TotalEnergies presents the best way to select the oil for your engine. This method is recommended by both oil producers and engine manufacturers and is the only one that works well in the modern automotive industry.
One viscosity grade, many different oils!
In this particular case, they are:
BMW: LL-17 FE (1.5 L 3 cyl. TwinPower Turbo - special product)
Aston Martin (5.2 V12 biturbo engine)
FORD: WSS-M2C-952-A1 (level)
Jaguar Land Rover: STJLR .03.5007A.
Now another oil, also TotalEnergies, also 0W-20, but this time Quartz INEO Xtra First 0W-20. It has the same viscosity class as the one presented earlier, also meets the ACEA: C5 standard, but has completely different approvals:
PSA: B71 2010FIAT: 9.55535-DM1 (level)
OPEL: OV 040 1547-A20
A therefore both oils are not interchangeable although they come from the same manufacturer, have the same viscosity class and meet the same ACEA:C5 standard!
Choose oil based on the manufacturer's approvals
Consumer tests under question?
To put it simply - a specific oil with a specific approval in its „target engine” will be an ideal solution, but in another unit requiring a different approval it may turn out to be a wrong or even unacceptable choice.
Therefore there is a very high probability that when testing different oils on a randomly selected engine without regard to producer approvals, incorrect results will be obtained. It is also possible that substituting one oil in a given viscosity grade for another oil of the same brand, same viscosity grade but with a different approval will produce different test results.
Approval of individual oils for selected engines is the result of very advanced design work and tests. In order to obtain the manufacturer's approval, the oil often has to meet the appropriate ACEA or API standard, and then undergo additional tests on the vehicle manufacturer's dynamometers as well as a number of laboratory tests. Such tests check a number of issues that are important for engine life: wear of individual components, cleanliness, sludge, deposits, ring sticking, etc. But also the effect of oil on GPF or DPF clogging as well as compatibility with frequently used wet timing belts. There are also approvals in which the effect of the oil on reducing the number of L.S.P.I (pre-ignition at low engine speeds, which often also leads to knocking) is tested. In principle, it is impossible to list here all the points that an oil must meet in order to meet a specific manufacturer's approval. This is currently the most important quality certificate and the only right criterion for selecting oil for modern engines.
Andrzej Husiatyński, Technical Department of TotalEnergies Marketing Polska
Be careful with oil additives!
The fact that a given additive will stop oil leaks or seal rings may lead to unforeseen side effects in the form of damage to the oil pump or deterioration of the quality of lubrication in selected areas of the engine, where there are, for example, extreme temperatures or increased pressures. We are not talking about the fact that, for example, an additive may increase the engine's susceptibility to knocking.
Very popular are „flushes” used before each oil change. In this case, we also believe that when using the right quality, i.e. homologated oil, and maintaining the appropriate mileage, there is no need to do such flushes. The oil keeps any soluble contaminants in its volume and after draining the oil, the engine is clean. Always after replacing the oil, a part of the old oil with the additive in it remains in the system. When it is „aggressive chemistry”, by mixing with new oil, it can negatively affect, for example, elastomers used in seals or timing belts.
The highest quality oils, such as TotalEnergies, contain a very wide spectrum of expensive additives, the impact of which on the engine has been thoroughly tested and confirmed by approval/approval of individual engine manufacturers. A mixture of homologated oil + additive is always a completely new product with untested properties.
The selection of oil based on the manufacturer's approval is actually a convenience for the buyer. Just compare the symbols in the instruction manual with those on the oil package. If they are compatible - you can confidently choose a given product. No knowledge of oil classification is required. When the homologation is properly selected, the viscosity of the oil is of secondary importance. It is often the case that approvals are also issued for given geographical regions due to ambient temperatures, exhaust emission standards or the composition of the fuel used.
Andrzej Husiatyński, Technical Department of TotalEnergies Marketing Polska
About TotalEnergies Marketing Polska:
TotalEnergies Marketing Polska has been operating in Poland since 1992 and has an established position on the engine oil market. It offers products of two well-known brands TotalEnergies and Elf. Since 2008, TotalEnergies also offers bitumen products and is present in the market of industrial special fluids. In December 2014, TotalEnergies launched the first petrol stations in Poland, thus entering the retail market. In 2021, TotalEnergies opened the first car washes and launched a project to create a charging network for electric vehicles.
About the TotalEnergies Marketing Services:
TotalEnergies Marketing Services offers its professional and private customers a wide range of energy products and services - petroleum products, biofuels, charging and related services for electric vehicles, road and marine gas - to support their mobility and help them reduce their carbon footprint. Every day, over 8 million customers visit our 16,000 service stations around the world. Number four in the world in lubricants, we design and market high-performance products for the automotive, industrial and marine sectors. In order to best respond to the needs of our B2B customers, we deploy our sales force, our international logistics network and our diverse offer. We operate in 107 countries, where our 31,000 employees are close to all our customers.
About TotalEnergies:
TotalEnergies is a multi-energy concern that produces and sells energy on a global scale: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gas, renewable energy sources and electricity. Our 105,000 employees are committed to creating ever cheaper, clean, reliable and accessible energy to as many people as possible. Active in over 130 countries, TotalEnergies focuses on sustainable development in all its dimensions, in particular in the area of its projects and business operations, which are to contribute to increasing the quality of life of people around the world.
Contact TotalEnergies:
Bartosz Cyran | bartosz.cyran@proautomotive.pl | +48 662 454 679.
Legal Notice:
The terms „TotalEnergies”, „TotalEnergies Company” or „Company” in this document are used to refer to TotalEnergies SE and consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Similarly, the words „we”, „us” and „our” may also be used to refer to these entities or their employees. Entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly holds shares are separate legal entities. TotalEnergies SE is not responsible for the actions or omissions of these entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a range of economic data and assumptions made in the particular economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove inaccurate in the future and are subject to many risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries undertakes to publicly update any information or forward-looking statements, objectives or trends contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information regarding risk factors that may affect the financial results or operations of TotalEnergies is contained in the most recent Registration Document, the French version of which has been filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) and in Form 20-F filed with US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
