It's the early morning hours. The sun is starting to creep up over the horizon, and the air is so cold you can see your breath. Frost covers the windows, and your hands are chilled as you shove them into your pockets walking to the bus. You open the door, climb in and insert the key, pressing down the fuel pedal as you do. The engine whines then putters and emits a terrible cough as the engine fires, but nothing catches. You try again and again, but nothing happens. The cold air is too much for the diesel engine, and today the school bus will be late.

Situations like this happen across the country when the weather starts to get colder. Diesel engines can have a hard time starting in the cold weather. We rely on many large vehicles like school buses, transit vehicles, tractors, semi-trucks, and heavy-duty equipment for work and transport. The last thing that we need on a cold day is for one of these diesel workhorses to be out of commission.

Allison transmissions require the best lubrication fluids
Many of these larger vehicles have Allison transmissions. Special engine equipment like an Allison transmission requires the very best engine oils to run smoothly. These engine oils help fleet managers and drivers avoid equipment breakdowns and maintenance for as long as possible. Vehicles that have an Allison transmission are workhorses. They’re the school buses, transit vehicles, and work vehicles that we need every single day. The longer we can keep these vehicles on the road and running safely, the better.

Delo® SYN ATF 668 Synthetic Transmission Fluid
That’s why Chevron has developed the Delo® SYN ATF 668 synthetic transmission fluid, specifically for Allison heavy-duty automatic truck and bus transmissions. This new fluid formula provides exceptional anti-wear protection, more effortless shifting, better clutch operation, and increased durability in extreme temperatures and weather conditions.
The Delo® SYN ATF 668 is available for on-highway use and for all vehicles that use Allison TES -668® fluid and is backward compatible with Allison TES-295® and TES-389®. This fluid is designed for severe duty and extended drain intervals and will replace Cognis Emgard 2805. So, what is about the Delo® SYN ATF 668 fluid that makes it so great? Let’s dig a little deeper. Delo® SYN ATF 668 offers a host of protective features, including:

• Extended anti-shudder durability: This transmission fluid improves durability, reduces engine maintenance, and prolongs equipment life. It helps to prevent friction deterioration by decreasing vibrations for better driveability.
• Extended clutch friction durability: One way this fluid helps prevent friction degradation is by improving shift performance. The friction durability tests showed a consistent mid-point torque in the use of industrial transmissions over time and a low-speed endpoint torque during gear changes.
• Improved oxidation performance during extended drain intervals: This formula contains antioxidants that help prevent oxidation even with extended drain intervals, which will enhance your engine life and reduce equipment maintenance costs and downtime.
• Increased gear protection: Delo® designed this formula to help prolong transmission lifespan by protecting gears while they’re moving. The anti-wear protection offered by this formula provides increased protection, even after three higher load stages.

Make the switch
Now that you know all of the benefits of the new Delo® SYN ATF 668 synthetic transmission fluid let’s talk about making the change. Since the transmission fluid is approved for Allison Transmission TES 668, Tes 295, and TES 389, you don’t have to worry about voiding your Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) warranty if you decide to make the switch. If anything, you’ll get a better return on the investment on your OEM warranty because your equipment will last longer!

Please remember that Allison has recommended that all current TES 295 or 389 fluid users make this change. You can even make the switch in between transmission fluid cycles. Delo® SYN ATF 668 is approved to mix with these transmission fluids and for the same drain intervals. So you can still use up the stock of transmission fluid you have left before you make the switch to Delo®.

Follow proper storage and handling practices
If you’re ready to try this new formula, give our ordering team a call. We’ll evaluate your equipment needs and get it ordered for you. Once you receive your order, please make sure to follow proper storage and handling practices, including:

• Storing the product in a cool, dry indoor area. The ideal storage temperature range should be between 32ºF to 77ºF. Please make sure the air is dry, free of airborne particles, and take care to protect the product labels from deterioration.
• If you do store outside, please keep the product covered from direct water and particulate matter.
• Regularly rotate your inventory to keep it fresh and free of containments. Use your oldest supply first to maintain freshness. Make sure all tools and equipment that are used with the product are clean as well.

