Oxidation can increase wear, retard performance and shorten equipment life.
Oxidation is the chemical degradation of the lubricant caused by a reaction with oxygen, primarily at high temperatures. While most lubricants contain special additives to inhibit oxidation, excessive oxidation can still occur under some operating conditions.
When it does occur, a wide variety of harmful by-products are produced, which increase component wear, retards performance and shortens equipment life.
| Causes | Effects |
| Overheating | Increased wear |
| Over-extended oil drain intervals | Decreased engine performance |
| Improper oil type / inhibitor | Shortened equipment life |
| Combustion by products / blow / by | Laquerd deposits |
| Oil filter plugging | |
| Increased oil viscosity | |
| Corrosion of metal parts | |
| increased acidity in oil | |
| Restricted oil flow |
| Recommendations |
| Shorten oil drain intervals |
| Check operating temperature |
| Check fuel quality |
| Investigate use of synthetic lubricants |
