Powertrain

Synthetic lubricants developed to deliver more engine efficiency, better fuel economy, and a quieter drive.

Starter motors must withstand the elements, temperatures from -40˚C to 200˚C, and 50,000 duty cycles or more. Issues of high load and torque, especially during cold crank, also have to be considered. Effectively lubricating the motors’ gears, bearings, and splines requires a careful blend of synthetic oils, additives and gellants. Popular starter motor lubricants feature PAO and ester blends with additives for extreme pressure, corrosion protection, and friction reduction.

Gears – Rheolube 380

Electrical leads – NyoGel 760G

Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valves are exposed to extremely high temperatures and acidic exhaust fumes. PFPEs thickened with PTFE perform well in this demanding environment. They offer the broadest temperature capabilities of any synthetic lubricant and are unaffected by corrosive gases and liquids. PFPE/PTFE lubricants regularly ensure 100,000 mile EGR service.

EGR valves – Uniflor 8472

EGR temperature sensors – Rheotemp 768G

Superchargers. Synthetic lubricants have been a mainstay in lube-for-life superchargers. For gears and powdered metal parts, a light viscosity ester oil with a robust antioxidant package is recommended. For high-speed bearing applications, a light viscosity ester grease with EP additives has been proven extremely effective.

Supercharger gears – Nye Synthetic Oil 605

Supercharger needle bearings – Rheoplex 6000HT

Transmission. PRNDL assemblies require lubrication chiefly to dampen noise and create a perception of quality not often found in plastic parts. The synthetic lubricant should enable the mechanism to slide smoothly between notches while imparting a quality feel to the thumb-activated release mechanism. It should withstand the cold and offer vibration and noise reduction.

PRNDL gear shifting – Rheosil 500F

Shift linkage – Rheolube 363F

Bearings in dual clutch transmission – Rheolube 380

Radiator fan motor bearings must withstand high heat, dust, dirt, and debris. A complex sodium-soap, light viscosity ester is effective. It is also an option for bearings in alternators, water pumps, and air conditioner compressors.

Assembly aid – NyoGel 783H

Electronic Throttle Control. The stepper motor that powers an electronic throttle control must withstand high temperatures and corrosive fuel system vapours. Fluorinated lubricants, which are inherently inert, tolerate this kind of environment. In addition to staying fluid at very low temperatures, their superior thermo-oxidative stability prevents high-temperature varnishing, even at continuous temperatures of 250°C.

Throttle body bearings – Uniflor 8911

Bearings in throttle position sensors – Uniflor 8981R

Throttle position sensors and valves – Uniflor 8950

Take a look the automotive powertrain related articles below, including theory, test videos, product selection guides and case studies.

Lubrication regime explanation-Types of lubrication

Lubrication regime explanation-Types of lubrication

There are three primary lubrication regimes, which are boundary, mixed, and hydrodynamic lubrication. Lubrication regimes describe the type of lubrication film that is created under specific operating conditions and is dependent on the degree of contact between surfaces. Boundary Lubrication During boundary lubrication, opposing surfaces meet with little or no…

Base oil temperature capability information

Base oil temperature capability information

We have a number of base oils to select from when formulating a grease. Quite often the first way to start the product selection process is ruling out grease that doesn’t have the temperature capability that is required in your application. The chart featured on this page gives the reader…

Lubricant Additive overview

Lubricant Additive overview

There are a variety lubricant additives that we have the ability to include in our grease formulations. Note that we describe our additives, we use terminology relating to the benefit of the additive rather than than giving details of the chemical way in which the benefit is achieved; we don’t…

Pour Point test (ASTM D-97)

Pour Point test (ASTM D-97)

The purpose of the Pour Point test is to help define the lowest operating temperature for an oil. During this relatively simple test, the temperature is slowly reduced and it is noted at what point the fluid becomes too viscous to flow. Some times Pour Point is referred to as…

Grease thickener characteristics

Grease thickener characteristics

The grease range we offer uses a wide variety of thickener systems. The various characteristics of the thickener (also known as gellant – US terminology) gives the ability of our grease formulators to meet the challenges faced by our customers. Formulating a grease generally involves balancing the pros and cons…

Introduction to Silicone

Introduction to Silicone

The Silicone oil family is a group of synthetic polymers that combine an inorganic silicon-oxygen backbone with organic side chains, which can include methyl, phenyl and trifluoropropyl. Variations on the chemical structure affect the properties. Silicones are also called Polysiloxanes. Poly(dimethylsiloxane) are the most common silicone used commercially. PAO summary:…

Understanding Kinematic Viscosity

Understanding Kinematic Viscosity

Kinematic Viscosity (KV) is a type of viscosity data point that you will see on all our synthetic lubricant technical data sheets. There are different ways to measure the viscosity of a lubricant as the subject matter is not simple. Kinematic Viscosity is an oil/fluid resistance to flow under the…

PTFE thickener introduction

PTFE thickener introduction

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a fluorocarbon-based polymer which has the appearance of a white powder but the particle size varies from micron to sub-micron; final particle size depends on the milling process. The polymerisation process controls the molecular weight of PTFE and the density is approximately 2.2 g/ml. PTFE has a…

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