An electronic oil guide

Apps seem to be popping up everywhere – which is a good thing, as they enhance connectivity. (Our very own FOCUS app is now available at the Google Play Store and will soon be at Apple’s App Store). Liqui Moly is taken things a step further by adding some new features to its free, online oil guide.

After entering the make, model and engine version, the results can now be optimised to include the model year, kilometres and desired oil quality. “This gives users more precise results,” states Peter Baumann, marketing manager at Liqui Moly Germany.



The online oil guide is the most popular feature on Liqui Moly’s website. The company states that, every day, nearly 30 000 drivers and mechanics use it to see which motor oil, transmission oil, power steering oil and brake fluid is best suited to the vehicle in question.

“Our oil guide helps the automotive industry, car owners, motorcyclists, as well as all other oil and lubrication users to find their way in the jungle of manufacturers’ approvals and industrial standards,” says Liqui Moly GM Melicia Labuschagne. “Using the wrong oil is just as bad as installing the wrong component.”

The “jungle” can contain an extensive list of suitable oils – which is where the upgrades come in. With the new filter function, this long list can be shortened to just a few products, which are optimally suited to the specific condition of the vehicle. (On older cars, with high kilometres, some oils provide better results than on new vehicles. Users can also indicate whether they prefer a synthetic or mineral oil.)

The existing vehicle categories: cars, vans, trucks/buses, motorcycles, agricultural vehicles and vintage cars have been extended to include two new groups: construction machines and marine. “This makes it easier for construction companies and boat owners to service their equipment,” adds Labuschagne.


The country-based adaptation of the results is also new. The online oil guide recognises the country from which the user accesses the site. In countries with extremely hot climates, motor oils with a viscosity of 0W are not indicated, when other viscosities are approved, because higher viscosity oils are better in such cases.

In countries with high sulphur content in the fuel, no recommendations are made regarding the intervals for changing oil. High quantities of sulphur lead to increased amounts of acid in the motor oil. At some point the motor oil can no longer neutralise this acid, making it necessary to change the oil before reaching the regular oil change interval.



“All these improvements increase the benefit of our oil guide,” says Labuschagne. “While we want as many vehicle owners as possible to use our motor oil – we also want them to use it correctly.”