Technical update by our Operations & Technical Director, Michael Kenyon

With over 30-years’ experience in the lubricants industry, our Technical and Operations Director, Michael Kenyon is always available for lubricant application and approval advice.

Witham Group constantly appraises and updates its product range, working with the largest and most respected global technology providers, ensuring the correct oil for the correct application is achieved at all times.

Here is our latest lubricant technical update about truck approvals.

Renault Trucks

Since their acquisition by Volvo Trucks, Renault Truck approvals have mirrored Volvo approvals. Volvo have already released their new VDS-5 specification into the service fill market but there has been a delay in making this specification available to the lubricant blenders. The Union of the European Lubricants Industry (UEIL), have challenged Volvo on this delay.

Volvo have clarified their position and confirmed lubricants meeting Volvo -VDS 4.5 can be used in place of the new Volvo VDS-5. Our Qualube Extremol FS 10W-30 is formally approved by Volvo as meeting VDS 4.5 so can be
used with confidence both inside and outside of warranty.

As Volvo issue both specifications, it is unsurprising that UEIL have taken issue regarding the newly released Renault RLD-5 also. Below is the UEIL bulletin that details Volvo Trucks response as well as clarification as to suitable substitutes:

“The Union of the European Lubricant Industry (UEIL) is the umbrella association of the European Lubricants Industry, representing their members and, in particular, the interests of SMEs and independent lubricant companies. To date, the UEIL represents more than 450 lubricant companies, who manufacture and distribute lubricant products under their own various trademarks throughout the European Union. With members in more than 22 European Countries and a unique collective experience of lubricants and the lubricants market, UEIL is the sole representative body for independent manufacturers of lubricants in Europe and has been recognised as such by the European Commission. It is UEIL’s policy to favour free and fair competition within the scope of prevailing EU and national laws”.

“UEIL has recently been in touch with Mr. Bengt Otterholm, Volvo Group Lubricants Coordinator, about RLD-5 Renault Trucks specification. He has informed us that their target is to have the RLD-5 specification available in the public domain by the end of 2020. He has also specified that RLD-5 oils are only allowed in the most recent 13L engines (Euro VI Step D) and are not backwards compatible to any other engine. RLD-5 is not an exclusive requirement ; all engines, including the 13L Euro VI Step D, can use RLD-3 quality. UEIL thanks Volvo Group for this information.”

The Witham Group have a number of products that meet both RLD-3 and approved RLD-4 also, so please speak to our Sales or Technical team for more information.

MAN

MAN Trucks are releasing two new specifications to market.

1 – MAN M3777 allows a further 20,000 KM longer oil drain and is predominately recommended for severe conditions. The current MAN M3677 is met by our Qualube Supremol 5W-30 which will likely be upgraded to this new specification as it is confirmed to be backward compatible to M3677. This specification is expected to hit the market end of 2021 or early 2022.

2 – MAN M3977 which will be an SAE 5W-20 viscosity fuel efficient grade for their next generation engines which will become active Q2, 2021. This will be a new product in the range and will not be backward compatible to earlier specifications.

Scania

Scania have updated their gear & transmission specifications. Previously Scania Trucks had STO:1 which was available in various grades and would cover both gear & transmission applications.

These have now been updated and separated out under two new extended drain specifications, namely:

• Transmission – STO:2G SAE 75W-90. This will be covered by our new product – Qualube Syntogear SG 75W-90.
• Axles – STO:2A SAE 75W-140. This will be covered by our new product – Qualube Syntogear SA 75W-140.

Both grades will be backward compatible to the earlier STO:1 These two new products are in the process of being submitted to Scania Trucks and will be ready for sale January 2021.

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For more information about products for commercial vehicles please contact your Sales or Technical Team at your local depot, or visit our website.