July/August 2019

lead to accelerated wear and component failure.” Quick circulation Other systems are also affected: “Stop/Start technology also benefits from these advancements, ensuring rapid circulation when the engine has to fire up again. In a separate but related way, hybrids require quick circulation of oil when the petrol or diesel engine kicks in to charge the batteries. This may be intermittent, so the oil may never really get hot, but it must still flow effectively from cold and protect the components.” Adrian concludes: “In summary, new generation engine oils are packed full of new innovative technology. The premium may be higher than older style oils, but they provide peace of mind and ensure after-treatment devices are protected and that the fuel efficiency expectation can be maximised.“ Biofuels Andrew Goddard is Chairman of VLS (and also Chief Executive of Morris Lubricants). VLS is a subsidiary of the United Kingdom Lubricants Association (UKLA). Its purpose is to promote the importance of lubricant quality and performance specifications within the UK lubricant market. It responds to complaints, and independently investigates and checks compliance to industry standards and performance claims within the UK marketplace. As technology changes, lubricants need to adapt, and users like garages need to make sure they stay abreast of movement in the sector, or risk applying the wrong products. One of the trends impacting on lubricants is the increasing prevalence of biofuels. Commenting on the impact biofuels have on the choice of lubricants, Andrew observes: “The increasing use of biofuels is having a major impact on lubricants. In today’s latest generation, higher-performance engines, lubricants are running at higher temperatures than in the past. Biofuels are less stable than other fuels and oxidize easily. The combination of higher temperatures and biofuels causes increased oxidation which in turn creates carbon deposits in the engine and reduces the viscosity of the lubricant. Biodiesel, like all fuels, will find its way into the oil sump where it will contribute to oil degradation. Evolution and adaptation are vital says Andrew: “Lubricants must adapt to perform in these new environments. To address the oxidation challenge presented by biofuels, engine oils are being developed using better quality base oils and additives to increase oxidation stability.” Andrew adds: “At the moment, this is covered within mainstream oils, which are designed and tested for vehicles running up to 20% biofuels. However, if an engine were to run on 100% biofuel it would need a different lubricant entirely, as well as different oil drain intervals.” Electric vehicles The rise of electric vehicles presents other challenges says Andrew, and lubricants will need to adapt here also: “With impending legislation changes, electric vehicles will become more dominant. This will require innovation in the lubricants industry, as electrically powered vehicles don’t need standard engine oils at all. They do however need advanced cooling systems and drive-line lubricants to ensure that vehicles run effectively. New lubricants must be developed to provide the lubrication these vehicles need.” Users who are more traditionally- minded might need some handling also observes Andrew: “The phasing out of traditional engine oils will need careful management, as some will users hang on to their combustion engine vehicles for as long as possible to avoid the cost of buying a new electric vehicle.” 38 AFTERMARKET JULY/AUGUST 2019 OILS AND LUBRICANTS www.aftermarketonline.net Above: LIQUI MOLY’s Oliver Kuhn