The long-term effects of using low-quality engine oil

Chris Clarkson, the global technical and procurement officer at Duckhams – which is celebrating its 125th year in 2024 – offers an in-depth insight as to why product quality counts when it comes to engine oil.

Passenger car engine oil is an incredibly competitive market, with new brands entering the sector frequently. Pressure on margins is high, with motor factors and workshops alike looking to balance rising costs and inflation against drivers looking to save money where possible.

There’s a saying that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and it could certainly be applied to the complex, changing world of engine oil.

With rapid increases in labour, parts, fuel and insurance costs, workshops are looking to make cost savings where they can. You might be looking at cheaper products to pass on cost savings to customers and offset your own rising costs, but I urge you to be cautious when it comes to engine oil.

Engine oils are not just commodity products; that’s why at Duckhams Oils, we have highly engineered products in Classic Q, Hypergrade, QS and QXR that play a vital role in achieving fuel efficiency and emissions regulation targets, making them a key component in vehicle performance and longevity.

Using a poor quality oil probably won’t result in obvious damage from day one; however, over time, it can cause increased wear to critical parts of the engine. These parts will break down quicker, and fuel efficiency will be compromised. All this creates knock-on costs for motorists – and potential damage to professional reputations – that could be avoided by using the correct, quality engine oil.

Poorer quality, cheaper engine oil will likely be made from group one or mineral-based base oil from unreliable sources or emerging markets. The additives are unlikely to have been through full development or testing.

By contrast, premium engine oils, like Duckhams QXR and QS oils, are made from high-quality materials in a formulation proven through multi-million-pound testing. The base oil is likely to be a more refined group two or group three oil, which gives better stability and thermal oxidation properties. This ensures the lubricant performs well over the lifetime of the oil drain interval.

While some oils may be cheaper in the short term, they are unlikely to reduce the cost of ownership in the long term. Wellknown, trusted brands have been around for decades, developing products to meet the changing needs of the vehicle parc and investing in OEM approvals to confirm their claims.

If you are offered a private label formulation or branded product that sounds too good to be true, don’t be afraid to challenge and check. Ask the supplier to provide technical data sheets to confirm that the product has the correct approvals. Look closely at the language they use. Is the product actually approved by an OEM, or just ‘suitable for use’ or ‘meets the requirements of’? There’s a big difference. By investing in OEM approvals, a manufacturer has proven that a product is suitable for the application. The product will have gone through hours of testing at a significant cost.

Go online and check if the brand has registered with European lubricants organisations, ATIEL and Sail Europe. Any lubricant marketer claiming any ACEA performance standards must be a signatory of the European Engine Lubricant Quality Management System (EELQMS) marketers’ Letter of Conformance, even if they are based in the UK and only sell products in the UK. This can be checked simply and easily here.

You can also contact the OEM or the Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS), if you have any concerns about a product. VLS is an independent organisation which investigates complaints about engine oils and other lubricants. I have volunteered on the VLS technical review panel for the past three years and have seen first-hand some of the problems when engine oil suppliers push the boundaries. It seems to be a growing trend.

With margins under pressure, it is tempting to look for cheaper formulations; however, formulations must be proven, products must be able to deliver what they claim and be safe to use for a vehicle’s lifetime. Give yourself and your customers peace of mind by choosing quality oils.

Partners and distributors from around the world gathered at a Duckhams’ VIP event at the final round of the 2024 British GT Championship at Brands Hatch.

Guests were treated to a pitlane experience and the chance to hear from Silver-Am Championship-winning British GT driver, Adam Smalley, and Duckhams’ British Touring Car Championship driver, Daryl DeLeon. Each opened up about their experience during the season and the difference Duckhams’ support makes to their success.

British GT 2024 and Porsche Carerra Cup GB 2023 winner, Adam, said: “As a driver, I rely on every aspect of my car’s performance to give me an edge. Engine reliability and performance are key, and that’s where Duckhams plays a vital role. Its oils provide the protection and efficiency needed for my car to perform at its peak during some of the most intense moments of racing.”

At the event, Duckhams debuted its new corporate video, showcasing the milestones in its 125-year legacy and its plans to shape the industry’s future for the next 125 years and beyond.

Duckhams Chairman, Jabir Sheth, welcomed the guests and highlighted that “brands do not make people, but people make brands”. Mike Bewsey, global CEO, shared Duckhams’ plans for growth across Europe, MENA and Asia through its new global leadership team. Rajat Moitra, global CMO, highlighted the brand’s marketing plans, including motorsports partnerships and digital initiatives such as loyalty apps for workshops.

A highlight of the VIP event was the Duckhams Partner Awards. A range of global distributors were awarded for business excellence. Duckhams and motorsports have been synonymous with each other during the brand’s 125-year legacy. This began with the land-speed record in 1948 and extends to numerous F1, BTCC, British GT, Formula Ford and BRIC Superbikes championships with celebrated drivers of yesteryear, like Colin Chapman, Ayrton Senna, James Hunt, John Surtees and current champions, like Dan Cammish, Shaun Balfe, Adam and Daryl.