Five Questions to Help You Pick the Right Diesel Engine Oil

Our editors are on vacation, so we're posting some of our favorite stories from the previous year which we thought worth repeating.

Viscosity control? Shear stability? TBN retention? Confused? Best to start your search by understanding your application; tractor pulling, drag racing, stationary, street, off-road, etc. Let's take a look at these five simple questions.

What are your engine oil specifications? 

It’s important to follow what your original equipment manufacturer recommends. Reading your owner’s manual is the key to maximizing your equipment’s performance. Your manual contains vital API information about caring for your engine, including which oil grades are best suited for them. For example: SAE 15W-40, 10W-30, 5W-40 oil? Mineral, semi, or full synthetic base stock needs to be considered.

How important is fuel economy? 

If you’re keeping an eye on your miles per gallon, the right lubricant can help your equipment achieve its maximum fuel efficiency. By squeezing a few extra miles from each tank, you can see major savings over time. A semi or full-synthetic diesel engine oil is your best option to deliver maximum fuel efficiency without compromising engine performance, improving fuel economy by up to 2 percent under normal conditions and by up to 3 percent during cold starts.

Does your diesel engine run in a range of temperatures? 

Speaking of cold starts, temperature is another important consideration when choosing an engine oil. Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can be brutal on moving parts in your equipment. Heat can quickly turn an engine into an oven, and the cold can thicken some oils until they’re practically jelly.

How old is your diesel engine? 

Most diesel owners want to stretch the life of their engine as long as possible. To perform their best, older diesel engines require attentive care, and a quality lubricant can go a long way toward maintaining them. For example, is your diesel running a DPF or no? Rebuilt for performance? Out of warranty?

Are you looking for more horse power or torque? 

Be sure to look at the oil’s data or spec sheet to see if it addresses increased performance, or is high in anti-wear protection, etc. Look for semi and full synthetic diesel engine oils that use shear stable synthetic base oils that are also high in film strength, have viscosity control, work with high compression, have a higher TBN retention, and if needed, designed to address demands of turbo or super-charged diesel engines.

We hope this has helped a little in your decision. Need a place to start? Take a look at these eight diesel engine oils: https://www.championbrands.com/diesel-engine-oils/

THIS STORY ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN SEPTEMBER 2020

The Silverado Trail Boss Steps Up to Diesel

Silverado Trail Boss now available in diesel.

Some people might be surprised at how long the Chevy Silverado half-ton went without a diesel engine. When you go to performance diesel competitions, the Big 3 are always well represented. But for a while the diesel option was absent in recent years. So it was that in 2020 that the Silverado stepped up its game with a turbo diesel inline six.

At the time, automotive columnist Len Ingrassia wrote last year, "The new turbo diesel inline six cylinder promotes high fuel economy, performance and a plethora of configurations to match your pocketbook and penchant for creature comforts." 

We find it interesting that GM is now adding a diesel option to the Chevy Silverado Trail Boss. As reported earlier this year, GM has its sights set on going all electric by the middle of this century. Needless to say, they obviously do not want to abandoned the diesel enthusiasts among us. Hence, GM Authority last week announced this new move for the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 Limited LT Trail Boss.

According to a story by Caleb Jacobs in The Drive, the Trail Boss is currently considered the most off-road capable truck in Chevy's half-ton lineup. 

Jacobs notes that "the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel inline-six that hasn't been available on the Trail Boss to this point, and it'd be great to pair that 4x4 prowess with nearly 30 mpg on the road. Now, it seems like General Motors will make it happen."

The 3.0-liter Duramax produces 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. That's equal to GM's potent 6.2-liter gas V8. The V8 can't compete on fuel economy though. Off road in 4x4 mode, Duramax numbers are 25 mpg. Running down the highway you get 29 mpg.

We applaud the move, especially since Ford is discontinuing its half-ton diesel after this month. Ram will no doubt pick up the slack with its EcoDiesel V6-powered half-ton trucks, including the Rebel 1500.

Special thanks to the industry journalists who work at keeping us informed of all the latest developments in our industry as they happen.

Five Questions To Help You Decide Which Diesel Oil To Use

If you're confused when it comes to choosing the right engine oil for your truck, don't be alarmed. You're not alone. 

Sometimes it seems like everything is more complicated than it used to be. When was the last time you looked at the toothpaste options at Walgreens. Seems like it's a half mile long with every kind of whitener, plaque remover, gum treatment, breath freshener, ad nauseam. 

In the lubrication world, the various terms may be different, but the level of confusion remains the same. Viscosity control? Shear stability? TBN retention? 

When all is said and done, the best place to begin your oil selection search is to consider your application. Are tractor pulling or drag racing? Is the application stationary, street, or off-road? Here are five basic questions to help direct you to the right solution.

What are your engine oil specifications? 

It’s important to follow what your original equipment manufacturer recommends. Reading your owner’s manual is the key to maximizing your equipment’s performance. Your manual contains vital API information about caring for your engine, including which oil grades are best suited for them. For example: SAE 15W-40, 10W-30, 5W-40 oil? Mineral, semi, or full synthetic base stock needs to be considered.

