At first glance, the price tag of synthetic oil versus conventional oil can raise questions among fleet owners about cost savings and keeping a profit. Though up-front costs will increase, the copious benefits of synthetic oil can drive down costs from labor, maintenance, and even fuel consumed on an annual basis.
How does this happen? The answer lies in the synthetic oil’s makeup. Unlike conventional oil, which comes from crude oil and can contain multiple types of compound molecules, synthetic oil is manufactured to contain uniform hydrocarbon molecules. This uniformity improves resistance against oxidation and stabilizes viscosity in extreme temperatures, therefore maintaining oil thickness in hot conditions and flowing easily in cold starts. Not only does this translate to better protection and less wear, but it also translates to less oil breakdown over time and longer drain intervals.
Resource: Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil
If a truck from your fleet requires a conventional oil change 11 times per year or more, switching to a premium synthetic oil can nearly double the mileage between oil drain intervals (with some exceptions for extremely severe terrain or frequent stop-and-go driving). By switching to premium synthetic oil and cutting the number of oil changes almost in half, you could save thousands on oil, premium oil filters, and professional labor.
Less maintenance and higher productivity? Check. Fewer labor costs? Check. But there is another benefit that can be overlooked: fuel economy.
Since synthetic oil is known to be cleaner and create less friction, it is more energy and fuel-efficient. Even with a small, one percent increase in fuel efficiency, a fleet manager could make a significant dent in costs, especially with the rising cost of diesel fuel prices.
Let’s look at the math: If your truck hits roughly 110,000 miles annually, it will require 18,333 gallons of fuel based on an average of 6 mpg. At $4.08 per gallon of diesel fuel (the average cost as of August 2023), the cost of fuel adds up to $74,798.64 annually per truck and $1,495,972.80 for a 20-truck fleet. With a one percent increase in fuel efficiency, each truck would save about $747.99 annually for fuel. That is $14,959.73 in savings for a fleet of 20 trucks. For a fleet of 50 trucks, a fleet manager could save more than $35,000 per year!
It is hard to ignore the abundant advantages of switching to synthetic oil when it can reduce expenses related to labor and maintenance while also enhancing fuel economy. Already made the switch? Keller-Heartt can still help you cut down on costs without compromising on quality, especially when buying in bulk. Shop our full catalog of motor oil for your whole fleet.
