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.

The slump in the crude oil price will effect the future of automotive synthetic lubricants in 2015.

Since the spike to record highs in 2008, crude oil pricing has been maintained at relatively high levels by OPEC. This has closed the gap between synthetic lubricants and regular mineral oils to a level that the overall purchasing decision has been swayed towards synthetics. The significant advantages of synthetic oils over mineral lubes have always been well defined:

• Extended oil change intervals 
• Reduced energy consumption 
• Improved temperature stability at high temperatures 
• Reduced oxidation at high temperatures 
• Improved fuel efficiency 
• Improved performance 
• Reduced cold temperature losses during start 

About the only downside to using synthetics – namely, cost, was closing thanks to maintained high crude oil prices. However the future of automotive synthetic lubricants in 2015 will be influenced by low mineral lubricant prices.

Technology still likely to influence the future of automotive synthetic lubricants in 2015.

With emissions regulations driving downsizing across the globe the proliferation of forced induction turbochargers is set to more than double the sales of turbochargers by 2020. This trend is likely to play a major role in the future of automotive synthetic lubricants in 2015. Synthetic motor oils are well known for their high temperature functionality and performance, and with operating temperatures of some turbos exceeding 900 deg C it’s unlikely that OEMs will choose to use regular mineral oils in these applications.

Notwithstanding this good news for synthetic motor oil, there are still threats to the future of automotive synthetic lubricants in 2015:

• With downsizing comes less sump volume, so on average less engine oil will be consumed/ 1000 vehicles. 
• Hybridisation and electrification have the potential to reduce the size and number of ICE’s by 2020. 

Despite the challenges to the future of automotive synthetic lubricants in 2015 there is no doubt that they are likely to replace crude based lubricants used by the automotive industry in the medium to long term. High quality synthetic lubricant suppliers, such as Habot Oil, will be in the forefront of all future lubrication strategies for the motor, aerospace and mining industries.