Wix Filters, a member of the Affinia Group family of brands, introduced ecoLast, which it says is a revolutionary line of heavy-duty oil filters proven to double oil life and save fleets $100 to $200 per vehicle annually.
The oil filters capture dirt and soot like a traditional filter, while utilizing media to sequester the acids in the oil. Current extended drain technologies, such as time-release additives, sacrificial elements, on-board refining and bypass filtration, are all limited by build up of acidity levels, according to the company.
According to the filter maker, typical fleets that average four oil changes per vehicle per year can save approximately $100 to $200 per vehicle annually using ecoLast filters when compared to oil changes using standard oil filters.
“WIX has conducted significant real-world testing during the past 24 months with many of the most popular original equipment diesel engines, from small engines and generators to over-the-road and off-road heavy duty engines, in North America and Europe,” said Norbert Schuermann, vice president original equipment sales and new business development, Wix Filters. “This new filter media was engineered to be the answer to the change from CI-4 to CJ-4 lubricants, because CJ-4 oils contain fewer additives and therefore have reduced acid neutralization capability. Filter media durability and all other components were tested and confirmed to meet these extended drain intervals.”
The oil filters are a direct replacement with no changes or modification required to the vehicle. The filtration media, which has no similar competition on the market, does not rely on slow release technology. Wix ecoLast oil filters have proven effective with conventional and synthetic lubes, and works with biodiesel, LPG, gasoline and diesel fuels, the company said.
Wix noted it plans to make the filters available for heavy-duty over-the-road applications. The first ecoLast oil filters will be available between February and April 2011 for the following engines: Cummins ISX, Cummins M11, Mack MP8, Detroit DD60, Caterpillar C13 and Caterpillar C15.
