Should consumers know what kind of engine oil is going in their vehicle?

Before fuel and oxygen can ignite to power an internal combustion engine, it is the lubricant that must first permit the pistons to move. The wrong grade, a poor-quality blend, or an overdue oil change are among the leading causes of diminished performance and, in extreme cases, catastrophic engine failure.

Despite its critical role, lubricants remain a "low-involvement" category for most consumers; we often defer to a mechanic’s choice or a service centre’s recommendation without a second thought. To bridge this knowledge gap and understand the evolving science of lubrication, we sat down with Ravi Chawla, Managing Director and CEO of Gulf Oil Lubricants India.

In an extensive conversation, Ravi explains the nuances of selecting the right oil for your vehicle, the tangible benefits of switching to synthetics, and the critical quality differences in products like AdBlue.

On what basis should people be selecting the oil going in their four- or two-wheeler?

For cars it is very important that every engine, the OEM has recommended a particular viscosity and a particular specification and a performance level. Some of the OEMs recommend a particular oil which has been tested and tried and performs well for the type of engine. It is always good to follow that guide because then it makes sure that the lubricant is compatible with the engine and the performance that the vehicle requires. It is important to have those specifications, it is available in the manual of every car.

It is important to the consumer to understand the specifications and the requirements of the engine, even when they change the oil after the cycle of getting it serviced in the OEM workshop. It should be a very good thing to tally that the oil recommended is as per the specification of the vehicle. Different brands who are not even tied up with the OEM may offer the specification and sometimes you would require consultation with the mechanic, the garage, the OEM franchisee workshop. On our website, you can actually come and put your model number and check the specification that the company offers.

What is the difference between mineral and synthetic oil?

Fully synthetic oils are made from PAO and esters. These are chemicals. They don't use mineral based oils. Because they are made chemically, it is more costly to make. In terms of performance, because it is very controllable and the kind of chemical composition that goes in, the performance levels are far higher.

When the engine is very hot, it will perform better. It will not disintegrate. It will do a better job of detergency cleaning. It will have a better effect on clutch control. The longevity of the oil is higher in fully synthetic. But India being India, affordability also is important. Semi-synthetic and mineral, which is based on mineral oils and they add a few chemicals in it, that helps. That is a bridge between that because there is also a cost element.

What does AdBlue actually do?

The entire world and India is obviously working towards better emission norms. So in the Euro 6 diesel vehicle, you have to use a technology called EGR and SCR. These are various catalysts and filters, which are, and devices, which when the air is leaving, they spray this urea solution, which is in a separate tank. It's purified water with automotive grade urea, it's called AUS 32.

That's put into a solution and it's a liquid. This is in a tank and this tank sprays it and then converts the NTO to clean nitrogen oxidized, which is what this device does.

So it is like a consumable which cleans the air. So it's a separate tank. You have the engine, you have a separate tank of what we call AdBlue, AdBlue is a name which is registered, but it's called diesel exhaust fluid, or it's called AUS 32.

Does AdBlue quality differ between different AdBlue manufacturers?

AdBlue is a mark given to diesel exhaust fluid by a German organization called VDA. They have been the pioneers, and have been maintaining a high technical standard and quality of this product by giving us that license and then they check the quality of our AdBlue and our manufacturing process. VDA is basically meeting a global standard of AdBlue, of diesel exhaust fluid; the name AdBlue can only be used then.

Gulf has a unique thing that all our lubricants are only made in our plants. We have our own lab so every product made for Gulf is made in our plant unlike many other companies who give out their products to be made.

32 per cent of this one litre of AdBlue has to have urea. Not everyone is following an audit like we are in the VDA. So our quality has been ensured.

What should people be aware of before filling AdBlue in their vehicles? So if let us say AdBlue quality is not right, is not correct, it is adulterated in some form, how does that affect the engine of the car or the car itself?

If you do not use the right AdBlue, your engine can get damaged. The warranty will also not last if you do not use the correct AdBlue. Internationally if you do not use AdBlue or DEF, you are not allowed to operate.

I think there is an obvious sensitivity to that, so if you do not have the right AdBlue, you are going to have a different emission coming. It is more of a self-check right now, but I think people who are buying commercial vehicles realise that they must use it.

What are long drain lubricants?

Commercial vehicles run long distances and they do have a service interval of changing the oil based on kilometres and also time. Servicing is the best way to keep your vehicle running. Whether it is a commercial vehicle or it is an industrial equipment, they do not want any breakdown ever because it will impact their productivity.

If you give a product which can last longer and work better, it is a direct benefit. Imagine instead of 5 oil changes, you have to do 4 oil changes in a year, which straight away reduces your cost.

Currently, what is the interval for a long drain oil?

In 2006, the typical drain interval was 18,000 kilometres. We tested this in 2006 with Ashok Leyland vehicles in various conditions and we developed oil which went up to 36,000. So 18 went to 36 and we pioneered it. Now this same 36 is going to 120,000 today.

So why don't we have long drain for passenger vehicles for four wheelers which can go up to say 50,000 kilometres or even a lakh kilometres for the engine oils?

It is to do with the way the OEMs have developed the products. Generally we find that the OEMs prefer to change the oil because a car’s usage is more complicated. There are products which can go on for a year based on usages there and those are some of the synthetic grades, but most of the OEMs have moved towards having the oil change done in a particular way. They prefer to have the fresh oil into the system which can help, because cars are obviously smaller engines and more sort of finer in terms of the requirement.

What kind of offerings does Gulf have for premium bikes?

Keeping in line with our Unlock 2.0, which is to accelerate, premiumise and to transform, we are introducing products like Syntrac. This is a synthetic ester based motorcycle oil.

It is a whole series of products which we are targeting towards higher end bikes. The different viscosities which will go into these bikes are like 10W30, 15W50. These products have been developed in our global R&D centre in Ennore, Chennai and they provide excellent performance for these higher end bikes.

These products are providing outstanding thermal stability, exceptional lubricity and excellent cleanliness under demanding riding and engine conditions. They deliver optimal engine, clutch and gearbox performance and are for newer high end bikes above 150cc like Royal Enfield, KTM, Harley Davidson, Triumph, BMW.