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Roadworx Communications
As the fuel price continues its march upwards, driven primarily by political uncertainty, consumers are asking themselves, “what can we do about our motoring costs?”
Driving smart is one answer and limiting unnecessary trips, car-pooling then taking into consideration that sitting in morning rush hour is far more fuel-intensive than sitting at 100 km/h on the open road are some options. Furthermore, consideration can be given to use of the air conditioner – for the record, the additional air resistance caused by open windows doesn’t offset the increase in mechanical drag caused by artificially-cooled air. In other words, rather keep the windows closed.
But most of all, keeping a vehicle properly serviced and tuned is the best way to maximise efficiency – whether this be the engine, the gearbox or anything else which can generate mechanical drag. Small three-and four-cylinder engines are capable of cruising comfortably at a true 120 km/h while sipping less than five litres per 100 km, but that’s because mechanical engineers and tribologists have worked for years to reduce internal friction.
According to Shaldon Botes, Senior Application Engineer at Liqui Moly South Africa, details such as the grade and quality of gearbox oil matters: “Modern drivetrains are complex engineering mechanisms which require specific friction characteristics to which workshops and DIY enthusiast should pay careful attention. Modern high performance, low viscosity oils are now quite commonplace and not only will an incorrect oil affect consumption and efficiency but can compromise gearshift quality too. Not paying attention to this not only undoes all that research and development but can also cause accelerated wear.”
Components work better when they reach their operating temperature, but oils need to maintain the correct viscosity (thickness) and therefore lubricating properties in a process that can go from below freezing to 120 degrees Celsius – or more – in minutes.
Fortunately, with the Liqui Moly Advantage application, consumers can check which grade of oil or fluid is correct for their vehicle, and shop accordingly. By setting up a “garage” on the App, it is simple to track what is needed for each vehicle in an entire fleet – whether it be for a family or a business.
Even components like wheel bearings and CV joints need to be greased correctly (in terms of the lubricant’s suitability for an application) if they are to provide an ideal combination of minimal drag and maximum protection across a broad temperature range.
“The lubricating requirements of a modern vehicle’s various systems continue to evolve, with Liqui Moly’s engineering team remaining abreast of developments so that they can continue providing solutions that meet and exceed the requirements of continuously changing standards,” concludes Botes.
The Advantage App can be downloaded from the App store.
ENDS