AD Oil - The Right Oil For The Job!

AD Oil - The Right Oil For The Job!

Whilst much of the talk in the Automotive Industry concerns the move to all electric vehicles, for many this is not an option. Whether this is due to headlines of 3 hour queues for public chargers, a lack of at home charging capability or simply down to mileage patterns being unsuitable for electric vehicle driving many are looking for alternatives.

In many instances, plug-in hybrid vehicles provide this alternative. The attractiveness of benefit-in-kind rates, the ability to run in electric-only modes, and lower emissions combined with the ability to fill up at the pumps, quickly eliminate the range anxiety issues that many fear. But these, along with newer - smaller engine conventional petrol vehicles, come with a different set of issues.

As vehicle manufacturers continue to push the boundaries in terms of fuel economy and lowering emissions, they do so using smaller, lighter engines operating at lower speeds and higher pressures to deliver high torque output using direct injection technology.

These combined factors can lead to a phenomenon known as low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI).

What is LSPI?

Low-speed pre-ignition typically occurs at lower speeds and at times of spontaneous acceleration, and is where the fuel and air mixture injected into the cylinder ignites before the spark plugs actually fire, essentially causing the expanding hot gasses rushing through the cylinder to ignite before the pistons are in position and aligned. LSPI causes holes in pistons, melted spark plugs, and ultimately, engine failure. Consider a typical 1.0L 3-cylinder engine in which two cylinders have ignited with the correct timing, turning the crankshaft in the correct direction with significant torque, whilst the third cylinder experiences an LSPI event, exerting significant counter torque on the shaft. These events can be catastrophic.

What Causes LSPI?

Whilst significant research has been performed into low- speed pre-ignition events, a single definitive underlying cause is yet to be identified. Instead, experts point to the engine oil, fuel, and engine components as all contributing toward LSPI events.

Research studies learned that engine oil droplets are the most common cause of low-speed pre-ignition, as microscopic droplets enter the combustion chamber, mixing with the fuel and air to alter the mixture’s density and ignition point, causing LSPI.

AD Oils are formulated using high-quality virgin base oils in combination with top-tier additive packages, detergents, dispersant packages, and anti-foam additives that have been extensively tested to protect vehicles against pre-ignition events.

AD Oils partner with the leading additive and base oil providers to ensure that the additives being used within the formulations are designed to counter LSPI events.

Modern additive chemistry is changing to adapt to the ‘LSPI phenomenon’ by replacing calcium with magnesium, whilst maintaining the level of detergent required and adjusting the levels of Molybdenum within the additives; these all serve to help eliminate the LSPI effect, although this can differ depending on the engine manufacturer. Quality additive technology alone is not the answer; when formulated with quality virgin synthetic base oils, LSPI events can be significantly reduced, but this is not always the case when using low-quality additives formulated with inferior or re-cycled base oils. Our onsite laboratory rigorously tests all formulations to ensure the products either meet or exceed any requirements for the particular application.

We source quality additives and virgin base oil stocks to formulate a number of products for different manufacturers’ specifications, and to provide a comprehensive product range that meets the objectives required from engine oil, so that the user can have total confidence in the product to be used.

Click here to purchase AD Oils - Engine Oils