Changes to Motul X-lite?

[hermit]

Motul X-lite 0w30 is top of my list of oils to try. However, looking at the motul.fr website last night I noticed that the oil and its approvals seem to have changed. It no longer has BMW LL-098 or VW 503.01 approval. VI has dropped from 177 to 171 (viscosity at 100c is the same) and pour point has dropped from -51c to -54c. The TDS no longer says 'ester based' although the website does.

MSDS lists - phosphorodithioic acid, mixed o,o-bis(1,3-dimethylbutyl and iso-pr) esters, zinc salts 1
Does this signal a change in base oils, perhaps to grp III+ and that Motul are focusing on their Specific ranges for major manufacturer approvals? I would be surprised if they switched from an ester base but I guess anything is possible. Anyone shed some light?

hermit

 

[dparm]

What's the date on the spec sheet? The one I see is 2006 and it still has the 177 VI.

BTW, VW 503.01 is an old spec and has been dropped.

 

[CATERHAM]

Hi hermit.

You're probabily right and Motul has "watered down" their X-lite 0W-30 with some GP III base oils.
BTW isn't this a heavy HTHSV 3.5cP oil?
Wouldn't their Eco-lite 0W-30 be more appropriate in a light 30wt application?

 

[hermit]

Hi dparm

seems to be 10/11, so the end of last year. They've also changed the packaging and no longer allude to the basestock composition, just '100% synthetic' or 'technosynthese'. Link below

http://www.motul.fr/gb/en/products/56

hermit

 

[hermit]

Hi CATERHAM

Yes its HTHSV is 3.6cP. Not looking to use this in my Auris, but in my next planned purchase

Looking to buy a used CR-V III and was thinking of using an ester based oil to help with initial clean-up. Maybe I'll throw a litre of 0w20 300v in with the X-lite if they've reduced the ester content. These can run A5B5 or A3B3, so if not X-lite it will probably be a toss up between Total Quartz 0w30 (A3B4) or Helix Ultra AS 0w30 (A5B5).

cheers

hermit

 

[CATERHAM]

What engine is in the Honda CR-V III; is it a diesel?
No petrol engine Honda on this side of the Atlantic requires an A3/B4 oil.

 

[hermit]

Petrol R20A. Honda manual states for europe A1B1 or A5B5 or A3B3, any viscosity from 0w20 to 10w40. Favourite seems to be 0w30.

hermit

 

[CATERHAM]

Okay, then I'd choose the lightest (and cheapest) oil available.
Honda's turn in great UOA wear numbers on anything.

 

[hermit]

Lightest being lowest HTHSV? I guess that would be an A5B5. I like the Helix Ultra AS as it also has GM LL-A-025 and Saab turbo approval. My guess is its a pretty tough oil, though unlike the Extra 5w30 it doesn't mention slack wax on the MSDS. I assume the HTHSV will be about 2.9? Any advantage in going for an A3B4?

hermit

 

[CATERHAM]

Yes lowest HTHSV and secondarily the highest VI.
I know how expensive petrol is in the UK so every bit helps assuming you don't have to pay a premium price for it.

 

[dparm]

VI is down to 171 (from 177)
KV @ 40 is up to 68.7 (from 66.5)
Density is down to 0.853 (from 0.856)
HTHS is up to 3.6 (from 3.57)

It's still API SL though the spec sheet no longer uses the word "ester". It was my understanding that the previous X-Lite 0w30 had the highest ester content of any of their street oils, save 300V.

With these newer specs, the shear stability should actually be a touch better!




The new sheet is dated October 2011:



8100 X-lite 0W-30
Gasoline and Diesel engine oil
100% Synthetic
TYPE OF USE
Specifically designed for powerful and recent cars, Diesel direct injection or Gasoline engines and
catalytic converters.
Suitable for all type of fuels: leaded or unleaded Gasoline, Diesel fuels and LPG.
PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS ACEA A3 / B4 API SL / CF
PERFORMANCES MB 229.3
VW 502 00 – 505 00
This 100% synthetic engine oil has been formulated, developed and tested according to the most
recent technical requirements. Exceeds the most stringent specified engine performance limits required
by European and US car manufacturers.
Provides extra oil film resistance at high temperature and very severe conditions thanks to its High
HTHS viscosity (> 3.5 mPa.s).
The performance ACEA B4 request an outstanding detergent / dispersant power and a better viscosity
increase resistance due to soot needed for a perfect lubrication of last generation Direct Injection Diesel
engines (exception for VW unit injector engines asking for at least MOTUL Specific 505 01 502 00 505
00 5W-40 or MOTUL 8100 X-clean 5W-40).
RECOMMENDATION
Drain interval: refer to manufacturers’ recommendations and tune to your own use.
Can be mixed with synthetic or mineral oils.
PROPERTIES
Viscosity grade SAE J 300 0W-30
Density at 20°C (68°F) ASTM D1298 0.853
Viscosity at 40°C (104°F) ASTM D445 68.7 mm²/s
Viscosity at 100°C (212°F) ASTM D445 11.9 mm²/s
HTHS viscosity at 150°C (302°F) ASTM D4741 3.6 mPa.s
Viscosity index ASTM D2270 171
Pour point ASTM D97 -54°C / -65.2°F
Flash point ASTM D92 232°C / 450°F
Sulfated ash ASTM D874 1.5% weight
TBN ASTM D2896 11.2 mg KOH/g

 

[hermit]

Thanks for posting that dparm. Am i right in assuming the ester mentioned in the MSDS is not the base oil, because if so that states less than 2.5%. Doesn't sound right. I looked, and ester is not mentioned on the Eco-lite MSDS either.

hermit

 

[SubLGT]

Does Motul ever publish MRV or CCS specs?

 

[dparm]

No, but if you call them they'll give you anything you want.

 

[SubLGT]

dparm, where did you find the new data sheet? When I click on the link that hermit provided I am immediately and automatically redirected to the USA site, where only the 2006 TDS is available.

 

[dparm]

I Googled "motul x-lite pds site:motul.com".

http://www.motul.com/system/product_descriptions/technical_data_sheets/56/8100%20X-lite%200W-30%20(GB).pdf?1323961360

 

[SubLGT]

Thanks dparm.

Overall it seems that these changes by Motul are intended to reduce raw materials costs, and not necessarily to improve the performance of the oil. Will be interesting to see if the price of X-Lite goes down.

 

[SubLGT]

Was looking at prices of this oil recently, and it has gone up , not down. 5L jugs used to sell for around $60-$65, but now are selling online for around $70 -$80. Is that price up there with the 300V oils?

 

[dailydriver]

^^^The new formula, Ester Core, 300V oils (in the 0W-xx weights at least) are ~ $33.00 a 2 liter tin now.

So the answer is yes, as it's just a hair more for the 300V brew.

BUT, a 300V 0W-30 DOES NOT EXIST, save for the pure race, crazy short OCI, mostly impossible to find or get, and ~ $70.00 a 2 liter tin Nismo Competition version.
So, it is impossible to compare prices, exact weight to exact weight, without mixing.

 

[dparm]

If you want a 0w30, just mix their 0w40 and 0w20. Both are available as Ester Core.