MANNOL Highlights Engine Oil Challenges for Hybrid Powertrains

Hybrid powertrains present new technical challenges for engine oils due to frequent start-stop cycles, cold starts, and varying load profiles. MANNOL, a lubricant brand under the umbrella of SCT Group, is responding to this development with specially formulated engine oils that meet the requirements of modern hybrid vehicles, thereby contributing to the engine’s efficiency, protection, and longevity.

Hybrid Meets Conventional Technology

The increasing prevalence of hybrid powertrains presents new challenges not only for powertrain technology but also for lubricant development. While conventional internal combustion engines operate under largely continuous thermal and mechanical load profiles, hybrid operation is characterized by highly dynamic load changes, frequent cold starts, and prolonged periods of low oil temperatures. For engine oil, this means a significant shift in performance requirements, with direct implications for wear protection, ageig stability, and efficiency.

Start-stop Operation Presents New Challenges for Engine Oil

The key factor here is the high frequency of start-stop cycles in the internal combustion engine. Unlike in conventional powertrains, the engine in a hybrid vehicle often runs only intermittently, sometimes under unfavorable temperature conditions. This requires excellent low-temperature properties and the rapid formation of a stable lubricating film immediately after start-up. At the same time, there is an increased risk of fuel ingress and condensation forming in the oil, which alters the viscosity and promotes corrosive processes. Modern engine oils must therefore incorporate optimized additive technologies that compensate for the effects of water and fuel while simultaneously preventing deposits.

Another important aspect is the precise control of the internal combustion engine in the hybrid powertrain. The system ensures that the engine operates primarily within particularly efficient operating ranges in order to save fuel. However, this can lead to higher local temperatures, which place greater strain on the engine oil. It must therefore retain its properties over the long term, even under high thermal stress, and resist oxidation. At the same time, minimizing friction is crucial, as even small gains in efficiency can noticeably reduce the fuel consumption of the entire system.

“Even under high-stress conditions, such as during a sudden overtaking maneuver or rapid acceleration, the engine must deliver its maximum power within a very short time. In such cases, the engine is often not yet within its optimum operating temperature range, but is virtually cold. Under these conditions, the engine oil must immediately form a reliable lubricating film while simultaneously meeting the increased demands for wear protection, friction minimization, and thermal stability. These specific operating profiles clearly demonstrate that hybrid powertrains place specific demands on modern engine oils,” said Konstantin Gaab, Managing Director, MANNOL / SCT Germany.

Electrical Components Expand the Range of Requirements

In certain hybrid architectures, electric motors and power electronics are used in close proximity to the internal combustion engine. This places additional demands on the oil’s material compatibility and, potentially, on its electrical properties, for example, with regard to its interaction with electrically active components.

Against this backdrop, MANNOL is continuously refining its engine oils and tailoring formulations specifically to the requirements of modern hybrid powertrains. High-quality base oils and high-performance additive technologies ensure rapid lubricant film formation, high oxidation stability, and effective protection against wear, deposits, and corrosion. Products specifically designed for hybrid vehicles thus make an important contribution to efficiency, operational reliability, and a long engine service life – both in everyday use and under demanding operating conditions.

For more information: www.sct-germany.de