The company, based in Bassens, south western France, operates a fleet of 18 Renault and Volvo trucks.
Following recommendations by Péchavy Lubrifiants, a Mobil-authorised distributor, and Thomas Cravarezza, an ExxonMobil CV lubricants specialist, Transports PFT undertook the seven-month trial.
The firm replaced an industry standard SAE 15W-40 engine oil with Mobil Delvac 1 LE 5W-30 in two of its trucks. The remainder of the fleet continued to use the SAE 15W-40 oil.
Fuel economy performance of the two Euro 5 test trucks and two control vehicles – which were operated under similar road and weather conditions – was then monitored daily using Volvo’s Dynafleet telematics system.
Since the trial, Transports PFT has converted its entire 18-strong truck fleet to Mobil Delvac 1 LE 5W-30, and chief executive Stéphane Fiacre says he is anticipating overall savings of €13,100 per year.
“We are extremely happy to have followed Péchavy’s advice and trialled Mobil Delvac 1 – and observed such unequivocal results,” comments Fiacre.
“Fuel economy really is one of our primary concerns, so the potential for savings through such a simple switchover is hugely positive and exciting for our business.”
Longer drain intervals, which help to cut fleet maintenance time, were also made possible, he adds, following monitoring of the test trucks using oil analysis.