Caltex launches new Delo 400 MGX asserting 80,000km oil change interval

Manila, 29 March 2017—Chevron Philippines, Inc., marketer of Caltex fuel and lubricants, has launched the reformulated Caltex Delo® 400 MGX SAE 15W-40 heavy duty diesel engine oil asserted to bring 80,000km between oil-changes on new and old engines, and formulated for excessive heat levels and even for the varying sulphur content in diesel fuel across the Asian region. Its specifications portraying it as so robust, Chevron saw fit to introduce the product gradually after its global launch in Malaysia last July, now launching it here only after they’ve prepared for what they anticipate to be a skeptical market.

Chevron launched their new Delo 400 MGX in the Philippines only after supplementing international findings with extended field tests done locally. They’ve partnered up with provincial bus operator Pangasinan Five Star Bus and city bus operator HM Transport, Inc. to test the new engine oil on several of their fleet units, the official launch happening only after completion of the first of three planned oil-change cycles on these vehicles.

Manuel C. Valerio, Chevron Philippines technical manager for finished lubricants, explains that the asserted 80,000km or 1,000 hours of engine running time between oil-changes applies to transport diesels on highway routes. The number translates to 60,000km in city operation, and 40,000km in industrial applications (such as on dump-trucks and other earth movers) based on maintenance practices in developed markets such as the US and Europe. In contrast, Valerio says that Philippine provincial and city bus operators implement oil changes every 15,000 and 12,000km, respectively, on vehicles with new or old engines. Valerio emphasizes that “Filipinos have that best practice when it comes to maintenance because they really put value in their equipment.”

Technical briefing at the official launch event for Caltex Delo 400 MGX

Valerio says that the increase in engine oil life and the savings this entails in operating expenses are so dramatic that they are mindful of their customers’ scepticism with their claims for Delo 400 MGX, and this even in light of the popularity of their Delo line in the local market. With their field tests with Five Star and HM Transport, Chevron is advocating gradual adoption of Delo 400 MGX and eventual acceptance of its full operating lifespan. Referring to Chevron’s tests in other Asian countries vis-à-vis locally accepted oil-change regimens, Valerio says: “We are quite a bit conservative compared with our neighboring countries. That is because the [fleet managers] have been used to that maintenance practice.”

The testing with Five Star and HM Transport has been going on for three months now, with the first oil change already done at conventional 15,000 and 12,000km intervals for the provincial and city bus operators, respectively. Currently testing with buses on their second oil change cycle, Valerio says they are now “encouraging them to extend to a little more than double [the interval].” For this second oil-change cycle, they are aiming to increase the interval from 15,000 to 30,000km with Five Star’s provincial buses, and from 12,000 to 25,000 with HM Transport’s city buses, Valerio says. By the time they complete their testing with a third oil change cycle later this year year, Valerio says they hope to have extended the intervals to those approaching the 80,000km potential of their new Delo 400 MGX.

Chevron officers lead the toast to the launch of the new Caltex Delo 400 MGX diesel engine oil

With the new Delo 400 MGX priced at the same level as their old MG formulation, Chevron is not levying a price increase on their improved product. With the new MGX reformulation resulting in longer oil-change intervals and therefore lower consumption, these indicate that Chevron intends to recoup their development costs through increased market share, making their gradual and well studied introduction of the new product even more remarkable.

<SOURCE> Press Statement by Chevron Philippines, Inc. “High-Performance Caltex Delo® 400 MGX Engine Oil Launched in the Philippines,” 2017:

New Caltex lubricant with ISOSYN technology provides unmatched protection in both high- & low-sulfur diesel fuel environments

MANILA, Philippines, March 29, 2017 – Chevron, marketer of the Caltex™ brand, unveiled its latest premium diesel engine oil, Caltex Delo® 400 MGX SAE 15W-40, to address commercial business needs while meeting stringent Philippine emission regulations. The revolutionary formulation constitutes a higher specification and is specially designed to comply with Philippine market requirements. It will benefit both new and old diesel engines and allow customers to utilize just one heavy-duty engine oil that operates efficiently in both high- and low-sulfur diesel fuel environments.

“Introducing the Caltex Delo® 400 MGX SAE 15W-40 to the Philippine market is proof of our commitment to provide customers with ground-breaking products that not only boost performance, but also reduce operating costs and maximize diesel engine durability,” said Lennard Kwek, Asia Pacific Marketing Manager, Chevron Lubricants.

The Caltex Delo® product range includes lubricants and coolants that provide premium protection, performance and bottom-line value for on- and off-road diesel-powered equipment. These products are utilized in all major heavy industries such as commercial transportation, construction, mining, agriculture and power generation.

Delo®’s industry-leading lubricants have logged 2.4 million kilometers and countless hours offering superior protection to diesel engine parts for smooth vehicle and equipment operations. Thoroughly field-tested in trucks using up to 5000ppm diesel fuel sulfur levels, the Caltex Delo® 400 MGX has demonstrated an exceptional performance capability in neutralizing harmful acids and retaining alkalinity in extended-drain operations.

“Heavy industry players are grappling with challenges such as excessive occupational heat exposure and maintaining an age-diverse fleet operating in both high- and ultra-low sulphur environments. With the local launch of the Caltex Delo ® 400 MGX, an American Petroleum Institute (API) and American and European Original Equipment Manufacturers’ (OEM) standard compliant diesel engine oil, heavy industries can finally experience synthetic-like performance at the cost of mineral products, significantly reducing premium lubrication costs,” said Joseph Bronfman, Area Business Manager, Finished Lubricants Philippines & Vietnam.

Advanced formulation and innovative ISOSYN® Technology

Chevron uses ISOSYN® Technology in top-tier Delo® product formulation. ISOSYN® Technology combines premium base oils, high performance additives and the company’s formulation expertise to deliver excellent diesel engine part protection at a competitive value. The Caltex Delo® 400 MGX SAE 15W-40’s new advanced formula delivers excellent soot dispersancy, wear protection and sludge control to guard against loss of engine life and help reduce oil consumption.

Caltex Delo® 400 MGX SAE 15W-40 also has the added advantage of a single fleet oil, which reduces the need for multiple diesel engine oils. Specifically developed to meet local emission regulations, OEM requirements and local market performance specification, Delo® with ISOSYN® helps extend service protection and optimize engine durability and operating costs.

The newly launched Caltex Delo® 400 MGX SAE 15W-40 is currently available in drum and gallon packaging through our appointed distributors at the same price as Delo 400 MG’s SRP.