Sign up for our oil analysis program
At Greg’s Petroleum Service, we offer an oil and fluid analysis program to keep your lubrication supplies fresh. Our team can get you started with this program and teach you how to take samples, read laboratory reports and follow through on the recommendations for your fleet. The Delo® SYN ATF 668 transmission fluid is eligible for testing. It’s recommended that you sample this fluid when it is warm before draining. If you’re using this fluid in extreme conditions or weather, it’s recommended that warm samples are taken halfway between routine service intervals. Our team can help you determine your sampling schedule for all your oil analysis needs.

The big vehicles we rely on, like our school and transit buses, semi-trucks, and heavy-duty equipment, are meant to work. We need them to get the job done and to transport goods and people safely. On a cold winter’s day, the last thing you want is for a piece of equipment in your fleet to be out of commission and unable to start. That’s exactly the type of situation this new transmission fluid helps prevent. As your Chevron Lubricants Supplier, it’s just another great product from the Chevron and Delo team that we highly recommend to our customers.

Small business owners know that every penny counts, especially now. Increasing fuel prices, supply chain issues, and the economic recovery from COVID-19 are all big problems. That’s a lot to worry about. The reliability of your fleet and equipment should not be another problem to fret over.

There’s nothing more annoying than preventable equipment breakdowns. As a fuel and lubricant supplier, we work hard to ensure our customers have the supplies they need to protect their equipment and keep it in good working condition. But we can only provide the lubrication supplies that you need. So it’s up to you to establish a lubrication program that will protect your equipment and prevent maintenance issues.

Choose the right supplies to get the best return on your equipment investment
Our ordering team can offer expert recommendations based on your equipment and working conditions. When you choose lubricant supplies that meet the proper viscosity and performance needs, you can expect increased reliability. The Institute of Mechanical Engineers found that “for every $1,000…organizations invest in the right lubricant and the right handling, they can expect reductions of $40,000 in the form of increased reliability.” That’s a pretty great return on investment! Ask your sales representative for their lubricant recommendations. Our team is always on top of the latest lubricant trends and technologies.

Cut back on contamination
Choosing the right lubricant supplies is the first step, but keeping your lubricant supplies fresh and contamination-free is the next step. Contamination is a huge issue. According to Noria, “82% of mechanical wear is caused by particle contamination in lubricants.” The leading causes of contamination are dirt, water, varnishes, and gases. Microscopic contamination is hard to detect and avoid. It happens so quickly. That’s one of the reasons we love recommending Chevron ISOCLEAN products because they come as clean as possible out of the container. But, even the most sterile products can still be contained without proper handling and storage practices.

Establish a lubricant storage and handling program
We follow rigorous protocols to ensure that our inventory is kept clean and safe before it is delivered to your business. But once it’s in your hands, it’s up to you to establish a lubrication handling program. We recommend following the 5S’s of lubricant storage. You can read more about them in our previous blog, but here is a quick overview.

• Sort: Keep a dedicated, organized, labeled lubricant storage room.
• Straighten: Establish protocols to keep everything in its place and ensure easy access and rotation of supplies, so things stay fresh.
• Shine: Keep your storage space clean with established cleaning protocols.
• Standardize: Implement signage and training protocols, so your storage and handling procedures are standardized for everyone’s use.
• Sustain: Maintain a schedule of cleaning and rotation duties that is sustainable for your company.

If you follow the 5S storage and handling system for your lubricant supplies, you should be able to cut back on contamination issues, so your supplies stay fresh.

Choose a maintenance approach
A good fleet manager knows that you don’t just wait for your equipment to break down before fixing it. Instead, you implement an approach to keep your equipment in good working condition and prevent equipment breakdowns. There are plenty of theories on how to do this, but there are two we’d like to mention that can help.

