In the New Zealand economic landscape, oils and lubricants are often viewed as a cost that needs to be driven down as much as possible. ‘It’s just oil’ is a way for people to try and justify buying basic or incorrectly specified oils for their vehicle. Tony Blackburn, technical manager at Oil Intel for over 15 years, explains:
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he days where your standard workshop could get the oil recommendation spot on with a couple of oil products are long gone”, Tony says. “The quantity and complexity of oil specifications have grown explosively due to a number of factors. Firstly, the amount of different vehicle models has grown incrementally. New cars are fully redesigned every four to six years, often with a facelift halfway between to keep the ‘fresh’ look. Let’s say there are about 160 car brands in the world, each with their range of models, releasing a new look or refresh, plus additional models every year. Meanwhile, the older models are still happily driving around and will need their servicing as well. You can see how it is impossible for a workshop manager to carry the type of knowledge that will ensure the right oil is used for the brand, model, make and year (!) of any particular car.’
“On the other side of the spectrum there is oil companies’ response to the rapidly evolving car industry. More cars on the road is just one facet of the picture. Add to that the increased requirements for each car around safety, longevity, speed, driver experience and environmental performance: oil specifications have had to evolve along with this pace and Total has done that incredibly smartly with their substantial research & development facilities, where they have a team of scientists work fulltime to ensure the oils stay ahead of the game. Total’s focus is on being the responsible energy major, while staying on the cusp of emerging technological breakthroughs and this translates into outstanding products.”
What would Tony do as a workshop manager? “I would always ensure I get my facts right. Is that oil you picked five years ago really still suiting that car? As the above hopefully illustrated; probably not. I would visit my oil supplier’s online lubrication guide, which for us is Netlube and is updated daily by Total to ensure optimal accuracy. Any OEM updates that have been released will always be incorporated here. If this would still leave me in doubt, I would call my technical expert for professional advice. I receive phone calls from across the country every day, and every question is different and very valid. Those who call are showing they really care about the quality service they provide. They realise there is no longer a ‘one size fits all’ and acknowledge the importance to their business of getting expert advice on the right lubricant.”
How do the developments around hybrid and electrical cars influence this? “Hybrids or plug-in hybrids are not a thing of the future anymore – they are here, and their demand is without a doubt strong. Having said that, they coexist beside the traditionally fuelled vehicles and will do so for many years to come. For us and our partner Total it has definitely presented additional requirements as the oil specifications of the hybrids or plug-ins are unique and defined by the need for the best environmental outcome, while wanting optimal performance. These criteria often conflict in the formulation of a lubricant and ask for a delicate formulation of the oil and its viscosity. It adds another dimension to an industry that has already grown to be a science of its own. It certainly keeps us busy.” vv
