Guard against inferior oils
Page 93
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Shell Oils has issued a warning to the commercial vehicle industry stating that it should be on its guard against poor quality oils that can cause serious and costly damage to modern trucks.
The results of a recent survey have revealed that most fleet operators believe all oils are the same, no matter who the supplier—a potentially dangerous assumption, says Shell.
Road transport manager at Shell Oils Will Davies says: "Just as a doctor wouldn't prescribe a medicine which changes its ingredients every month, fleet managers should not use any old engine oil." He adds: "The comparison may sound ridiculous but it really is that serious. The wrong engine oil—like bad medicine—causes serious internal damage.
Davies adds: "Fleet managers who have the attitude that an oil is good simply because it is on the market are gambling with their livelihood. All oils are not the same. The majority of engine oil manufacturers are only involved in the blending stage and, because most blender companies do not make their own raw materials, they may buy them on the open market often opting for the cheapest base oil available."
To back up these thoughts Shell has produced two publications which explain more fully its reasoning. (For further information write No 70 on the reader reply card).