1. Condition Based Maintenance (CBM)
   The theory behind CBM maintenance is to monitor the state of the equipment and perform maintenance when there are indicators of decreased performance. With careful monitoring involving visual inspections, measurements, and scheduled tests, you should avoid catastrophic equipment breakdowns and stay on top of your equipment maintenance. It’s a preventative approach that takes into account how you use your equipment and its current condition.

   Our oil and lubricant analysis program can be beneficial if you decide to adopt at CBM maintenance approach. When you sign up for this program, you’ll take regular oil and fluid samples from your equipment to send to an analysis lab. They will analyze your samples for various factors and send personalized recommendations back to you to help keep your equipment in good working order. This testing is right in line with the CBM maintenance theory and can be a worthy investment to protect your equipment and improve reliability.

2. Preventive and Planned Maintenance
   As great as it would be to establish testing and alert protocols for a CBM maintenance approach, we recognize that might not be the easiest route for all business owners. It may be too expensive or time-consuming to implement or could lead to inconvenient equipment downtime. Some business owners opt for a preventative or planned maintenance theory or approach.

   Using this approach, you may plan for equipment repairs and maintenance during slow work seasons. Conversely, this approach can be beneficial if you have busier work seasons. Many agricultural or construction-based customers like this approach because it allows them to keep their equipment working during their busy season and then perform preventative maintenance during their off-season.

Choose the approach that’s best for you
There is no one size fits all maintenance theory approach. You may combine methods to make something that’s custom for your business’s needs. The goal of choosing a maintenance approach is to get the best return on investment for your equipment. If you want to keep your equipment in good working order, you need two things: the right lubricants and the proper maintenance plan. With these two elements, you can save money and keep your equipment in good working condition.

As your lubricants supplier, our role is to help you find the right lubricant supplier and to give suggestions for keeping those supplies fresh. If you want our expert advice, talk to your Greg’s Petroleum Service sales representative today. Together we’ll come up with a plan that will help you get the most out of your equipment so you can keep working!

The story of Greg’s Petroleum is one that we are proud to tell. Our business started in the early 60s when Harold ‘Greg’ Gregory started working at Ken Teague’s Standard Oil Distributorship. By 1963, he had bought the company, and then in 1984, he established Greg’s Petroleum Service. Like many local businesses, we’ve grown and evolved over the years. Now, Greg’s son-in-law, Ron Mariani, is our President and CEO. He originally started as a fuel driver, and now his son Greg is our General Manager! So, we’re a multi-generational family business!

Every business has a story to tell of how it came to be. We are proud of our story. It’s one of hard work, dedication, integrity, passion, and a sense of community. Over the years, we’ve formed strong partnerships with several local businesses as we’ve served the Central Valley California area.

Pete Hronis, Vice President of Sales, says this about working with our company: “Our father Jim Hronis started doing business with Harold Gregory from the start of Greg’s Petroleum, and since the beginning, we’ve always been well taken care of. Even during the fuel shortage of the mid-70s, when everyone was searching for fuel, our tanks were always full, and there was no interruption to our farming business. They are a dependable fuel and lubricants source – one of the main reasons we are loyal to Greg’s.”

Testimonials like that are why we love doing what we do. We love knowing that our expertise, knowledge, time, and dedication to our industry help us craft meaningful partnerships that help local businesses thrive. In addition, our loyal customers, like Hronis, Inc., have helped shape who we are as a company and the values that we strive to uphold.

Our customers can depend on us
One of the values we hold dear is dedication. We want to ensure that our customers know they can depend on us for their fuel and lubricant needs. The past year and a half have been tough during the pandemic as we faced the challenges that it has brought. However, we’ve worked hard to coordinate with our partners and customers to ensure that everyone’s fuel and lubricant needs are met. Our dedication to our customers is one of the reasons we recommend choosing only one fuel and lubricant supplier. The relationships we’ve developed with our clients help us to gain a strong understanding of all their fuel and lubricant needs. Because of that experience and knowledge, we can provide extra attention and detail to our customer’s orders.

