Chevron has upgraded its North American product line to offer additional protection against a significant known cause of accelerated engine wear and damage.

Have you heard of an engine issue called “Low Speed Pre-Ignition” (LSPI)? If you own, service, or operate vehicles (or entire fuel fleet) with engines designed for greater fuel efficiency and lowered emissions, the chances are very good you know what we’re talking about. LSPI can cause significant pressure and engine damage when incorrectly managed. While its products were already formulated to combat LSPI, Chevron is taking the initiative to meet and exceed current guidelines as use of the redesigned engines become more common.

Commercial fuels and products to improve the performance of GDI engines

It’s a fact. The accelerated production and release of engines designed for greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions levels has created the drive for fuel service and products to keep up with the demands created.

In general, three major market factors are behind the change. The first is consumer demand. The second are regulations that require higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions from manufacturers. The third is the discovery of the increased wear and tear to engines designed for fuel efficiency.

What’s causing the increased wear and tear on engines? Here’s a brief overview of the issue. Greater engine efficiency is created in modern engines, in part, through the use of gasoline direct injection (GDI). This allows for efficiency with maintained engine power output. But, while the downsized modern engines are indeed more fuel efficient, the GDI process does come at a cost of additional in-cylinder pressure within the engine that can cause serious internal damage.

GDI-caused engine wear and failure can occur unpredictably, which makes it a hard risk factor to account for and prevent. (One way to tell that the LSPI is occurring is when the engine begins to make a “knocking” sound at low speeds transitioning to hard throttle.) For that reason, there is a need to improve oil and lubricants that will handle extreme pressure and conditions created in the engine.

Additionally, there is currently no ILSAC GF-6 industry standard for engine oils to deal with the issue, although there was an attempt to set one in 2016. The discussion on best practices continues, and experts are estimating a resolution by 2020.

But in the meantime, fuel service providers and their customers can’t afford to ignore the issue. The number of fuel efficient engines will only increase. Consider these additional statistics:

– GDI engines make up more than 50 percent of new car production
– The projected market growth for GDI engines is estimated at a 9 percent CAGR through 2025

Fuel fleet service information you can use

To date, Chevron Havoline ProDS Full Synthetic* SAE 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, and 10W-30 meets and exceeds the current standards and are your best choice in engine oil for GDI engines.

Additionally, Chevron is on the leading edge of engine oil products and services to meet and manage the issue of LSPI in GDI engines. From July through September, Chevron will be updating and reformulating the Chevron Havoline PCMO line, and Supreme. (Watch for new product codes, as well.)

If you’re not sure how this applies to your business, reach out to us. As your fuel service delivery provider, we can provide the info you need.

About Us:
The team at Greg’s Petroleum Service, your lubricant supplier and fuel delivery service provider in Bakersfield, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clarita or Ventura, California areas, is available to answer all of your questions about this and any other service. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to hearing from you!