Back to the Basics Laboratories

WHO WE ARE: Back to the Basics Labs, By T.W.A. is a science-driven laboratory-on-wheels backed by a staff with decades of experience and industry-leading certifications (STLE-CLS, ICML-LLA II), proudly serving government and private fleet maintainers in the Central Texas region. We are environmentally compliant with 49 CFR §173 (hazardous materials) and 29 CFR §1910 (lab operations) as well as SAM.gov registered and a SDVOSB.

CUSTOMER VALUE: Our focus is preventive maintenance and measurable cost savings. By routinely screening engine oils and transmission fluids, we identify invasive contaminants such as water, coolant, fuel, and excessive soot in the early stages, helping to prevent costly catastrophic failures before they occur. Our service delivers real value by extending the life of your equipment, minimizing oil/fluid changes, and reducing costly waste.

CUSTOMER PROCESS BEFORE SCREENING: Two options 1) We bring our lab-on-wheels directly to your location, or 2) A field technician will visit your location to retrieve warm samples, allowing samples to be tested at our home site. 

As part of either option, a field technician will use a sampling apparatus and a 1-ounce sample bottle to retrieve a warm sample from the vehicle via the dipstick tube. Sampling supplies are provided with no additional cost. The filled sample bottle is enclosed in a zip-lock bag and attached to a “Service Request Form” which is filled out by the customer, identifying vehicle and component information.

LABORATORY SCREENING PROCESS: Upon receiving samples, the sample is matched with a screening matrix, driven by customer-provided information such as oil/fluid type (i.e. 15W-40), number of miles or months the oil/fluid has been in service, component type, and level of testing requested. Testing is performed under controlled conditions, using detailed standard operating procedures to ensure consistency.

Once testing is complete, the results are formatted into a “Sample Results Report” and provided to the customer electronically or via hardcopy. For our Military customers, OPSEC is considered in all cases, we do not keep extensive records or release any information to the public, although a more detailed plan for record keeping is available upon request. Our service is designed for fast decision-making without the delay of full laboratory analysis.

CUSTOMER PROCESS AFTER SCREENING: Review the Sample Status Report and ask any questions about the results. For legal purposes, “Back to the Basics Labs, by T.W.A.” is not responsible for customer’s equipment condition before, during, or after using our service.  

What We Screen For

Our in-service fluid screening helps identify common conditions that impact equipment reliability and service life:

Water Intrusion 

Water in engine oil or transmission fluid reduces lubrication, promotes corrosion, and can lead to overheating and internal damage—especially after flooding, heavy rain, or high-humidity exposure.

Fuel Intrusion 

Fuel intrusion lowers oil viscosity and weakens lubrication, increasing wear on critical engine components and accelerating oil degradation.

Coolant Intrusion 

Coolant contamination can cause sludge formation, corrosion, bearing damage, and rapid component deterioration if not addressed early.

Excessive Soot Accumulation 

Excess soot thickens oil, increases abrasive wear, and may indicate combustion inefficiencies or developing engine issues.

Why Preventive Screening Matters

Basic fluid screening provides early insight that supports proactive maintenance and long-term cost control:

• Helps prevent catastrophic engine and transmission failures 
• Reduces emergency repairs and towing 
• Minimizes unexpected downtime and operational disruption 
• Extends component life and delays major replacements 
• Supports planned maintenance instead of reactive repairs 
• Reduces waste resulting from unnecessary oil/fluid changes

Avoiding a single major failure can offset the cost of screening across a large fleet of vehicles - added value!

Especially Valuable After Severe Weather

Flooding, storm surge, and prolonged moisture exposure can compromise engine and transmission fluids without immediate visible symptoms. Post-event screening helps confirm equipment condition and identify hidden contamination before equipment is returned to service.

Designed for High-use and Low-use Fleet Operations

This service is a cost-effective preventive maintenance tool for high-use fleets operating under tight budgets and mission-critical demands. On-site screening delivers fast, actionable insight to help protect assets, control costs, and keep equipment in service.

Interested?

Call, email, or text us to discuss your fleet, answer questions, and demonstrate the value of preventive fluid screening—at no cost.