As a traditional trucking business rooted in maintenance practices handed down through the generations, Hardline Trucking was cautious about making changes that might impact their equipment. Oil drain intervals were capped at 12,000–13,000 miles to protect their engines, and they relied on a local, house-blended oil. Focusing on their customers and growing their business meant that optimizing vehicle maintenance was not typically prioritized. This approach resulted in frequent oil changes that were costly, time-consuming and disruptive – especially during busy seasons when trucks would need servicing at external shops far from home.

The Hardline team lacked the time and data to explore whether they could safely push these limits, and convincing their seasoned mechanic to move away from traditional methods was a significant hurdle. That’s where Valley Pacific Petroleum Service and the DURON™ Challenge came in.

Greg Fee, Territory Manager at Valley Pacific Petroleum Services, introduced the team at Hardline Trucking to Petro-Canada Lubricants’ DURON SHP 10W-30 as part of the DURON Challenge. By presenting a step-by-step approach backed by data, Greg helped Hardline understand the possibilities of extending their oil drain intervals and improving efficiency.

With thorough oil sampling and testing, the team saw firsthand that their engines could run safely on DURON for far longer than they thought possible. Greg worked closely with the Hardline team, addressing their concerns, providing clear proof of results, and building trust. Even the company’s in-house mechanic, initially resistant to change, was convinced by the data and results, marking a turning point for the fleet.

Hardline Trucking experienced outstanding improvements:

Extended Oil Drain Intervals

Oil changes more than doubled, an increase from 12,000 to 30,000 miles, delivering annual savings of around $40K across the 17-truck fleet.

Improved Fuel Economy

Industry practice when moving to an SAE 30 grade from SAE 40 increases fuel economy, and they noticed a difference which equates to money in their pocket.

Minimized External Maintenance

Trucks could stay on the road longer without needing oil changes at external workshops, saving time, maintaining quality, and reducing downtime.

Uncovered efficiencies

By extending drain intervals and improving fuel economy, Hardline uncovered significant efficiencies that were previously out of reach for a company their size.