Oil change intervals are reduced”
Karlfried Fuchs from technical support at Petronas Lubricants Germany talks about trends in the lubricants sector.

Oil change intervals are reduced”
Automotive economy:Mr. Fuchs, what trends can currently be seen in the lubricants market?
Karlfried Fuchs:The trend towards thinner oils (e.g. 0W20) is unmistakable. Such thin high-tech oils have an additive content of 30 to 35 percent, which means that the oils tend to be a little more expensive, since practically all lubricant manufacturers have to buy the additive packages.
Do start-stop systems affect the engine oil?
The oil change intervals are reduced again due to these systems, estimated by around 10,000 kilometers, as start-stop operation puts a lot of stress on the engine oil. By the way: The average oil change interval in Germany and Austria is around 17,500 kilometers.
Do you need special engine oils for start-stop systems?
No. If an oil has the manufacturer's approval for a model with a start-stop system, it should also be able to withstand these operating strains. I am not aware of any engines with start-stop systems being developed with special engine oils.
Which divisions will be interesting for Petronas in the future?
I still see great potential in industrial lubricants and in the area of gear oils. Ultimately, it's more and more about reducing friction. Inside the engine you can't get as much out of it with oils. However, when it comes to gear and industrial lubricants, there is still a little bit to be gained with high-quality additives to further reduce fuel consumption. Industrial lubricants are also needed for electric vehicles.