Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
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20 | Overdrive | October 2015 LOGBOOK Why do I have to top-off oil in my engine? Most of you probably check your oil level each day or when you fill your fuel tank. Low oil level can lead to faster degradation (oxidation) of the oil, faster consumption of the oil additives and potentially shorter engine life. When discussing the issue of oil consumption, we must keep in mind that there are only two ways oil is consumed in a diesel engine: oil is either burned in the combustion chamber or it leaks through seals or gaskets. There are also a number of factors or conditions that can affect the amount of oil an engine consumes. Some of the factors that affect oil consumption include engine idle time, driving conditions, load, terrain, engine operating temperature, oil volatility, fuel dilution, and miles on the engine. Another important point to remember is that no two engines are alike. You may have noticed that engine oil consumption has been reduced with late model trucks. New oils help control piston deposits which results in better oil consumption control. Newer piston and piston ring designs, along with changes in engine operating conditions, are also factors. Oil formulation can help provide the best oil consumption control. Premium motor oils are formulated to exceed the most current requirements of all North American truck engine manufacturers, as well as those of the American Petroleum Institute. Shell Rotella ® engine oils are formulated with a careful balance of detergent, dispersant, anti-oxidant and anti-wear chemistry designed to maximize engine protection. Adding a gallon of oil every few thousand miles was once common. We now see late model engines that will go an entire drain interval without requiring that any additional oil be added. However, we still recommend you check your oil daily and top-off as required. To further help monitor conditions in your engine, we recommend having an oil analysis program. It is one of the most effective ways to monitor the condition of your engine. A regular oil analysis program helps you build a historic database and watch for trends in a variety of areas. Ideally, you want to analyze a sample of used engine oil after every oil change. By Dan Arcy Shell Lubricants The term "Shell Lubricants" refers to the various Shell Group companies engaged in the lubricants business. This monthly column is brought to you by Shell Lubricants. Got a question? Visit ROTELLA.com, call 1-800-BEST-OIL or write to The ANSWER COLuMN, 1001 Fannin, Ste. 500, Houston, TX 77002. Work-related truck driver fatalities rose to their highest level since 2008 last year, according to a U.S. Department of Labor report. It says 725 heavy vehicle or trac- tor-trailer drivers died on the job last year. In the for-hire transpor- tation segment, 477 truck driver fatalities occurred. Occupations in transportation and material moving made up the largest share, 28 percent, of fatal injuries of any occupation, ac- cording to the preliminary results from DOL's Bureau of Labor Sta- tistics. Fatal work injuries for that group rose 3 percent, to 1,289 in 2014, the highest total since 2008. – Matt Cole Trucker fatalities at highest point since 2008 According to a BLS report, 725 heavy vehicle or tractor-trailer drivers died on the job last year. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's priorities for the remainder of 2015 are making small changes to its Compliance, Safety, Accountability program and publishing a rule to mandate electronic logging devices. That emphasis was outlined by FMCSA Acting Administrator Scott Darling in a memo circulat- ed to employees last month. He said CSA Phase III will help prepare for launching off site investigations and cooperative safety plans as the fi nal two CSA interventions. FMCSA is "lining up the necessary training for federal and state investigators and outreach to the industry." He said the agency also is moving forward on a new type of investigation that focuses on identifying trends in carrier crash behaviors. FMCSA also will be fi ne-tuning the Safety Measurement System algorithm to better identify carri- ers for investigation. Darling said the fi nal rule to require ELDs is "designed to benefi t everyone" by improving hours-of-service compliance. The agency estimates it will prevent about 20 fatalities and 400 in- juries each year; help businesses cut paperwork and save money; protect drivers from harassment; and make it easier for law en- forcement offi cers to review driver HOS records. The ELD rule was delayed a month and at press time was planned for publication Oct. 30, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. – Matt Cole FMCSA to focus on CSA tweaks, e-log rule The agency said the ELD mandate will prevent about 20 fatalities and 400 injuries each year.