Title: Effect of extended idle on oil degradation rates of heavy-duty vehicles

Authors: M.K. Kader; T. Ramani; T.J. Jacobs

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3123, USA ' Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX 77843-3135, USA ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3123, USA

Abstract: Given the high level of extended idle endured by a heavy-duty vehicle, there is a need to understand the effects of extended idle operation on its engine oil life. This study uses routinely-collected oil samples from multiple heavy duty vehicles to determine the effects extended idle has on engine oil degradation rate. The results of the oil analysis show very little degradation of oil in spite of high levels of extended idle operation. A negative but normal correlation is seen in viscosity and total base number (TBN). Significant degradation is not seen even after the vehicle exceeded the manufacturer's recommended oil change interval. The results from the study seem to show that extended idling in heavy-duty vehicles can be treated similarly to long trip intervals, in terms of oil degradation. Additionally, it seems extended idling does not result in abnormal engine wear or excessive oil contamination.

Keywords: heavy-duty vehicles; heavy vehicles; engine oil life; extended idle; oil change intervals; oil degradation; viscosity; extended idling; engine wear; oil contamination.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2015.071673

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2015 Vol.22 No.3, pp.193 - 212

Received: 17 Feb 2014
Accepted: 13 Jan 2015
Published online: 14 Sep 2015 *

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