The future of automotive synthetic lubricants in 2015 is challenging.

To understand the future of automotive synthetic lubricants in 2015 one has to look back at some of the key automotive events of 2014 that are likely to impact on the automotive industry lubricants in 2015. In many ways 2014 saw some developments that may be trend setters for the near to mid term.

Cheaper crude oil will impact on the demand for synthetic motor oil in the near to medium term.

There’s no doubt that synthetic motor oils outperform regular engine oil in most areas but for now cheaper crude oil will impact on the demand for synthetic motor oil – which could be a temporary setback for the industry... and in the long term the consumer as well.

Can I use synthetic motor oil in older motorcycle engines?

Most modern motorcycles recommend synthetics, but many people wonder whether they can use synthetic motor oil in older motorcycle engines. It’s obvious that there are many reasons to use synthetic motor oil which holds many advantages over regular crude derived lubricants when used in high performance motorcycle engines, but one has to exercise caution when deciding to use synthetic motor oil in older motorcycle engines.

New pc-11 diesel motor oil specification is required for the latest engine design.

A new pc-11 diesel motor oil specification is being developed to cope with recent changes to environmental regulations and engines. This is why it is no coincidence that there are two new oil specifications on the horizon at the same time: PC-11 for heavy-duty diesel engines and the new GF-6 motor oil specification for passenger automobiles.

For the first time each specification will have two versions: one for current and future engines and another compatible with older engines. Although

New GF-6 motor oil specification will satisfy major changes in engine design.

Significant changes to environmental regulations and engines have resulted in a new GF-6 motor oil specification for passenger cars. For the first time, there are likely to be two iterations: one for current and future engines and another compatible with older engines.

Joan Evans, Infineum industry liaison advisor, explains, “For the new GF-6 motor oil specification, ILSAC GF-6, there is an urgent need

The future of synthetic motor oil lies in reducing friction.

The future of synthetic motor oil: “ Although tremendous efforts have been made over many years to reduce friction via engine component design, component materials and surface characteristics further improvements will shape the future of synthetic motor oil,” says Victor Wong principal scientist and manager of Sloan Automotive Laboratories and MIT.

“While, despite the fact that lubricant properties play an important role in affecting engine friction they have often been considered outside the mix of

Will SAE 16 synthetic motor oil replace SAE 20 in future car engines?

SAE 16 synthetic motor oil, formally labeled as SAE 16 in April of 2013 by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) was introduced as a new, low viscosity grade specification to help OEMs meet increasingly strict corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) requirements.

However, ultra-low viscosity grade oils can create durability challenges that need to be carefully considered.

  

Image credit: Duke Engines