With so many South African goods and services transported by roads, road transport and logistics accounts for approximately 10% of South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Therefore, efficient fleet management remains critical for the growth of the economy.

Fleet managers are under significant pressure to deliver profits that reflect the potential of the industry despite being impacted virtually immediately by the fluctuating oil price. According to Raymond Abraham, Commercial Technical Manager of Shell South Africa, “oil is extremely sensitive to developments in the Middle East. As a result, local fleet managers’ profits are continually under threat due to fuel price volatility, making it difficult to project – and maintain – margins.

“Opting for diesel vehicles is proving to be a smart way to go in many instances,” he says, given the relatively lower cost of diesel and correspondingly better fuel economy that can be achieved when compared to petrol engines. “Introducing more efficient vehicles is part of the solution and matching the correct lubricant to the vehicle is equally important.”

Increasingly, fleet managers are now combining original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and lubricant technology to improve efficiencies,” Abraham continues. This is where operators are able to extract ‘extra kilometres’ from their fleets, as well as reduce maintenance requirements, carbon emissions and smoke. “A basic understanding between synthetic and mineral oils can give fleet managers the confidence to gladly accept an oil change which will ultimately lead to a cleaner engine that operates more efficiently, delivers more power and consumes less fuel, says Abraham.

This is where operators are able to extract ‘extra kilometres’ from their fleets, as well as reduce maintenance requirements, carbon emissions and smoke. “A basic understanding between synthetic and mineral oils can give fleet managers the confidence to gladly accept an oil change which will ultimately lead to a cleaner engine that operates more efficiently, delivers more power and consumes less fuel, says Abraham.

The introduction of synthetic and semi-synthetic oils represents a significant change for the heavy-duty transport industry. Thanks to modern refining technology, today’s high -quality mineral oils provide adequate equipment protection and offers many benefits over traditional mineral oil-based engine oils.

Traditionally, lubricants have been based on mineral oil, a component of crude oil used in thousands of everyday applications from engines to cosmetics. Mineral base oils, however, are complex mixtures of naturally occurring hydrocarbons that may contain impurities. Synthetic lubricants, on the other hand, are made from chemicals selectively chosen and free of impurities.

An important function of lubrication, for example, is ensuring the engine continues to be protected under extreme temperatures, including cold starts, and at high operating temperatures. High-quality synthetic base oils are engineered for excellent low-temperature flow properties, high resistance to thermal degradation and low oil consumption. When combined with advanced additive technology, this results in products that are well placed to deliver best in class engine protection. Compared to some mineral oils, this means that synthetic products can help
to extend equipment life.

The latest generation of synthetic lubricants also fulfils additional functions that can help improve cost efficiencies. Traditionally, delivering enhanced fuel economy meant lower viscosity (thinner) oils, which helped to reduce friction in the engine but with the perceived trade-off of reduced engine protection. With the latest technologies, this trade-off is no longer a necessary. High-quality synthetic base oils and advanced additive technology used in synthetic products deliver the best all-round engine protection.