Some products work wonders. You buy a product thinking, “Eh, I’ll just try it,” and the next thing you know, you swear by it! Some products aren’t worth anything. You buy a product hoping it’ll help, only to find it to be a waste of money.
If only there were case studies and tests posted of each and every product so we could know what really does and doesn’t work before we spend our money…
Lubrication Specialties, Inc. knows how you feel, and the company put its Hot Shot’s Secret products to the test. MWS has the lowdown:
OVERVIEW
Lubrication Specialties, Inc. performed extensive product testing on Class 3-6 trucks owned by the City of Columbus. The test was intended to reduce service costs of regeneration cycles for the city, as well as reduce the harmful effects of fuel contamination in the engine oil. The following report highlights the service records of a 2008 Freightliner (M2-106-TA) with 132,009 miles. The tests were performed over a period of 5,000 miles and 400 hours of run time. The same procedure was performed on a 2013 F-550 6.7-L Powerstroke with 91,655 miles. Each test proved to yield a significant decrease in the need to perform regeneration cycles.
A regeneration cycle consists of cleaning out the soot residue from a truck’s diesel particulate filter (DPF). Cleaning is achieved through either a passive or active regeneration process. During a regeneration cycle, excess fuel is metered into the combustion chamber to increase the temperature of the exhaust in order to burn off soot. If the soot is not removed, the vehicle will emit dangerous pollutants into the air from the exhaust. Regeneration cycles require truck downtime, and if not done properly, will lead to expensive diesel particulate filter replacements. The line of duty for each of the tested trucks requires nearly 100 hours of idle time every month. During constant idle, the exhaust fails to reach the high temperatures needed to assist in the removal of soot resulting in a frequent need to perform regeneration cycles. If regenerations are performed more frequently than the manufacturer intended, the engine oil begins to become diluted with excess fuel that makes its way past the piston rings. Based on analysis, fuel dilution was the main problem the City of Columbus trucks faced as a result of the frequent regeneration cycles.
Using Hot Shot’s Secret fuel additives, regeneration cycles decreased from three times every month, to once every two months for each of the subject trucks. By reducing the need to perform regeneration cycles, the problem of fuel dilution in the engine oil was also resolved. It is evident that the Hot Shot’s Secret products had a dramatic effect on the performance of these trucks.
PROBLEMS:
- Frequent regeneration cycles with high costs in maintenance and downtime
- Fuel dilution from excessive regeneration cycles
- Loss of fuel economy
- Noticeable rough idling
TEST SUBJECT A
2008 FREIGHTLINER
COST ANALYSIS
During regeneration cycles, trucks run at high RPM to generate the heat needed to remove soot. By doing so, excessive amounts of fuel, DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) and labor are required. The process typically lasts for an equivalent of 30 miles and decreases the truck’s fuel economy to an average of 6 mpg. With an average diesel fuel price of $2.75/gal, each regeneration costs $14 in fuel alone. Average labor charges of $40/hour added an additional $80 to the total. Research suggests that DEF consumption during regeneration is about 3 percent of the truck’s fuel usage, which adds to the end cost. Based on each of these costs, a regeneration cycle for a truck of this size totals about $95 after fuel, DEF, and labor are factored.
RESULTS
Before this test, regeneration cycles were performed three times a month costing $3,420/year for this truck. After using Hot Shot’s Secret fuel additives, regeneration cycles were cut to once every two months. The city saved $2,640/year on this particular truck after considering the cost of a year’s supply of Hot Shot’s Secret product ($210).
MINIMIZE REGENERATION CYCLES
The initial cleanup was achieved by pouring Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Extreme into the fuel tanks and running the trucks close to empty. Diesel Extreme cleaned out the tank, lines, and injector tips, while improving the overall burn quality of the fuel. Cetane levels also improved, which provided quicker starts and faster warm-ups in cold temperatures. At each of the following fuel fill-ups, Hot Shot’s Secret Everyday Diesel Treatment was added to the tanks. This ensured that the entire fuel system remained clean and free of contamination while dramatically reducing the accumulation of soot in the DPF. To review this process, please refer to the service record history included at the end of this report.
TEST SUBJECT B
2013 F-550 6.7-L POWERSTROKE
COST ANALYSIS
The average regeneration process typically lasts for an equivalent of 30 miles and decreases the truck’s fuel economy to an average of 8 mpg. With an average diesel fuel price of $2.75/gal each regeneration costs $10 in fuel alone. Average labor charges of $40/hour added an additional $40 to the total. Research suggests that DEF consumption during regeneration is about 3 percent of the truck’s fuel usage, which also adds to the end cost. Based on each of these costs, a regeneration cycle for a truck of this size totals roughly $51 after fuel, DEF, and labor are factored.
RESULTS
Before this test, regeneration cycles were performed three times a month costing $1,830/year for this truck. After using Hot Shot’s Secret fuel additives, regeneration cycles were cut to once every two months. The City of Columbus was able to save $1,391/year on this particular truck after considering the cost of a year’s supply of Hot Shot’s Secret product ($135) for this truck.
BENEFITS/RESULTS:
- Annual savings of $2,640/truck for Freightliner
- Annual savings of $1,391/truck for F-550
- Reduced need for regeneration cycles
- Increased fuel economy
- Resolved fuel dilution issues
- Increased DPF life
CONCLUSION
Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Extreme and Everyday Diesel Treatment had a dramatic effect on the regeneration cycle frequency based on the service records provided. As previously stated, fuel dilution was a major issue with the City of Columbus due to the frequent regeneration cycles. Oil analysis consistently showed an “excessive” amount of fuel in the oil. After eliminating the need to perform frequent regenerations, the oil analysis for both trucks now show an “acceptable” level of fuel contaminants within the oil.
Between the two subject trucks alone, the City of Columbus was able to save a total of $4,031 every year in maintenance, while extending the life of both engines. Statements from the drivers of the trucks also revealed that the vehicles ran better overall while using Hot Shot’s Secret products.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Lubrication Specialties, Inc. specializes in hard-to-handle lubrication areas. The company’s goal is to figure out the problem and fix it using lubrication, additives, or available equipment. Hot Shot’s Secret family of products provides problem-specific solutions to diesel truck owners around the world. Find out more, visit www.hotshotsecret.com.
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS: MARCH 2018 ISSUE
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