Lubricant specialist Motul became a member of the Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA) earlier this year and Motul Sales & Marketing Manager Automotive, Andy Wait, has been explaining the logic behind the move and outlining how he sees membership playing a key role in company development.

Andy explains that with the latest oils training, such as the Autoinform Live events, are vital with Motul having a clear strategy to educate at workshop level. Andy commented, “I recall the 5W30 Zetec engine; if the wrong grade of oil was poured in, the engine would misfire and display other symptoms. That was probably the first time I noticed workshops start to seriously think about what was being put into the engine. Fast-forward a decade, the technology of engine advancements has changed dramatically; low CC high output, lean-burn engines, tolerances, fuel efficiency and environmentally-friendly exhaust emissions are now driving manufacturers.” 

Andy adds, “There are four key checks when deciding what is the correct oil to specify for a car: type of oil, viscosity, ACEA or API recommendations and approval. Manufacturers are, especially within the first three years, checking to see if the approved oil is in the engine because that will affect the warranty. A lot of manufacturers are putting dyes or particular additive packs into the oil that will allow them to identify if it is approved or not. Motul is very good at ensuring approval is attached to the oils we sell.”

Andy says it is this type of knowledge that Motul wants to spread to technicians. It joined OESSA in February and quickly made an impression, by collaborating with fellow members in producing a ‘Belt in Oil’ synergy. In the workshop advice video, experts analysed a 1.2 Puretech system, offering advice on efficient system diagnosis and part replacement.

Andy says that oil is now a very specialist area with motorist fearful of making mistakes even with simple top ups. He comments, “We’ve got oils with high-temp, high-shear and low-shear, and if a driver puts low shear in a high-shear engine, they’ll destroy it. Look at modern hybrid engines, we’re getting down to grades 08. Ten years ago, I never thought that would be possible, but additive packs allow for that to happen. Tolerances are so tight to get emissions down, to reduce friction and less drag.”

Andy concludes, “I urge people to leave it the professionals! The industry as a whole is getting very technical; oil has come on just as quickly as technology has inside the vehicle, but technicians can be assured that Motul and OESAA are by their side, to guide them every step of the way.”