30 March 2009
Oil & Filters
Different Oils for Different Models
New model vehicles require different oils. Synthetic oils seem to be a requirement in a number of new models, but older model vehicles can certainly benefit as well.
Usually the norm is the more often motor oil is changed, the better fuel economy your customer will get. Anything you can do to reduce internal friction is going to help fuel economy. So when you change your customer’s oil, you should also change the filter.
Technology changes
Currently, oil companies are beginning to see some divergence in motor oil technology across different OEM specifications to meet new engine technology. They’re seeing different products for different applications. Today’s diesels need to become cleaner as there are more issues with the emission systems. Old technology is detrimental to these systems and so it’s necessary to use the correct product.
At the moment that’s very important, particularly on newer vehicles (2007 on), especially European models. Engine repairs and component replacement could get expensive if you don’t put the correct oil in your customer’s vehicle. For instance, if your customer has a 2006 Mercedes, even though it’s the same model as the 2007, it will use different oil. Volkswagen is the same—there are specific specs related to their diesels.
Check and check again
These are just a couple of examples of how using the wrong motor oil could be detrimental to the functionality of the engine. So watch your models and years. Obviously you don’t want your customer to have an engine-related failure or problem, because then they’ll take the vehicle back to the dealership because of the warranty. At that point, the dealer’s service department will test the oil and if they find it’s not to the specifications, they will tell the customer they weren’t using the correct product. Then what happens to the warranty?
So the message here is check and check again before you put oil in your customer’s vehicle… check the owner’s manual or, in some makes and models, the oil cap.
Synthetics
It seems the fast lube industry is still running about 15-20% ahead of the independents. I hope this doesn’t mean you’re still not really focused on selling to meet customer needs or potential. As a maintenance shop, you should be trying to sell premium oils such as synthetics, high mileage, SUV type products, etc.
Synthetic oil seems to be the way to go, as vehicles of today don’t need to go through a “break-in” period like those of the past. Twenty-five years ago, a vehicle with 160,000 km on it was usually considered “done.” Today, engines can run for more than 480,000 km—if well maintained.
Any vehicle, any time?
Synthetic motor oils have a carefully balanced additive/base oil formula that gives maximum engine protection under extreme driving conditions. They provide excellent lubrication characteristics under conditions outside the range of conventional motor oils. You also get extra protection under service conditions that generate extremely high engine oil temperatures, and they flow better than conventional motor oils at extremely low temperatures. They’re good for driving in summer or winter temperatures, transporting heavy loads, prolonged engine idling, short trips, and stop and go driving. Synthetic motor oils can be used in virtually all gasoline engines, domestic and foreign.
Synthetic oils last longer and perform better than the traditional petroleum-based product. Most vehicles can go between 8,000 and 9,000 km before the oil needs to be changed, but check the owner’s manual. Some say that synthetic oils “could be good for 16,000 to 24,000 km, or six months” before changing the oil.
Be sure to use the correct motor oil and filter in your customer’s vehicle. In today’s world, that’s a big part of preventive maintenance.
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