Mobil Delvac Modern™ Super Defense 15W-40 (CI-4) Engine Oil

Mobil Delvac Modern™ 15W-40 Super Defense (CI-4) Engine Oil available in bulk in the Western Cape

The Proven 1000 hour long drain interval (LDI) Solution for fleets  

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Strategic Operational Cost Reduction: Moving Beyond Price-Per-Litre

For heavy-duty fleet operations in South Africa, engine oil selection is a critical determinant of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), reliability, and operational uptime, not merely a procurement exercise focused on the lowest price-per-litre. The Mobil Delvac Modern™ 15W-40 Super Defense (MPC157649) is an Extra High Performance Diesel Engine Oil (HPDO) specifically engineered to deliver superior protection and measurable financial returns through validated extended drain intervals (LDI).

This product is formulated to outperform standard CI-4 oils by addressing the fundamental demands of modern, high-output, low-emission diesel engines, as well as providing robust protection for legacy equipment operating on low or high sulphur fuel. Tighter engine designs and increased combustion temperatures place higher thermal stress on lubricants, while greater fuel injection pressures lead to increased soot load and oil thickening. Mobil Delvac Modern 15W-40 Super Defense leverages a combination of high performance base stocks and a progressive additive system to counteract these severe conditions, ensuring the lubricant retains its integrity over significantly longer service periods.

The Mobil Advantage: Performance Engineered for SA Conditions

The Mobil Delvac Modern 15W-40 Super Defense formulation integrates several key features that provide foundational protection and enable the substantial extension of oil drain intervals (ODI), even under the rigorous operating conditions typical of South African mining, construction, and road transport sectors.

High Thermal, Oxidation Stability, and TBN Reserves

High thermal and oxidation stability is essential for resisting chemical degradation, which is accelerated by high engine temperatures and prolonged service hours. This stability directly results in reduced sludge build-up, lower deposit formation, and superior control over viscosity increase, ensuring the oil remains effective throughout its extended life cycle.

Furthermore, the product boasts significant Total Base Number (TBN) reserves. The TBN measures the oil’s capacity to neutralize harmful acids created during the combustion process, particularly when high-sulphur diesel fuel is used. With a typical TBN value of 11.0 mg KOH/g , the lubricant maintains superior acid neutralization for prolonged periods, preventing corrosive wear on critical engine components and protecting the engine against degradation, thereby underpinning the feasibility of extended ODIs. This high reserve capacity ensures deposit control and sustained acid neutralisation well beyond the capabilities of many conventional CI-4 products.

Viscosity Control, Shear Stability, and Soot Management

Maintaining consistent viscosity across varying loads and temperatures is crucial for wear protection. Mobil Delvac Modern 15W-40 Super Defense features excellent stay-in-grade shear stability. This means the oil resists permanent viscosity loss, guaranteeing optimal film thickness and consistent wear protection between moving parts even after prolonged mechanical stress within the engine. This feature is critical for the maintenance of performance across a demanding 500-hour operational cycle.

Modern low-emission engines produce higher levels of soot. The advanced detergency and dispersancy package in the Mobil Delvac formulation ensures improved soot handling. This capacity prevents the soot from aggregating, which reduces oil thickening and maintains the oil’s pumpability, even when heavily contaminated. The outcome is cleaner engines, reduced filter plugging, and consequently, a longer component life and controlled viscosity.

Biodiesel Compatibility and Component Integrity

The product is certified as biodiesel compatible*, having been tested to meet the stringent limits defined in ACEA E7-22 (based on CEC L-109-14 modified with palm B100 testing). As mixed fleets navigate the gradual shift towards incorporating biodiesel blends, this compatibility future-proofs the lubricant choice. Biodiesel can introduce unique challenges, such as increased oxidation potential and deposit formation; the robust Mobil Delvac chemistry successfully mitigates these risks.

Additionally, excellent low-temperature properties, exemplified by a Pour Point of −39 ∘C , provide exceptional fluidity during cold starts, offering vital protection against start-up wear. Component compatibility is further ensured, resulting in a longer gasket and seal life, which translates directly to reduced leakage and reduced non-scheduled maintenance events.

