Aftermarket February 2023

performance. A consequence is that the concentrations of water found at the bottom of fuel tanks is likely to be higher volume than previously expected and the overall consequences are an expensive and unscheduled maintenance bill.” Increased pressure and friction Engines have changed over recent years, and oils are up against it, as a technical spokesperson for Castrol observed: “The rise of engine downsizing in the 2000s and 2010s has resulted in smaller-displacement engines with forced induction, usually turbocharging. To withstand the increased pressure and friction, Castrol ended up developing new oil technologies to reduce wear, improve fuel economy and mitigate low-speed pre-ignition – an issue more likely to affect small engines with high compression. Modern engines are built to very different design philosophies, and to increasingly tight tolerances. An oil of a different specification to that required can block filters, poison catalysts, and even cause oil starvation that can contribute to engine damage.” On the impact of EVs Castrol’s spokesperson observed: “The increase in the number of BEVs, HEVs, and PHEVs will lead to an increase in EV fluid consumption, particularly at factory fill point. However, in the long term, it will not offset the reduction in ICE fluids demand mainly due to the absence of engine oil in the BEV models. From an aftermarket perspective, the frequency of change for both transmission fluids and coolants/thermal is either low or 42 AFTERMARKET FEBRUARY 2023 OIL AND LUBES www.aftermarketonline.net fill for life and it will lead to a drop in aftermarket for fluids for BEVs. HEV and PHEVs still do have an engine and will require engine oil, though at lesser quantities than ICE vehicles. Having said that, there could be other avenues of maintenance that could increase such as servicing of brakes and brake maintenance. “Castrol has worked closely with carmakers and motorsport teams to develop its latest range of Castrol ON EV fluids. The Castrol ON range includes Castrol ON EV transmission fluids, Castrol ON EV thermal fluids and Castrol ON EV greases, all of which have been designed to enable EVs to go further, charge faster and last longer.” Move Both EVs and hybrids need the right kind of lubrication, as Motul UK and Ireland Head of Sales and Marketing Andy Wait observed: “The move towards vehicle electrification is something that all sectors of the aftermarket are increasingly having to come to terms with. In line with Motul’s long-held strategy, the company has already brought a range of lubricants to market specifically aimed at hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles fitted with recent petrol engines. “Motul’s Hybrid 0W 100% synthetic engine lubricant range is specially formulated to meet the specific needs of hybrid electric vehicles, such as HEV, PHEV and BEV with Range Extender, where lots of engine stop/starts are involved during the different operating phases of the hybrid vehicle. On hybrid vehicles applications, the lubricant’s fuel Above: Castrol works closely with carmakers and motorsport teams to develop its latest ranges, in order to bring them to garages