the fuel, the coatings they can leave behind on injectors prevents a clean burn.
“Our Upper Cylinder Lubricant (UCL) has become a first call for restoring pulling power and increasing fuel efficiency,” said Dan Morgan.
“That’s because of its reputation for flushing away the deposits and lacquers that build up and will eventually clog the injectors. Improving the burn helps to reduce harmful emissions, so UCL has also become a popular additive that’s used ahead of MOT tests. It’s a true cost saver in fuel terms and is often used to help vehicles on the borderline of failure to pass their emissions tests.”
Power take-off systems drive many more systems on road vehicles these days, especially those operated on behalf of customers in construction, agriculture or off-highway industries. Preventive maintenance is always better than cure, says Lucas Oil, so any hydraulic fluid that drives a power take-off system could see a major benefit from a 10 per cent charge of Hydraulic Oil Booster and Stop Leak.
Benefits are said to include extending the operational life of pumps, rams and seals as well as increasing the operational life of the hydraulic fluid itself.
