CASTROL – BRAND OF CHOICE
Modern internal combustion engines experience maximum mechanical efficiencies of around 90%, utilizing almost all extracted work for engine output. However, frictional losses from sliding surfaces and lubricant shear rob the engine of a significant amount of the mechanical work that it extracted from the combustion charge. It is the duty of engine oil to mitigate this problem by lubricating and protecting sliding surfaces, and in turn minimizing engine friction and maximizing durability as much as possible. Engines use one dedicated engine oil to lubricate the entire engine, so considering and understanding different lubrication regimes, operating conditions, and functional requirements present all over the engine when developing an engine oil, is a key to a successful oil formulation.
Acknowledging that engine oil serves different purposes in different parts of the engine, a lubricant manufacturer may formulate a particular engine oil exclusively for use within a particular engine considering all of its subsystems like valvetrain system, crankcase system, piston-liner system, oil pumping and variable valve timing system, turbocharger system and increasingly important is the vehicles exhaust gas after-treatment systems. Although many components are continuously supplied with engine oil, local differences in component temperature, pressure, and relative surface speed will greatly affect what lubrication regimes dominates lubrication. Some surfaces are completely separated by a fluid film of engine oil while others may still exhibit significant metal-to-metal surface contact. Understanding the mechanisms that influence both friction and wear at sliding and rolling surfaces is important when attempting to design lubricants for low friction and low wear operation at different engine operating conditions.
In a basic tribosystem, it is not simply the function of lubricants employed to handle friction and wear, but it also includes opposing parts and their material and surface properties, surface topography, tolerances, the loads and relative motions presented by the application, and the environment under which this entire system is operating. United by a determination to remain at the frontier of industry standards, Castrol co-engineers and develops engine oils and transmission oils/fluids jointly together with OEM’s (Original Equipment Manufacturers) that boost performance to experience the exhilaration of driving.
In over 115 years of pioneering lubricant technology, Castrol has always worked closely with leading car manufacturers to co-develop high performance engine oils and transmission oils/fluids. Leading car manufacturers have chosen Castrol as its preferred strategic partner for lubricants for several decades already and in some cases the cooperation dates back to as far as 1899. The continuous, advanced and unique testing possibilities at Castrol Technology Centre is why many OEM’s choose Castrol as their lubricant technology partner. Our work with OEM’s on innovative engine technology solutions and co-engineered lubricants ensures this long-standing partnership is always taking new strides and setting industry standards for everyone else to follow. The insights and innovations we develop push the boundaries of performance far beyond imaginable and bring man and machine ever closer to complete synchronicity. The resulting patented formulations and jointly developed specifications are tailor-made for the latest engines and transmissions and are specifically developed to meet OEM’s unique technology requirements considering also trends in environmental legislations and future technologies yet to come. Working jointly with OEM’s Research & Development departments to create future generations of lubricants is what helps us do that. These oils are custom-made to fit the precise requirements of OEM’s and to unlock potential fuel savings and CO2 reductions from fuels, engine oils and transmission oils/fluids. Currently, lubrication is a key methodology to reduce energy consumption and emissions, which is very important to create a sustainable society. All OEM’s are developing new vehicle infrastructures to reduce the level of CO2 emission. By being the world’s first in delivering certified CO2 neutral engine oils to our partners and consumers worldwide we received a great international aclaim as every litre is certified to the highest globally-recognised standard for measuring and managing the CO2 footprint of a product’s lifecycle.
Castrol is always pushing the boundaries of physical, chemical and applied sciences and technologies to be ahead of time, it works with world-leading scientists in renowned academic institutions that are specialists in examining material properties in extreme environments at a molecular level. Through this close collaboration Castrol is the first choice not only in automotive but is also leading industrial and marine sector by providing a complete range of tailor-made lubricants along with our deep knowledge and expertise. Our lubricants are also the choice by NASA and European Space Agency in numerous projects and outer space applications including the International Space Station, Mars Curiosity, space suits and Hubble Space Telescope to name a few – our lubricants technology is really touching the edge of the world.
No other lubricant brand is recommended by as many OEM’s as Castrol. OEM endorsements are proven in research as very beneficial: they suggest that the oil has gone through enormous testing and OEM has decided for the best (the performance of these lubricants go far beyond standard approvals and specifications). This says much more about the quality of the lubricant compared to one that is “just” approved. In striving to create cutting-edge products, we’ve become OEM’s recommended lubricant partner for both their factory first-fill and dealership exclusive aftermarket supply. Therefore it builds important trust and an easy to follow guideline for consumers for which brand to use. That is why when people ask which engine oil or transmission oil/fluid is recommended for their vehicle, the answer is Castrol.
Oil is an important constructional element of machinery, it is the lifeblood of your engine and transmission. So choosing the correct lubricants for your vehicle according to the manufacturer’s recommendation can make a big difference when it comes to performance and reliability in every situation.
