No matter what you use your generator for, ensuring your system operates efficiently and has adequate protection from wear and tear is crucial. Your generator maintenance program keeps your business running and well-equipped to meet the demands of your clients and industry. With the best oil for your generator, you’ll experience less downtime and fewer repair requirements, helping your business remain competitive and able to perform at its highest potential.
If you’re unsure what type of oil a generator uses or what differences arise when using car motor oil vs. diesel generator oil for your equipment, check out our guide.
The oil in your generator serves several important functions, from boosting performance to extending your system’s longevity. The right oil provides sufficient lubrication to reduce friction, aid in heat dissipation and protect moving parts from wear and tear over long-term usage.
Without oil, your generator may struggle to work smoothly, require frequent or costly repairs and reach the end of its life span too early.
Technically, a diesel generator is a hardy system that can use motor oil for lubrication and fuel. However, the equipment is intended to run on diesel. It’s important to keep in mind that just because it will run on motor oil doesn’t mean that you should consistently power your generator on motor oil instead of using specialized diesel engine oil as the fuel source.
Motor oil is formulated differently than diesel and doesn’t offer the same benefits. A diesel generator operates differently than an engine and requires different properties and additives in order to run effectively and protect components. It can cause a buildup in your generator, which will then need to be cleared out. Long-term use can result in a loss of efficiency and even possible engine damage.
For one-off or emergency situations, using motor oil is fine, but to ensure your equipment operates as it should and performs its best, fueling your generator with diesel and choosing a suitable oil for lubrication is key.
Because diesel generators usually run for longer periods of time and often face regular high-load demands, it’s essential to find an oil formulated to ensure the system can easily withstand these conditions. You can usually determine the best oil for your generator by checking your owner’s manual to find specifications from your generator’s manufacturer.
Because every generator is different and designed for various operational demands, each one will have unique requirements. When you use the oil recommended by the manufacturer, you can feel confident knowing it will work with your model and operational demands — and extend the life span to ensure you get the most value out of your generator.
At Thompson Power Systems, we make it easy for you to keep your business operating at peak performance. Beyond helping you select the best oil for your diesel generator, we offer services like Thompson Fuel Solutions to give you access to quality fuels designed to support your system’s needs.
As part of our preventive maintenance services, we do more than just make sure your generator has the right type of oil. We can assist with a range of preventive services, including developing a fuel conditioning solution and finding potential fuel issues, to help your business avoid costly repairs and downtime in the future. Taking care of potential issues early on will ensure your business is powered for the future.
Since our founding over 65 years ago, Thompson Power Systems has served Alabama and Northwest Florida, providing the top-quality power and fuel solutions businesses in our communities need. We are a proud division of The Thompson Tractor Company, so you can trust us to help you find the right equipment and solutions for every job.
While we specialize in providing critical power, you can count on our solutions and product support to meet your needs and exceed your expectations. Throughout our years in business, we’ve come to be known for our performance, reliability and quality — and look forward to helping you experience the same.
Whether you know exactly which oil your generator runs on or you need some guidance in choosing the right kind, Thompson Power Systems is your go-to team of experts. With the guidance of our highly skilled technicians and unmatched customer service, finding the right oil for your diesel generator has never been easier. Whether you want to improve the performance of existing equipment or are looking for a new generator that meets your needs, we can help.
Give us a call at 205-849-4361 or fill out our online contact form today to get started.
