Oil Analysis

Oil analysis is a laboratory-based process that evaluates the condition of oil currently in service in an engine, gearbox, hydraulic system, or other lubricated equipment. A small oil sample is drawn from the machine and sent to a certified laboratory, where it is tested for indicators of wear, contamination, and lubricant degradation.

The results reveal what is happening inside your equipment without requiring disassembly or downtime. Elevated metal particles may indicate bearing or component wear. Contamination by water, coolant, or fuel can signal a developing leak or seal failure. Changes in viscosity or oxidation levels point to lubricant breakdown.

By catching these issues early, oil analysis allows maintenance teams to address problems before they become equipment failures — reducing repair costs, extending component life, and keeping operations running on schedule.

JB Dewar has provided fuel and lubricant services to California businesses since 1933. Our oil analysis program is an extension of that long-standing commitment — giving customers the diagnostic tools they need to manage equipment health and control maintenance costs.

Through our partnership with the Chevron LubeWatch program and independent laboratory ALS Tribology, JB Dewar delivers a structured, professionally supported oil analysis process. We help customers collect samples correctly, understand their results, and take appropriate action based on laboratory findings.

Our oil analysis services are available to businesses of all sizes across the California Central Coast, including customers in San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County.

The Chevron LubeWatch oil analysis program uses standardized test panels to evaluate multiple aspects of oil condition in a single sample submission. Each test provides a specific data point that, combined with the full panel, gives a comprehensive picture of both oil health and equipment condition.

Standard tests conducted through the LubeWatch program include:

• Viscosity — confirms oil is within the correct operating range for your application
• Wear metals — identifies particles from internal components such as bearings, gears, and cylinders
• Contamination — detects the presence of water, coolant, fuel, or outside debris
• Oxidation and nitration — measures lubricant degradation from heat and combustion byproducts
• Additive levels — monitors depletion of key performance additives

 

Results are delivered directly to you and JB Dewar by email, allowing our team to assist with interpretation and recommend any corrective action.

Oil analysis is used across a wide range of industries where equipment reliability and maintenance efficiency matter. JB Dewar serves customers in the following sectors throughout California:

• Agriculture and farming operations — tractors, harvesters, and irrigation equipment
• Transportation and trucking fleets — diesel engines and drivetrain components
• Construction and heavy equipment — excavators, loaders, and generators
• Industrial and manufacturing facilities — hydraulic systems and process equipment
• Vineyards and wineries — Central Coast agricultural equipment common to the region

 

For these businesses, catching a developing equipment issue through an oil sample is far less costly than an unplanned breakdown. Oil analysis gives maintenance managers the data they need to move from reactive repairs to proactive, technical services and scheduled maintenance.

Scheduled oil changes follow fixed intervals based on time or mileage, regardless of the actual condition of the oil. While this approach provides a baseline level of maintenance, it can result in either changing oil that still has service life remaining, or missing developing issues that fall between service intervals.

Oil analysis adds a diagnostic layer to any maintenance program. Rather than guessing at oil condition or relying solely on change intervals, oil analysis provides objective data on what is actually happening inside the equipment. This allows businesses to extend drain intervals where appropriate, identify equipment problems early, and make maintenance decisions based on evidence rather than estimates.

JB Dewar recommends oil analysis as a complement to existing maintenance schedules, alongside our bulk fuel and lube delivery service. When used together, regular oil changes and periodic oil analysis provide the most complete picture of equipment health.