You can trust our storage and handling practices
Another advantage of working with one dedicated fuel and lubricant supplier is trusting our storage and handling procedures. Our company invests significant time into storage and handling training and proper storage spaces. Clear storage rules and standards keep your lubricant and fuel supplies fresh.

We make it easy to establish a lubrication program
One of the ways we help guarantee product freshness and help maintain your equipment integrity is through our oil analysis program. Regular testing of your supplies can help your mechanics and equipment operators to devise a custom lubrication plan for all of your equipment based on how you use it and your business needs. A custom lubrication plan is a great way to cut back on equipment downtime and increase productivity. In addition, our ordering team makes it easy for your business to maintain your inventory and purchase records without having to correlate invoices from multiple vendors. We keep a large inventory of supplies on hand and can order any lubricants from our extensive supply network. If you want to make your billing and ordering process more straightforward, we can help.

We are certified as a Chevron 1st Source Elite Marketer
One of the aspects of our business that we are most proud of is our designation as a Chevron 1st Source Elite Marketer. This designation took plenty of hard work from our team. We underwent a rigorous review by Chevron to meet their standards. Inclusion in this program means that we are required to have expert knowledge of Chevron’s products and processes, in addition to our extensive training in the lubrication and fuel industry. We’ve worked with Chevron since Harold started this business, and we highly recommend their products and services as some of the best in the industry. Many of our customers who make the switch to Chevron products agree with us too!

Make us your dedicated fuel and lubricant supplier
If you’re considering a new fuel and lubricants supplier, let’s get in touch. We are proud to service the San Joaquin Valley and surrounding areas in California. Getting all your fuel and lubricants from one supplier may seem a little daunting at first, so we understand if you have questions for us. We have the answers you need. Don’t be afraid to ask us about our product inventory, storage, and handling protocols, delivery process, or our supply chain and partners.

We’ve been in this business a long time, and we have learned that the best way to service our customers is to be open and honest with them. Our sales team is happy to walk you through any questions you may have. One of our customers, Randall Carrol, President of Carrolls Tire Wirehouse, had this to say about his partnership with our company: “I learned early on in business that when you find a good supplier, you stick with them. Greg’s Petroleum Service has been that partner for us. Since 1996, Greg’s has kept us competitive in our market with quality Chevron products, and their exceptional service has helped support our company growth over the years.” We hope you will feel the same way!

There are many concerns you face as a fleet manager. This past year and a half have been especially hard for many businesses that have faced shutdowns, restrictions, and reduced work.

Now things are moving again, which means you’re going to need your trucks and equipment on the road ready to work. Investing in semi-trucks and heavy-duty equipment is a major expense for your business. These pieces of machinery cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and you rely on it for transportation and work. Downtime or maintenance issues directly affect the productivity of your business, and that’s not easy, especially now.

As a Central Valley California fuel and lubricant supplier, we work with many customers who manage large fleets. The number one thing they want is to keep their trucks and equipment moving, but they often have to pull their trucks from the rotation for routine maintenance, especially for DPF filter issues.

DPF Filter Overview
The DPF is the diesel particulate filter. These filters are designed to lower emissions by capturing particulates before they are released into the air. Over time, these filters clog up with particulate matter, especially ash. Truck engines are designed to burn off this ash and build up soot using a process known as regen, where the engine runs extra hot. Sometimes this can be done passively while the truck or equipment is on the road, and other times it must be done while the equipment idles and the engine runs. Even with the regen process, DPF filters still clog up quickly, and then they must be removed, cleaned, and in some cases, replaced. It’s a costly process that takes a few days. If you want to get the most out of your truck, you want to make sure that you can go as long as possible before you have to service your DPF filter.

