Afton's Presentation of Lubrication Challenges with Hybrid Vehicles

Joined
Aug 30, 2004
Messages
33,130
Location
CA

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.
 
Last edited:
Afton has some interesting boosters:

1727479887352.webp


 
Although I can see how they can market the perceived need for this I see many high mileage hybrids that didn’t have any special treatment. Being able to open up a new market it’s always the objective of a business. I would like to see the data from there quotation mark studies and not their sales pitch to a new market.
 
Although I can see how they can market the perceived need for this I see many high mileage hybrids that didn’t have any special treatment.
Plug-in hybrids are probably the biggest issue here, but also keep in mind that many recent hybrids also adopted GDI. So, very different environment than the Toyota hybrids from 15-20 years ago.
 
Plug-in hybrids are probably the biggest issue here, but also keep in mind that many recent hybrids also adopted GDI. So, very different environment than the Toyota hybrids from 15-20 years ago.

I don’t see the need or a specialized booster for specialized oils, this is an edit. Good for them for finding a good market.
 
Last edited:
I don’t see the need or a specialized booster for specialized oils, this is an edit. Good for them for finding a good market.
Just to make sure we’re on the same page — Afton supplies additive solutions to blenders such as Castrol, Valvoline, etc., not the end user.
 
I think Valvoline was on to something. Hybrid Oils appear to be really beneficial for hybrid engines.

Nope! Everything is just all marketing hype remember?
 
I'd be interested to know which brand/model hybrids and plug-in hybrids are having engine failures that this is intended to remedy.
 
I'd be interested to know which brand/model hybrids and plug-in hybrids are having engine failures that this is intended to remedy.

Probably a very small % which are based in cold climates. I'd probably run one these oils if I had a Hybrid with all the short trips I do. Winter especially.

 
I'd be interested to know which brand/model hybrids and plug-in hybrids are having engine failures that this is intended to remedy.
My gut feeling is Stellantis. Not only do they have a very stringent fuel oil refresh mode, but they are in the process of launching their own oil spec (PSA B71 2010) for hybrids as well:


 
I'd be interested to know which brand/model hybrids and plug-in hybrids are having engine failures that this is intended to remedy.
Things shouldn’t have fail for manufacturers and oil companies to progress. Hybrid focused oils are the same price as other oils. So the consumer isn’t impacted negatively in anyway. It’s potentially only all positive. What’s wrong with that?
 
My gut feeling is Stellantis. Not only do they have a very stringent fuel oil refresh mode, but they are in the process of launching their own oil spec (PSA B71 2010) for hybrids as well:
I think the Chevy Volt had a similar setup where the control system "forced" the engine to run occasionally if the vehicle was used in a duty cycle where battery power was all that was required. IIRC they also wanted to run some fuel through the system to keep things from getting stale.
 
Back
Top