Lubricant evolution: How lubricants are meeting the challenges of modern engine technology

Modern engines can no longer work with just any engine oil. With increasing demands for fuel efficiency, European car manufacturers now require lubricants that can help protect the engine against the combination of high power, high pressure and high temperatures. Modern engine oil must perform across a variety of advanced technologies, including direct injection, downsized turbocharged engines, variable valve timing, cylinder deactivation, variable oil pump speeds, start-stop systems, and emissions after-treatment technologies. The introduction of biofuels, LPG, and alternative fuel systems further complicates oil formulation, creating potential problems that the engine oil must also help solve, including oxidation, corrosion, and deposit formation.

Car and motorcycle manufacturers are working overtime in the development of engine technology. Under pressure from the market and the new regulations, lubricants such as those from Texaco are working extremely hard to not only keep in line with developments, but to actively support future variations.

Many lubricants are developed in parallel with new engines. Car manufacturers work closely with lubricant manufacturers to continue to drive the market forward because both private consumers and business customers place ever higher demands on quality and cost. Engines must last longer and at the same time be able to cope with less maintenance. Manufacturers are looking for options to use the same engine in different configurations (for example, with or without a turbo, or in a variant with different numbers of cylinders) and also from passenger cars of various sizes to commercial vehicles.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) continues to update its specifications for engine oils, but individual manufacturers often impose additional proprietary requirements. Developing a lubricant that meets multiple stringent standards is a complex, resource-intensive process. Texaco, as a global manufacturer capable of rapidly developing high-quality lubricants, remains dedicated to ensuring broad compatibility across a diverse vehicle fleet.

Texaco Lubricants has been operating in Europe for more than 100 years, with a proud history of innovation. But developments do not stand still; a shift is taking place towards increasingly thinner oil. Looking for lower fuel consumption (and associated lower emissions), the development of lubricating oil is shifting toward ultra-low viscosity oils such as 0W-20, 0W-16, 0W-12, and 0W-8. These low viscosity oils feature an extremely thin but powerful lubricating film that can be produced within the engine. It is believed that the development of these oils will help to actively contribute to lower fuel consumption in modern cars.

The continual developments in engine and therefore lubricant technology make it increasingly difficult for workshops to keep a suitable range of lubricants 'on the shelf'. The demand from customers is varied and therefore, too often a product is chosen that is as generic as possible, with all the associated risks. Workshops must be able to operate competitively, and in some cases, may opt for lubricants that, in terms of characteristics, do not exactly match what is required for the specific engine. Ultimately, this could lead to higher maintenance costs and potentially even to permanent engine problems, with substantial risks for the customer relationship.

To help workshops offer a wider range of products, Texaco introduced the Texaco PitPack, an integrated storage, display and dispensing system for engine oils that provides product integrity from the box to the customer’s engine. Each corrugated carton holds 20 litres of engine oil, sealed in a self-collapsing polyethylene liner bag. The boxes are easily stacked to allow garages to stock a wider range of viscosities without taking up the space of a tank or multiple drums.

As well as storage ease, the carton is also fully recyclable, while interior liners contains 85% less plastic* than previous 20 litre plastic pails, with a High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) weight of 134 grams versus the previous 900 grams.

Regulatory developments and technological advancements continue to shape the engine oil market. The Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) has introduced stricter fuel economy testing for new cars, impacting lubricant testing protocols as well. Texaco collaborates with leading automakers to refine test procedures and develop oils that meet the latest industry standards. As the market diversifies, Texaco remains committed to supporting a wide range of vehicle brands, from modern low-viscosity formulations to trusted legacy oils like 15W-40. Workshops and customers alike can rest assured that Texaco Havoline branded products will continue to support the largest possible percentage of major brands in Europe.

*  This calculation does not take into account the transfer jugs.