Dangers of Ash Build Up
To extend intervals between DPF filter service you need to prevent ash buildup. Ash build-up is caused by the burning of engine oil and the metallic additives in engine oil like calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, molybdenum, and boron. These additives are included to provide extra engine wear protection, oxidation stabilization, and oil life extension. Additives like these are actually good for your engine. They are designed to prevent piston damage, reduce deposits, and increase fuel efficiency. But over time, these metallic additives cause ash build-up, leading to increased maintenance, DPF filter cleaning, reduced fuel economy, and eventually, engine damage.

Can you reducec the amount of ash in the oil?
So, how can you keep the benefits of additives while reducing the ash that builds up in your DPF filter? That’s the question that fleet managers struggle with. The additives in engine oil help protect the whole engine and reduce the amount of fuel you use. You don’t want to give up that benefit. But at the same time, ash build-up is a huge issue. Some experts recommend simply reducing the CK-4 conventional oil that you use. The logic is that the less oil used, the less ash is produced. The problem with that type of thinking is, you can’t control how much oil your engine needs, and you’ll still miss out on the benefits of properly lubricating your engine.

Chevron scientists go to work to create low ash oil.
The scientists at Chevron have struggled with this dilemma. For years, they’ve investigated and studied this problem to try and find a solution. Is it possible to create an engine oil with all the benefits the additives provide, but that produces less ash? Scientists at Chevron undertook the challenge and created an ultra-low ash engine oil over several years with extensive testing. To do this, they started by experimenting with how much ash they could take out without sacrificing the engine oil quality and the additive benefits. Unfortunately, an ultra-low ash oil that didn’t meet the performance requirements wasn’t good enough. During the testing process, Chevron scientists meticulously studied and measured each engine component to see the effects as more ash was removed. Eventually, they found a baseline that allowed the team to reformulate their engine oil formula with all of the additive benefits but with significantly less ash.

Base Oil Quality is Key
Part of this experimentation process was selecting the right base oil. Since Chevron has oil reserves and refinery facilities, the research team chose high-quality refined oil. Chevron’s commitment to the highest quality base oil helped the team create a significantly better product with much less ash. The resulting product was the Delo® 600 ADF engine oil line.

Delo® 600 ADF
As a Chevron market partner, we proudly share their top products with our customers. Delo® 600 ADF engine oil is an ultra-low ash heavy-duty diesel engine oil is great for Tier IV Final and 2017 Greenhouse gas compliant engines. It’s Chevron ISOCLEAN® Certified so you know that it’s clean and free of contaminants straight out of the container. It offers extended emissions controls for your DPF Filter by increasing service intervals by up to 2x! The low metallic ash build-up also helps to improve fuel economy and still provides exceptional deposit control for pistons and turbochargers. If you’re serious about reducing your maintenance costs and service intervals, it’s a fantastic oil for your engine.

We love Chevron products
As a fuel and lubricants supplier, we’ve worked with many customers over the years, and engine maintenance issues are always top of mind for fleet managers. Our role is to provide your business with the best lubricants for your equipment and working needs. We want you to be able to keep your trucks and equipment on the road safely as long as you can. That’s why we love Chevron products.

The scientific team at Chevron works tirelessly to improve and test their inventions to create superior products. They don’t just look at a problem like the ash build up and say, ‘well, I guess that’s just the way it is.’ No, they see the problem, study it, and work to create a product like the Delo® 600 ADF oil that fixes the problem and provides superior engine protection. It’s why we always feel confident recommending Chevron products to our customers and why our customers always keep ordering them. Chevron’s oils are just that good.

As a fuel supplier, we know how big of an investment heavy-duty equipment can be. We have a fleet, and we work hard to take care of our rigs so they will last for years. But as every business owner knows, there comes a time when you have to upgrade your equipment. These rigs cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and represent a significant investment for most businesses. That’s why you want to make sure that you get the most of your equipment.

One of the best ways to get a great return on investment on a new piece of heavy-duty equipment is to pay attention to the fuel economy. Newer heavy-duty trucks and diesel equipment are designed to increase fuel economy. For example, in 2011, the US introduced new heavy-duty truck standards to improve fuel economy and lower emissions. Research shows that these new fuel standards and technologies introduced in 2011 led to a 24% fuel efficiency gain from 2011 to 2017.

