Are ‘good enough’ lubricants good enough?

For many operators in transport, construction, agriculture, and power generation, lubricants are still treated as a commodity, an interchangeable product where ‘good enough’ feels sufficient. However, this mindset is quietly eroding performance, accelerating maintenance costs, and creating unnecessary downtime across fleets of every size.

 

The Texaco Delo^® product range challenges this industry norm. Its range of premium engine oils and extended-life coolants is engineered to help protect critical components, maximise reliability, and support the operational demands of modern on- and off-highway equipment. Below, we tackle the misconceptions holding fleets back and show how advanced lubricants can directly address them.

 

The growing importance of high-quality lubricants

 

It’s easy to underestimate the role of lubricant chemistry in today’s heavy-duty vehicles. With engines running hotter, tighter, and under greater emissions pressures, the demands placed on oils, coolants, and driveline fluids have never been higher.

 

Texaco Delo engine oils are formulated to help deliver wear protection, soot management, and sludge control. This combination not only helps safeguard engine life, but can also help to support lower fuel and oil consumption – two areas where fleet margins are increasingly under pressure.

 

Does improved lubrication boost fuel economy?

 

Absolutely. A key example is Texaco Delo 600 ADF with OMNIMAX™ technology, an oil designed specifically to tackle soot build-up within diesel particulate filters (DPFs). By drastically reducing ash accumulation, this formulation helps slow DPF clogging, extend the service life of aftertreatment systems, and reduce the frequency of regeneration cycles.

 

In practical terms: fewer interruptions, less fuel wasted during regens, and better long-term equipment efficiency.

 

Low-viscosity oils: Why the shift and is it worthwhile?

 

A growing number of OEMs now recommend 30-weight oils (such as 5W-30 or 10W-30) to help meet fuel economy and emissions targets. The challenge, however, is that these thinner lubricants must still deliver durability, thermal stability, and robust wear protection.

 

With EU emissions regulations driving cleaner engine design – especially around aftertreatment – lubricants have been forced to evolve. Modern low-viscosity oils must handle higher operating temperatures, increased EGR rates, and tighter tolerances without compromising performance.

 

Texaco Delo’s low-viscosity formulations are built from synthetic base stocks combined with advanced performance additives. The lubricants are formulated to help maintain protection under high shear stress, which can help fleets gain fuel economy advantages without sacrificing longevity.

 

Does using low-viscosity lubricants compromise engine durability?

 

This is a common industry concern, but modern lubricant chemistry has moved far beyond older assumptions. 

 

Manufacturers have introduced new engine platforms and aftertreatment systems that place additional stress on the oil. To meet these challenges, next-generation lubricants incorporate:

 

 

These developments help ensure that even with thinner oil films, equipment remains protected across extended service intervals.

 

Are Texaco Delo products field tested?

 

Yes, Delo formulations undergo rigorous global field trials, both in everyday fleet use and under Texaco’s formal development programmes. Real-world reliability is a core part of how these products are validated.

 

Do different duty cycles require different lubricant choices?

 

Modern oil specifications account for a wide spectrum of engine types, displacement levels, and operating patterns, including long-haul transport and urban ‘stop-start’ conditions. Multi-cylinder engine testing ensures that lubricants meet performance requirements across these varied duty cycles.

 

For support with specific applications, Texaco Lubricants provides an online product selector tool designed to help operators identify the right solution for their machinery. 

 

How do base oils and additives affect Texaco Delo performance?

 

The Delo range is built on Chevron’s ISOSYN^® technology – an approach that combines premium base oils with carefully engineered additive systems to deliver performance comparable to synthetic lubricants.

 

Products such as Delo 600 ADF are formulated to protect both engines and aftertreatment systems. By using ultra-low ash additives, they help to minimise build-up in DPFs and other components, reducing maintenance costs and downtime. A robust antioxidant system further supports oil life by resisting breakdown at high operating temperatures.

 

What challenges lie ahead for heavy-duty lubricants?

 

The most significant challenge for the sector is finding the right balance: optimising fuel economy, reducing emissions, controlling operating costs, and maintaining equipment durability.

 

Texaco Delo’s advanced formulations are designed to help fleets operate efficiently without compromising protection. Whether the priority is reducing downtime, cutting fuel expenditure, or extending component life, the Delo range is engineered to help support long-term savings and reliable performance. 

 

Discover the Delo range of products.