A person wearing black gloves pours motor oil from a container into a car engine.

Optimizing Lubricant Performance in Logistics Fleets

A person wearing black gloves pours motor oil from a container into a car engine.
Issues

There was no consistent lubricant brand or viscosity grade used across the fleet. Maintenance teams applied different change intervals based on experience, not data. Oil analysis was rare, and lubricant performance was not tracked in any centralized way. The client had no baseline for evaluating lubricant effectiveness or benchmarking consumption against mileage, leading to excessive consumption and avoidable engine wear.

Solution

We implemented a lubricant performance optimization program across all operational regions. This included harmonizing lubricant selection to a single approved supplier, implementing condition-based oil change intervals using telematics and oil sampling, and setting up a lubricant performance dashboard tied to vehicle fuel efficiency and uptime metrics. We also developed depot-specific training and checklists to standardize application.

Approach
  • Audited 18 depot maintenance operations to assess lubricant use variance.

  • Selected high-performance engine oils with longer drain intervals and OEM approval.

  • Introduced predictive maintenance protocols using oil analysis kits.

  • Built digital dashboard integrating fuel, uptime, and lubricant usage.

  • Trained 200+ mechanics on correct application, storage, and diagnostics.

  • Implemented pilot program on 300 trucks to benchmark improvement.

Recommendations:
  • Adopt condition-based oil change schedules using usage and sampling data.

  • Unify lubricant sourcing to improve procurement leverage and quality control.

  • Train depot managers on interpreting oil analysis results.

  • Integrate lubricant KPIs into overall fleet performance reporting.

  • Conduct quarterly performance reviews across depots to flag outliers.

Engagement ROI

Within 12 months, lubricant consumption dropped by 27%, and vehicle uptime improved by 11%. The client saved over SAR 4.6 million annually in reduced lubricant cost, extended service intervals, and improved engine life. Fuel economy improved by 4.2% on optimized fleets. The digital dashboard enabled predictive maintenance alerts, reducing breakdowns. The consulting engagement yielded a 5.2x ROI.