How emissions
control is
challenging
efficiency
Over the past few decades, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has implemented emissions regulations for heavy-duty
diesel engines—for both on and off highway. While these
standards are positive and have lowered emissions, the engine
aftertreatment systems (EATS) now mandatory in all new vehicles
and equipment bring their own set of unique challenges when it
comes to overall efficiency and total cost of ownership.
The EATS trade-off
The latest category of heavy-duty engine oils were specifically designed to protect this latest generation of engines, but oil technology has not advanced far enough when it comes to optimizing and protecting the aftertreatment system, especially with regards to the diesel particulate filter (DPF). Consequently, fleet owners and operations managers have been forced to make a trade-off—one that requires more fuel.
The DPFs downside
DPF regeneration cycles
Once enough soot and ash accumulate, the engine initiates a
process where extremely high temperatures burn off the
collected particles to regenerate the DPF. Each regen requires
incremental fuel use, decreasing fuel economy and often forcing
equipment downtime.
What's actually happening?
DPFs play a crucial role in cleaning diesel exhaust before it hits the tailpipe, reducing emissions of particulate matter (PM). As fuel burns, the DPF collects and stores up to 98% of incombustible particles in the form of ash and soot.
Ash clogging in the DPF
Soot burns off through regeneration, but ash remains in the DPF.
Engine lubricants contain metallic additives, such as anti-wear and
detergents, which contribute heavily to ash buildup in the DPF. Despite regen cycles, this means eventual DPF clogging, resulting in increased service intervals, unnecessary downtime or costly replacement.
Watch the Effects of Ash Buildup
Ash can deeply harm your fleet’s engines
once it has clogged DPFs—with consequences
that appear in more ways than one.
The cost of Tier 4 Final
Tier 4 Final engines are here for heavy-duty off-
highway vehicles—and have been for a while now.
Many fleets are already operating with 25% Tier 4
Final equipment. And that number is only going to
grow. But there has been a resistance to embracing
this technology due to associated costs. Learn more
about how ash clogging in the DPF could be costing
you.
The DPF impact on
fuel economy
Take a deeper dive on how fuel efficiency is
negatively impacted by oil contaminant clogging
in DPFs.
Diesel Particulate Filter Operation
Learn how the DPF works, and what effect it has on fuel economy.
Inspecting the DPF
See how the honeycomb filter collects and stores
ash and soot to prevent harmful emissions.
Cleaner air and lower-ash
lubricants
See how landmark legislation on air quality has
had a far-reaching impact on diesel engine
design, producing a need for lower-ash oils.
Maintenance issues and
aftertreatment systems
Understand the causes related to ash clogging in
your DPFs and why you may be servicing them
more than OEM guidelines suggest.
Clogged DPFs and the “Fuel
Penalty”
Is your engine burning fuel at a faster rate? It
may be because ash is clogging your DPF,
causing backpressure and forced regenerations.
Modal Component - Modals Configured
