8 SERVICE TRUCK Pulse March 2026 9 SERVICE TRUCK Pulse March 2026 LUBRICANTS KARIN HAUMANN, OEM TECHNICAL SERVICE MANAGER, SHELL ROTELLA Winter storms across North America have delivered heavy snowfall and prolonged cold snaps this season, creating tough conditions for keeping trucks operating efficiently. Many regions face this challenge every year, and forecasts suggest that frigid temperatures will persist in several areas, putting added strain on engines, batteries, and other critical components. Understanding the benefits of using high-quality, lowviscosity engine oils in winter conditions is essential for protecting engines against harsh cold. Engine oil is the lifeblood of a truck’s engine, delivering the protection and performance needed to operate reliably. Choosing a low-viscosity oil during winter can improve cold-weather efficiency while helping reduce wear, minimize downtime, and avoid costly repairs that can add up quickly. High vs. Low Viscosity When temperatures drop significantly, higher-viscosity 15W-40 engine oils flow more slowly at startup, delaying lubrication to critical engine components. Viscosity measures a fluid’s resistance to flow at a given temperature, and in cold conditions, lower-viscosity oils move more freely through the engine. This faster circulation helps protect vital parts sooner, reducing wear during cold starts. One of the most versatile low-viscosity options is 10W30, which can often be used in place of 15W-40 across a wide range of diesel engine applications. The first number (before the W) reflects how easily the oil flows at low temperatures, while the second number indicates its viscosity once the engine is fully warmed up. A lower first number—10 instead of 15—means the oil flows more easily at low temperatures, which helps with cold starts and reduces wear during those first few seconds of operation. Once the engine is hot, both 10W 30 and 15W 40 behave according to their second number, so the “10 vs. 15” difference only matters in cold-weather performance. At low temperatures, 10W-30 is designed to flow more readily, providing faster lubrication and helping reduce friction on key components such as bearings and piston rings during startup. The advantages of low-viscosity engine oils extend far beyond just internal engine protection. Faster starts in cold weather reduce strain on the battery and starter motor, helping extend component life and lowering the risk of breakdowns during the most demanding months of the year. Full synthetic oils like Shell Rotella T6 10W-30 are specifically formulated to deliver consistent protection and performance when temperatures plunge. Engine Oil for Extreme Cold In extremely cold environments, ultra-low viscosity oils such as 5W-40 or 0W-40 are recommended. These formulations are designed to perform in the harshest winter conditions, enabling smoother startups and reliable protection even in sub-zero temperatures. This is particularly important for fleets operating in northern or remote regions where extreme cold is common. In many cases, 10W-30, 5W-40, or 0W-40 engine oils can be used during winter months instead of a traditional 15W-40. Before making a switch, operators should always consult the engine owner’s manual or work with a trusted service provider or dealer to ensure the selected oil meets the engine manufacturer’s recommendations. Beyond cold-weather performance, low-viscosity full synthetic engine oils can deliver benefits year-round. These oils help improve fuel efficiency, maintain engine cleanliness, and support long-term durability, while also contributing to reduced emissions across a wide range of operating conditions. Going Low As winter continues to challenge drivers and fleets across North America, selecting the right engine oil is one of the most effective steps operators can take to protect their equipment and maintain uptime. Low-viscosity, full synthetic engine oils are engineered to perform in extreme cold, helping engines start easily, run more efficiently, and stay protected when conditions are toughest. By choosing an oil designed for cold-weather performance and aligned with OEM (original equipment manufacturer) recommendations, fleets can reduce wear, minimize downtime, and keep trucks operating safely and reliably through even the harshest winters. For more on Shell Rotella and its line-up of lubricants, visit www.rotella.shell.com. ANDREW JOSEPH, EDITOR In mid-February, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a sweeping rule that repeals the 2009 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Endangerment Finding for motor vehicles and eliminates all federal GHG emission standards for model years 2012 through 2027 and beyond. The action dismantles the regulatory framework that has governed vehicle‑related GHG compliance for more than a decade, including reporting, certification, and credit‑based programs built around the original finding. The agency described the repeal as the largest deregulatory action in its history, projecting more than $1.3 trillion in reduced regulatory costs. According to the rule, automakers and engine manufacturers will no longer be required to measure, report, certify, or comply with federal GHG limits, nor will they participate in GHG credit programs or submit GHG‑specific certification data. The EPA estimates an average cost reduction of more than $2,400 per vehicle due to the removal of greenhouse gas-related compliance obligations. The 2009 Endangerment Finding had concluded that six greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, contributed to air pollution that could endanger public health and welfare. That determination enabled the EPA to regulate motor‑vehicle GHG emissions under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act and to establish the first federal GHG standards beginning with the 2012 model year. The new rule states that Section 202(a) does not provide statutory authority for regulating motor‑vehicle GHG emissions in the manner previously used. In reevaluating the legal basis for the Endangerment Finding, the EPA cited several court decisions—including Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, West Virginia v. EPA, Michigan v. EPA, and Utility Air Regulatory Group v. EPA— as grounds for concluding that the earlier interpretation exceeded the authority granted by Congress. The agency asserts that major policy decisions of this scale must be explicitly authorized by legislation rather than administrative action. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the repeal is intended to align EPA practice with statutory limits, stating: “The Endangerment Finding has been the source of 16 years of consumer choice restrictions and trillions of dollars in hidden costs for Americans.” The rule also eliminates all off‑cycle credits, which previously allowed manufacturers to earn compliance credits for technologies not directly measured on standard emissions tests, such as start‑stop systems. The EPA said removing the credit structure simplifies compliance and removes incentives tied specifically to GHG‑related technologies. While the repeal ends federal GHG‑specific requirements, it does not affect regulations governing criteria pollutants or hazardous air pollutants. Standards for nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide remain fully in place. State‑level programs and non‑GHG federal emissions rules also remain unaffected. The agency noted that the rule follows Executive Order 14154, issued in early 2025, which directed a review of the Endangerment Finding. The EPA initiated reconsideration in March 2025, issued a proposed rule in July 2025, and finalized the action in February 2026 after a 52‑day public comment period that generated more than 572,000 comments. For truck, engine, and vocational‑vehicle manufacturers, the repeal removes GHG‑specific compliance obligations but leaves traditional emissions requirements unchanged. The EPA said the change provides regulatory certainty and allows companies to plan future product development without federal GHG mandates. How low can you go? Low-viscosity oils provide strong engine protection in extreme cold climates. EPA repeals Vehicle GHG Standards and 2009 Endangerment Finding New rule eliminates federal greenhouse‑gas requirements, reporting systems, and credit programs for automakers. GOVERNMENT Shell Rotella T6 50W 40 can be added during scheduled maintenance, helping protect diesel engines from cold start wear and supporting consistent performance in harsh conditions. Photo courtesy of Shell Rotella Greggory DiSalvo/iStock/Getty Images Plus Photo
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQyMDk=