FEBRUARY 2024 AFTERMARKET 51 www.aftermarketonline.net for small but persistent engine oil leaks. It’s called Engine Oil Stop Leak. It works by renewing worn seals and restoring their operational capabilities. It also addresses problems with engine noise and helps raise oil pressure. Because it contains no harmful solvents and is compatible with oils developed for both petrol and diesel-driven engines, meaning it is DPF-safe, it has practical applications over a wide range of cars, including semisynthetic and fully synthetic motor oils. “Additives also provide preventive maintenance capabilities. When added to existing 10w-40 and 20w-50 oils, Heavy Duty Oil Stabiliser leaves a protective coating on all the internal engine components and protects against dry starts. It adds lubricity and lowers oil temperature. This all helps to extend the operational life of the existing oil, which is a further cost saving.” Dan added: “As there is a Pure Synthetic Stabilizer option (5w-30 and 5w-40) and a Low Viscosity Stabilizer option (0w-15, 0w-20, 0w30, 0w-40) that’s hybrid safe, variable valve timing solenoid safe and cylinder deactivation safe, most models on the customer vehicle list are covered.” Electrification Vehicle electrification is having an impact on the kind of oils and lubricants being formulated, as new requirements necessitate new products. Motul UK and Ireland Head of Sales and Marketing Andy Wait observed: “In line with Motul’s long-held strategy, not only of developing general lubricant formulations but also of developing specialist product to meet specific applications, the company has already brought a range of lubricants to market specifically aimed at hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles fitted with recent petrol engines. “Motul’s Hybrid 0W 100% synthetic engine lubricant range is the result of Motul innovation in developing new advanced lubricants and is specially formulated to meet the specific needs of hybrid electric vehicles, such as HEV, PHEV and BEV with Range Extender, where lots of engine stop/starts are involved during the different operating phases of the hybrid vehicle. On hybrid vehicle applications, Motul Hybrid 0W formulations make them particularly resistant to high temperatures for improved control of the oil consumption. They are also formulated to improve oil flow at start up, deliver faster oil pressure build up, faster rev rise and a more rapid move to operating temperature.” Andy added: “Obviously, pure electric vehicles, with no internal combustion engine or conventional gearbox to lubricate, narrow down some of the standard requirements for lubricants. There are still, however, many areas which require fluids or lubricants, and often of a more specialised nature, so we are concentrating on making sure we are at the technical forefront of things like brake fluid, coolant, greases, hydraulic fluids as well as workshop sprays and cleaning fluids.” For more information, visit: www.motul.com Innovation Commenting on changes in the market, Jacquie Berryman, Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS) Chair, observed: “Engine oil formulations continue to develop at a pace to keep up with innovation in engine technology. The latest set of engine oil sequences from ACEA, the European association of major motor manufacturers, for light-duty applications was issued in 2021, but they have already been revised and updated in 2022 and 2023. “The vehicle parc is also changing. Workshops are servicing more hybrids and electric vehicles as they take a greater share of vehicles on our roads. Engines are becoming more compact and more powerful with a market trend to lower and lighter viscosities such as 0W-20. With motorists holding onto their vehicles for longer than ever, petrol and diesel services are also critical to keep modern motor vehicles running at their peak performance for longer. These ageing vehicles may also require very different lubricants from the latest models. “For example, a 2021 VW Polo 1.0 mpi requires an SAE 0W20 engine oil complying with the latest VW 508.00 specification. A 2017 VW Polo 1.0 requires an SAE 5W-30 oil conforming to the older VW 504.00 specification, with higher and exclusively different High-Temp/High Shear properties. Use of a VW 508.00 compliant engine oil in place of VW 504.00 would potentially result in accelerated wear to engine components. In contrast, a VW 504.00 compliant engine oil instead of VW 508.00 would affect emission control devices and fuel economy. “Amid all this change, it is perhaps no surprise that VLS saw an influx of cases in 2023, its tenth anniversary year, with the highest number of complaints received since 2016. The majority of complaints related to passenger car engine oil and products not being able to meet all the marketing claims being made. The vast majority of cases resulted in affirmative action, with stock quarantined, uplifted, and either relabelled or disposed of to protect end users.” Jacquie added: “With space at motor factors and workshops at a premium, the temptation is to create lubricant products that can claim to cover huge swathes of the car parc. However, any claims made must be backed up by evidence and supported by the technology provider.” Engine oil formulations continue to develop at a pace to keep up with innovation in engine technology ”
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