Technical 21 www.aftermarketonline.net DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025 Outhwaite said: ‘’When VLS was first formed in 2013, there was clearly a lack of understanding in some areas of the marketplace. Eleven years later, we are confident that the message around compliance is being heard. However, the significant rise in cases over the past 12-18 months and the complexity of those cases demonstrates that there is still work to do to ensure an open and fair marketplace that end users can have confidence in.” Testing demonstrates the importance of tracing non-compliant products throughout the supply chain to protect end users. In a recent hydraulic oil case, the lubricant manufacturer said they recalled stock and reformulated the product and the evidence they provided was accepted by VLS. However, at the six-month review stage, VLS bought a product sample that failed again. The lubricant manufacturer said the sample had been purchased from a distributor with old stock still in the marketplace — and the purchase of a subsequent third sample provided a perfect result. Oil’s well that ends well It might be tempting for drivers to think that because they are doing fewer miles, they can save on servicing, according to VLS (Verification of Lubricant Specifications). Most cars recommend servicing at either a specific number of miles or a number of months, whichever comes first. Workshops can help educate drivers about the importance of regular servicing and oil changes. Newer cars run on smart devices which monitor the vehicle. If the car software is telling the driver that the car needs servicing, they should respond accordingly. Drivers with older vehicles need to know the recommended service and oil drain intervals and stick to them. Putting it off might seem like a shortterm saving, but it could result in engine damage and costs that could have been avoided. Technicians must be aware that older vehicles are just as susceptible as newer models to problems if the wrong oil is used. The vehicle parc is ageing, and the complexity of engines on the roads is increasing. Using the right oil is just as important for a 20-year-old car as it is for a two-year-old model. Technicians need to understand how important oil choice is and why they must carry a number of different engine oils and always use the correct product. According to recent date from the Department for Transport, motorists are making fewer trips and travelling fewer miles. Since 2002, average vehicle mileage has fallen from 9,000 miles a year to 7,000 miles in 2023. Several factors are driving the changes, including the rise in people working from home, as well as the cost of vehicle insurance, servicing and fuel. VLS said these changes in driver patterns have detrimental consequences for a range of engine components, including lubricants. “Lubricants need to flow efficiently in order to protect the vehicle”, said Alan Outhwaite, chair of VLS’s technical review panel. “A lot of wear can take place in the first 10 minutes of start-up when the engine is cold. During shorter journeys, the oil does not get up to temperature. This means it doesn’t flow as well and doesn’t function as it should to lubricate and protect the engine.” In addition, water is a by-product of combustion, so if the oil is not getting up to temperature, small amounts of water can build up in the oil. This dilutes the oil, meaning it will not function as designed. Water can also remain in the crankcase, which could lead to emulsification and corrosion. Hybrid vehicles are even more complex and potentially more adversely affected by these changes in driver behaviour. In a hybrid vehicle, you could be using the battery for part of the journey, so it can take up to 25 minutes for the oil to get up to temperature. VLS said this is significantly longer than the 8-10 minutes usually required in a conventional combustion engine. Hybrid vehicles then have the complication of a highpowered start-up, with the car management system using the battery for the first 10 miles and then requiring the engine to start as the vehicle joins the dual carriageway at high speed and high revs, creating a shock to the engine componentry and putting the lubricant under increased stress. Shorter journeys also don’t give batteries time to charge fully and recover from the significant amount of power required to start the engine. Visit https://ukla-vls. org.uk/ to find out more about VLS’ work to uphold standards in the lubricant industry and protect end users.
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