LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Chevron has announced the availability of a new engine oil for mobile natural gas engine applications.

Chevron Delo 400 NG SAE 15W-40 engine oil is formulated specifically for medium- and heavy-duty CNG- and LNG-fueled vehicles, Chevron announced at the Mid-America Trucking Show.

“There are numerous factors driving the adoption of natural gas vehicles, including significant domestic supply availability, lower fueling costs, reduced environmental impact, and growing CNG/LNG refueling support infrastructure,” said Jim Gambill, North America Delo brand manager. “As more fleets look to alternative fuel solutions to help reduce their carbon footprint and boost their bottom line, we felt it was important to offer an engine oil specifically designed to meet their needs. With Delo 400 NG, there is now a premium oil, designed specifically for heavy-duty natural gas vehicle engines, that will deliver the engine durability and reliability, extended oil drain performance, and long life protection our customers require to successfully operate today.”

Benefits include: improved performance; better engine cleanliness; enhanced oil oxidation and nitration control; and low wear performance, the company claims.

In an interview with Trucknews.com. Gambill said many fleets transitioning to natural gas fail to realize they need a new engine oil for those vehicles. The drain intervals are also significantly shorter – about 7,500 miles – because of the higher heat generation, Gambill said.

“It’s definitely something that gets overlooked,” he told Trucknews.com. He also advised fleets converting to natural gas to ensure they take the transition into account when they run their oil analysis programs. If the provider isn’t aware the oil sample came from a natural gas engine, they could provide misleading information, Gambill said.

“They need to make sure the supplier knows it’s in natural gas service,” he said. If fleets continue running their traditional motor oil through natural gas engines, he said they could see excessive deposits and all the related problems.

Gambill said Chevron has much experience providing oil for stationary natural gas-powered engines and has adapted that knowledge to the mobile market. While the company advises against extending drain intervals in natural gas applications without the consent of the OEM, Gambill said the new Chevron oil has doubled the recommended drain interval without problems.

The new natural gas oil will be available through traditional Chevron distribution channels beginning in June.