The History of Oil Analysis

You may not think so, but there’s quite the history behind oil analysis. In fact, it was first used after World War II by the U.S. railroad industry to monitor the health of trains. Thanks to oil analysis, the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad’s research lab was able to successfully detect diesel engine problems in 1946. The development of the spectrograph turned out to be a key factor in their findings. At the time, this instrument replaced several wet chemical methods for detecting and measuring iron, copper, and other chemical elements. Keep reading to learn more about oil analysis and how you can benefit from an oil analysis test kit.

In 1955, oil analysis reached the point to where the U.S. Bureau of Naval Weapons could begin a major research program to adopt wear metal analysis for use in aircraft component failure prediction. Keep in mind that these studies provided the foundation for the Joint Oil Analysis Program, which involves all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. The JOAP proved that increases in component wear could be confirmed by detecting increases in the wear metal content of the lubricating oil. Three years later, Pacific Intermountain Express became the first trucking company to set up an in-house oil analysis lab dedicated to controlling vehicle maintenance costs. By 1960, the first independent commercial oil analysis lab was formed.

How Important is Oil Analysis?

You may be wondering, “What’s so great about oil analysis?” Simply put, it’s a quick and affordable way to figure out the health of your equipment. The majority of folks rarely think about what is healthy for their engine, transmission, or differentials. Then when they take their vehicle in for standard maintenance, they wind up with a major problem. Oil analysis can put your mind at ease because it allows any issues to be addressed and scheduled long before extensive damage is done. Regular oil analysis can prevent any sort of sudden breakdown from occurring altogether.

How UnderMyHood Can Help

For more than four decades, our team has been helping folks invest in oil analysis. We’ve watched as the industry has changed in countless ways, and yet, our mindset remains the same. We strive to provide the most accurate results possible in the shortest amount of time. There are oil analysis companies out there that make customers wait weeks or months to get their results. Because we truly care about the safety of you and your vehicle, we make it a point to get customers their results within days.

Whether you’re a fan of off-roading, 4-wheeling, or jeeping, it’s a good idea to consider oil analysis for your vehicle. You can feel comfortable knowing that our testing procedures are ASTM-approved, so there’s no negative impact on the environment. If you’re looking to get the most out of your equipment, then oil analysis is a must. Know that by sampling regularly and creating a trend, you can spot potential problem areas that fall outside the normal limits.

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