HEV Engine Lubrication Challenges
Afton presented at Lubes em Foco Meet the Market Conference 2024. Click here to view the presentation.

My takeaways:
- Hybrid implementations vary by make -- some designs will cause more demanding situations for oil.
- In hybrid powertrains, the temperature profiles of operation have greater variance than traditional gasoline motors.
- Cold start-up wear is a concern; Afton cites the example of a "cold commuter" where a cold gas engine is asked to turn on at 70 mph. This sounds like an issue specific to plug-in hybrids.
- Vehicles used for in-town driving can result in a situation where the engine operates intermittently, never warms up, and results in high levels of water/fuel contamination. This can cause increased emulsion and corrosion.
In summary, hybrids are not "easier" on oil as folks would like to believe; they can have their own unique challenges. As hybrids begin to take more market share, additive suppliers are finally starting to give this segment more awareness.
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