All of these changes aren’t cheap. If you’ve bought new equipment in the last few years, you know that prices are rising. From 2008 to 2011, the average annual price increase averaged $2,011 a year. After 2011, that average rose to $2,500 a year from 2011 to 2017. The good news is that even though a new truck or piece of heavy-duty equipment will cost more upfront, the fuel economy technology this equipment has may save you money in the long run if you take care of your equipment correctly. For example, new trucks purchased after 2017 save owners nearly $8,200 a year, compared to models bought before 2011.

Diesel engine fuel efficiency drops over time

The more stringent EPA standards mean that new diesel trucks and heavy-duty equipment fresh off the assembly line are more fuel-efficient than ever. That’s great news for you, as long as things stay that way. But, unfortunately, over time, diesel engines slow down and become less fuel-efficient. One of the main reasons for this is the technology meant to reduce emissions, the Exhaust Aftertreatment System (EATS), and the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).

Newer engines run faster and hotter than ever before, which means that your oil burns quicker and at higher temperatures. Over time, ash from your fuel and oils begin to accumulate in your EATS system, particularly in the DPF filter. That’s what it’s designed to do, collect these particulates before they are released into the air. The problem is that the ash begins to clog the filter and stops working as efficiently. As a result, your fuel will not burn properly, and you end up using more power to burn up the ash and debris in the DPF filter. To stop this from happening, you have to regularly service your DPF filter by removing and cleaning it. Unfortunately, this process can be costly and time-consuming.

DPF Back Pressure and Regeneration reduce fuel efficiency

When your DPF filter begins to clog up, two things happen –– increased backpressure and DPF regeneration. Let’s explore these processes.

Increased back pressure occurs when the ash blocks the flow of exhaust through the DPF filter. The exhaust gas then builds up in the filter, which causes engine stress. Your engine has to work harder to push out the exhaust, leading to increased fuel consumption.

Regeneration or ‘regen’ is how the DPF filter burns off the ash and soot that accumulates. Regen is when the engine runs at high temperatures to burn the excess particulates. Passive regen occurs during everyday highway driving. Faster highway speeds increase the burn, but sometimes passive regen isn’t enough. In that case, you may have to trigger an ‘active’ regen. This process involves injecting fuel into the DPF filter while the vehicle is running and sitting idle. The engine has to run at high speeds to trigger high RPMs to burn off the particulates in the filter. It’s a costly way to waste fuel and time as the vehicle isn’t moving anywhere.

The right oil can save your DPF filter

No matter what you do, your DPF filter will begin to clog up, and you will eventually have to remove it for cleaning and service. The trick that will save you time, money, and fuel is to reduce how often you need to service your DPF filter and keep your rig fuel efficient by reducing back pressure and regen cycles. The best way to keep your equipment fuel-efficient is to reduce the build-up of ash. Even if your DPF filter is only at 25% capacity because of ash build-up, your fuel economy can drop by 3-6% percent. That’s going to add up over time.

Choose an oil that helps reduce ash build-up. Chevron’s Delo brand of lubricants are all excellent choices. These oils increase fuel efficiency and equipment protection because of Chevron’s patented ISOSYN technology, producing superior oils from higher quality base minerals and materials. Chevron ISOSYN certified oils are designed to increase fuel efficiency, protect your engine from deposits and soot, and increase the time between service intervals.

Ask lubricant experts like us

As a fuel and lubricants supplier for more than sixty years, we’ve seen every kind of technological improvement. Our team knows what works and can recommend high-quality products, like Chevron’s Delo brand, to help keep your equipment in good working order. As a business owner, you’ve put a lot of money into building your fleet, and we believe you should reap the benefits of increased fuel economy. We know which products can help save your business money and help reduce your maintenance costs. Talk to our team today, and we’ll find the products for your equipment and service needs.