As the technical team at Comma Oil observed, vehicle technology is changing: “Back in 2013 Comma offered just 17 distinct engine oil grades, the vast majority of which were the 5w30 grade. “Fast forward to 2023, and Comma now has 26 distinct grades of engine oil on offer, with 12 of these belonging to the 0w series. This shift underscores the rapid pace at which manufacturers have had to adapt to cater to an evolving automotive landscape. “One of the primary reasons for these shifts is changes in legislation, following the Government’s plans to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, as well as all new cars and vans becoming zero emission by 2035. By pushing for lower emissions, innovations in engine design and, consequently, engine oil requirements, are changing at a rapid pace. “With technological advancements, certain innovations have created significant issues for engine oils. These include smaller, high-revving engines, extended service intervals, the prevalence of turbochargers, the use of wet timing belts that operate within the engine oil. Then there is the hybrid engine challenge. These vehicles usually run cooler as their engines mainly turn on at higher speeds or to recharge batteries. This can lead to issues like moisture accumulation, white sludge formation, and longer warm-up times, increasing the risk of engine corrosion. Addressing these challenges requires a unique additive package and, in some cases, more frequent oil changes.” For more information, visit: www.commaoil.com 48 AFTERMARKET FEBRUARY 2024 OIL AND LUBES www.aftermarketonline.net Perfect blend “The vehicle parc is in a state of flux,” said Duckhams Chairman Jabir Sheth. “EVs and hybrids are gaining share, but petrol is still the most popular choice for new car registrations in the EU and diesel is still the most popular choice for new van registrations. “Drivers are holding onto their vehicles for longer than ever before, meaning ICE vehicles are likely to be around for many years after the internal combustion engine vehicle ban in 2035. According to the latest ACEA Vehicles in Use 2023 report, passenger cars are now, on average, 10 years old in the UK and LCVs 9.3 years, a marked rise since 2018, when cars were on average 7.8 years old and LCVs 7.6 years old. “Catering to the diverse and ageing vehicles on our roads, since 1899, Duckhams Oils has been offering highperformance engine oils formulated to keep engines of all ages moving. “Duckhams QS and QXR synthetic engine oils are formulated with modern additive technology and highquality base oils to meet current specifications and provide advanced protection for modern passenger cars. Hypergrade Plus engine oils are formulated to meet the requirements of older vehicles and provide complete protection. For classic cars, products like Duckhams Classic [Q] 20W-50, the original green multigrade motor oil, are widely recommended in many original owners’ handbooks.” Jabir added: “Any technician unsure of what engine oil to use can always use our convenient online look-up tool. VITAL CONTRIBUTION Oils and lubricants perform a number of vital functions, and as engines develop and new technology comes in, they are evolving Above: Duckhams in use in the workshop
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