Conventional vs Next-Gen Lubricants: What Today’s Cars Really Need

Passenger cars today are experiencing phenomenal growth and development in the speed of evolution of the vehicles and their engines. Engines are smaller than in previous years; engine operating temperatures are increasing; and higher expectations for fuel economy and overall engine performance are now demanded by consumers. All of these changes have altered the purpose of lubricants as they pertain to vehicle components.

Rather than simply reducing friction, a lubricant is used to control vehicle emissions and maximize the engine’s lifespan. Vehicle owners are now capable of making an informed choice regarding what lubricant is best for their vehicles based on an understanding of the history of lubricants and from the recommendations of the vehicle makers regarding the proper lubricant for each vehicle.

Over the last several decades, advances in refining techniques and additive chemistry have provided an increased selection of lubricants for consumer vehicles. In contrast to previous years, when motor oil was considered a ‘universal’ lubricant, there are now many options to select from. Various formulations are available now for different types of driving conditions, driving habits, and different car configurations. They emphasise primarily choosing lubricants that are formulated to support current technologies while providing dependable performance over broad ranges of climates and use conditions.

Next-Generation Formulations and Modern Engine Demands

Advancements in engine efficiency and compactness created the need for new formulations to support the development of engines in the future. Formulations for the next generation of products are manufactured at the molecular level so that they provide the same performance under a broader range of temperatures and operating conditions than what has been possible in the past. The next generation of products is particularly important for vehicles that use technologies such as turbocharging, variable valve timing and start-stop systems.

The proper selection and use of car motor oil produced from advanced base stocks and additive systems, according to OEM requirements, can contribute to the cleanliness of internal engine components and excellent viscosity stability through extended oil service intervals. The use of motor oils that have excellent viscosity stability through extended oil service intervals supports improved engine operation, which leads to a longer life of the oil.

Supporting Environmental Goals Through Innovation

In lubricant formulation, consideration for environmental responsibility is a key factor that governs development today. Formulations typically designed with a view to reducing internal friction, thereby improving the overall performance of engines, are therefore more fuel-efficient than previous formulations and subsequently create fewer CO₂ emissions over the lifetime of an engine.

Improved lubricant formulations will also better resist oxidation and degradation; therefore, an engine will run cleaner for a longer period of time with improved lubrication. Engine cleanliness will therefore improve engine performance and will help support emissions-control devices and enable manufacturers to comply with the ever-increasing, stringent global environmental regulations without sacrificing the performance or reliability of lubricants.

Choosing the Right Engine Oil for Your Vehicle

This is not a ranking or comparison of which oil category is ‘better’ but rather which oil category is most appropriate. All automobile manufacturers do extensive testing on oil formulations to see which formulation best fits their engine specifications. Following the viscosity grades and performance specifications in the owner’s manual guarantees that an oil will work properly and provide the best performance for that specific vehicle.

Many modern passenger car manufacturers now use synthetic oil to fulfil the more demanding performance specifications and to extend the life of their engines. However, there are still many types of vehicles on the market that are completely engineered to run as effectively as possible on conventional oil formulations. The primary consideration when selecting an oil is to pair the oil with the design and the operating conditions of the engine.

Final Thoughts

The technology used for lubrication continues to improve as automotive engineering improves. The traditional and new-generation products (lubricants) both perform important functions in the daily operation of modern-day vehicles. If drivers know the differences between them and follow the recommendations of their vehicle manufacturer in regard to the proper lubricant for their vehicle, they will help to extend the life of their engine, improve the performance of their engine (fuel economy), and help reduce pollution.