How important is fuel economy? 

If you’re keeping an eye on your miles per gallon, the right lubricant can help your equipment achieve its maximum fuel efficiency. By squeezing a few extra miles from each tank, you can see major savings over time. A semi or full-synthetic diesel engine oil is your best option to deliver maximum fuel efficiency without compromising engine performance. It can improve fuel economy by up to 2 percent under normal conditions and by up to 3 percent during cold starts.

Does your diesel engine run in a range of temperatures? 

Speaking of cold starts, temperature is another important consideration when choosing an engine oil. Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can be brutal on moving parts in your equipment. Heat can quickly turn an engine into an oven, and the cold can thicken some oils until they’re practically jelly.

How old is your diesel engine? 

Most diesel owners want to stretch the life of their engine as long as possible. To perform their best, older diesel engines require attentive care, and a quality lubricant can go a long way toward maintaining them. For example, is your diesel not running a DPF? Rebuilt for performance? Out of warranty?

Are looking for more horse power or torque? 

Be sure to look at the oil’s data or spec sheet to see if it addresses increased performance, high in anti-wear protection, etc. Look for semi and full synthetic diesel engine oils that use shear stable synthetic base oils. That are also high in film strength, have viscosity control, work with high compression, have a higher TBN retention, and if needed, designed to address demands of turbo or super-charged diesel engines.

I hope this has helped a little in your decision. Need a place to start? Take a look at these eight diesel engine oils: https://www.championbrands.com/diesel-engine-oils/ And if you're still confused, Ask Jake.

Truck Wars: Who Has the Most Powerful Heavy Duty Diesel

Last week, TheFastLaneTruck.com published an article by Andre Smirnov comparing the latest and greatest details of our 2021 heavy-duty diesel truck offerings from the Ford, Chevy and Ram families. It includes a video, billing itself as Heavy-Duty Diesel Truck Wars! 

Smirnov takes the approach of a conscientious private detective, patiently assembling data and making useful comparisons. When all is said and done, will it be the 2021 Ford Super Duty, 2021 Chevy Silverado HD / GMC Sierra HD, or the 2021 Ram HD?

The starting point for his analysis is a straight up comparison of power output and torque. The highest horsepower was generated by the Ford Super Duty, its 6.7L V8 turbo-diesel cranking 475 hp. The torque monster, however, turns out to be the 2021 Ram HD, edging the Ford with 1,075 lb.-ft. of torque. Here are the numbers:

	2021 Chevy/GMC HD	2021 Ford SD	2021 Ram HD
Engine	6.6L V8 turbo-diesel	6.7L V8 turbo-diesel	6.7L I6 turbo-diesel H.O
–Power	445 hp	475 hp @ 2,600	420 hp
–Torque	910 lb-ft	1,050 lb-ft @ 1,600	1,075 lb-ft
Transmission	10-speed auto (Allison brand)	10-speed (Ford)	6-speed (Aisin)

It's interesting to see the places where these power plants differ. Note the slightly smaller Chevy/GMC engine. It's also interesting how the Ram has a 6-speed transmission whereas the competitors utilize a 10-speed setup.

When it comes to towing and payload ratings, Smirnov notes that this is where the manufacturers are digging down, fighting for your dollars. That's because at the end of the day you want a work truck that can work.

The first comparison is of the maximum tow ratings for diesel-powered one-ton dually trucks with a regular two-door cab, rear wheel drive only. A follow up chart provides max payload ratings for gasoline-powered two-door 2WD trucks. The conclusions he draws are surprising:

While the diesel-powered trucks have the torque and power to tow great big trailers and the exhaust brake systems to slow them down, the diesel engine itself adds weight to the truck. As such, if you want maximum payload from your heavy-duty truck, you need to choose one that is powered by a lighter gas engine.

This is first place where Smirnov dons a Sherlock Holmes twist, comparing not just the trucks but the method of trailering, either gooseneck or 5th-wheel. 

Then like a sidewinder he throws another curveball, suggesting that many people prefer crew cabs and 4WD so they can carry more people. And what about a 2021 dually crew can with that 4x4 configuration? Shouldn't we compare these, too?

After laying out the numbers for these he continues still further to the 3/4 ton diesels, and by the time he gets to the end what have we learned? That the verdict is still out, sort of. The author states that they will be updating data as additional information comes in.

The article ends with a video designed to make us hungry for more diesel action in person than what we could share in 2020. HERE is the link for Truck Wars.

Why Do Diesel Engines Make More Torque Than Their Gasoline Powered Siblings?

Jason Fenske, Engineering Explained

Have you ever wondered why it is that diesel engines make more torque than gasoline engines? On one level they are essentially the same, an metal block in which pistons move up and down when the fuel detonates. The energy produced gets transferred to the drivetrain which sets the truck in motion. 

That being said, why the difference in torque?

The answer to this question can be found at a YouTube channel called Engineering Explained.  The video is aptly titled Why Diesel Engines Make More Torque Than Gasoline Engines. The host for this presentation is Jason Fenske. 