The Quantified ROI: The South African LDI Case Study

The single most powerful competitive advantage of Mobil Delvac Modern 15W-40 Super Defense in the South African market is its verified, quantifiable performance in local operational environments. The value proposition moves from generalized claims to a concrete, multi-million Rand return on investment.

Local Field Study Validation

A definitive field study was conducted by African Group Lubricants (AG Lubricants) in collaboration with a large local construction company operating a diverse fleet across heavy-duty off-highway applications in South Africa. The objective was to test the performance boundaries of Mobil Delvac Modern 15W-40 Super Defense, specifically targeting an increase in the oil drain interval (ODI) beyond conventional maintenance schedules.

The testing utilized a Komatsu HD465-7 rigid dump truck—a high-value asset subjected to extremely rigorous conditions—as the test vehicle. Through regular used-oil analysis and stringent performance monitoring, the lubricant demonstrated sustained high thermal and oxidation stability, alongside controlled viscosity and reduced deposit formation throughout the test period.

The 400% Uptime Gain and Financial Metrics

The results of the study demonstrated that the ODI could be safely and successfully extended from the fleet’s standard operational interval of 250 hours to 1,000 operational hours. This four-fold extension in service life directly addresses the user's focus on long drain intervals and provides a massive competitive edge in fleet management.

Extending the drain interval by 750 hours per cycle drastically reduces the frequency of maintenance, labor hours, and, most critically, non-productive downtime. This focus on maximizing uptime is where the true competitive financial gain is realised, as avoiding unnecessary idling and maintenance bay time fundamentally lowers the true cost of operation.

The consolidated annual benefits projected from this successful extension across the construction company’s fleet were substantial and highly localized:

Table Title: Verified Cost Savings: Mobil Delvac Modern 15W-40 Super Defense SA Case Study

The achievement of revenue savings approximated at R4,749,591 validates the decision to transition lubricant selection based on TCO and longevity. These savings stem predominantly from productivity gains and the reduced need for labor and associated maintenance costs. Furthermore, the reduction in oil usage by 17,328 litres annually, coupled with 608 fewer exposure hours for maintenance teams, addresses critical Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) mandates and improves overall fleet reliability and safety protocols.

Competitive Positioning and TCO Analysis

The heavy-duty diesel engine oil segment in South Africa is highly competitive. While these competitors' alternatives are strong performers, the strategic difference offered by Mobil Delvac Modern 15W-40 Super Defense lies in its proven ability to extend operational hours and deliver quantifiable financial returns, shifting the cost conversation decisively towards TCO.

The Mobil Delvac formulation, evidenced by its robust TBN of 11.0 mg KOH/g  and high thermal stability, provides the necessary platform for supreme performance. Critically, only Mobil Delvac Modern 15W-40 Super Defense provides locally verified, absolute proof of quadrupled drain intervals (up to 1,000 operational hours) resulting in multi-million Rand savings. The argument against conventional lubricants is that despite lower upfront costs, the associated labor, downtime, and frequent filter replacements required by shorter ODIs ultimately create a higher total operational expenditure. The Mobil solution challenges fleets to break the 250-hour habit by offering a solution designed for longevity.

Pricing Structure for Operational Scale

Orbit Industrial, as the official agent, ensures authentic supply and competitive local pricing for all scales of operation, from top-ups to bulk fleet procurement.

The price point is justified not by the cost of the fluid itself, but by the avoidance of nearly 75% of scheduled maintenance events over the operational year, directly reducing non-revenue generating time and delivering guaranteed savings that far exceed the unit cost of the oil.

Detailed Technical Specifications and OEM Compliance

Fleet managers and maintenance engineers require precise technical data to confirm compatibility and compliance. Mobil Delvac Modern 15W-40 Super Defense meets or exceeds the specifications of virtually all major European and American engine manufacturers, making it an excellent solution for simplifying inventory in mixed fleet operations (gasoline, LPG, naturally aspirated, and turbocharged diesel).

OEM Approvals: 

Also meets and exceeds the specifications of:

Technical Data Summary (TDS)

The typical physical and chemical properties confirm the high-quality base oil and additive package essential for extended service intervals.

Table Title: Mobil Delvac Modern 15W-40 Super Defense Key Technical Data (TDS Summary)