Even though a cursory look at the two kinds of engines makes them appear similar, Fenske points out several subtle differences that appear small but have big consequences. They are as follows.

1. Compression ratio.

2. Speed of combustion.

3. Bore size vs. length of stroke.

4. Use of turbochargers.

5. Energy density of diesel fuel.

Gasoline is highly combustible, hence the pistons in a gasoline engine do not fully compress. It's the spark that does ignition. Diesel pistons are pushed further up within the cylinder because diesel fuel is ignited by the heat of compression.

The article includes a link to a 2014 blog post titled Throwback Thursday: What Does Torque in a Car Do? 

For each segment, Fenske explains with useful imagery and technical diagrams. If you aren’t a car nut, torque is basically force multiplied by distance - and it is what causes your car to accelerate. For car enthusiast beginners this blog post gives a great introduction to torque, how to measure it and what it can do in your car.

What's especially interesting is how a basic presentation like this has had 1.5 million pageviews. It's quite apparent that this is a topic more than just a few people have wondered about.

This story and video were found at 

Interesting Engineering

* * * 

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Tell us about it. Send it to our Blue Flame director Karl Dedolph III @ kdedolph@championbrands.com

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Torque + Fuel Efficiency = the 2021 Chev Suburban Diesel SUV

It's that time of year. Mother Nature gave us four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and New Car Introductions. When autumn colors appear on the trees, you know that next year's cars will begin appearing in car magazines and other media. 

Every product has a target niche it strives to fill. That includes cars and trucks. The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban Diesel is billing itself as the most fuel-efficient, full-size SUV on the market. Here's what Miguel Cortina said at Motor Trend. 

Cortina begins by stating that efficient full-sized SUVs are rare. Putting a diesel under the hood, though, changes the equation. This vehicle, he says, was, "rated at 20/26/22 mpg city/highway/combined, which makes it the most fuel-efficient four-wheel-drive full-size SUV in the market. Think about that for a sec." 

A diesel Suburban isn't new, he says, but it's not something Chevy has done for a while. The specific model he test drove was the Chev Suburban Diesel High Country, 2021 of course.

First Stop: The Track
The objective at the track is to see how it handles. Cortina clearly enjoyed how it handled, describing it as "buttery smooth and elegantly refined." The Duramaz turbodiesel delivers 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque that gets transmitted to the tires via 10-speed automatic transmission. Yes, it is just a tad louder than the gasoline version but unless you're paying attention you don't really notice.

In addition to exploring how fast it can do the quarter-mile, they tested its braking, as well as handling by  executing figure-eights. When all was said and done, they broke down all the data and compared it to the gas-powered 2021 Chev Suburban. They also compared the diesel 4WD version to a rear-powered. (The latter pulls 8,000 pounds whereas the 4WD a measly 7800.) 

Bottom Line
After using spelling out a few details about pricing and availability, they come to the question. Should I buy? The team at Motor Trend seems enamored by this stylish new machine. Here's their conclusion.

"It doesn't matter what your budget is—if you're looking for a Suburban, the Duramax engine is worth looking at. For less than a grand you will be getting more torque and better fuel economy without much sacrifice in performance. And who doesn't like that?"

For all the nitty gritty details, read the full story here at Motor Trend.

One Reason Why We Love Diesels: More Torque

Why do we see diesel pickups competing in sled pulls and we don't see Mustangs or Ferraris doing the tug of war? Well, it has to do with torque. Hot cars can master the horsepower game, but when it comes to raw power in a pulling competition, you need to bring in the big dogs for that.

A 2016 article in Car & Driver helps explain what torque is: "Torque is a rotating force produced by an engine's crankshaft. The more torque an engine produces, the greater its ability to perform work." 

You don't need to understand the science to recognize the difference. If you've ever been to a tractor pull, you can see it is a very different experience.

I mention all this because even though diesel engines are far cleaner and quieter than they were thirty years ago, they still get a lot of bad press. Diesel owners have a target on their backs. That's why it is important to remind folks once in a while why half the vehicles in Wyoming are pickup trucks and why diesels still have a function. 

The article that caught my eye is titled, 5 Reasons Why Diesel Engines Make More Torque Than Gasoline Engines. The 2018 Motor Authority story by Jeff Glucker begins, Horsepower is fun in its own way, but torque can be just as entertaining. If you want to rip stumps out of the ground, you'll want a whole lot of torque. That also means you'll likely prefer a diesel engine. Compared to their gasoline-swilling counterparts, diesel engines are the torque kings. Why is that?

Glucker then turns to Jason Fenske from Engineering Explained to get the answer.

According to Fenske these are five of the reasons diesels are Torque Monsters. 

1. The compression ratio

2. The speed of combustion

3. Bore and stroke size

4. Turbocharging

5. Diesel fuel packs more energy density

Fenske explains each of these five points in language that is relatively easy to grasp. For those unfamiliar with these things it is quite eye-opening. I strongly encourage following this link. It's a relatively short article and you will learn a lot.
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1116200_5-reasons-why-diesel-engines-make-more-torque-than-gasoline-engines

For more, check out the article Torque vs. Horsepower: What's the Difference? (Car & Driver)