By Automotive Online on September 29, 2008 9:31 AM

 
Lubrication in general refers to the techniques used to reduce wear of one or both surfaces moving relative to each another, by bringing between them a substance (lubricant) which carries the load created with the rubbing of surfaces.

In case of an automobile engine, if it wasn't for the lubrication system the engine would self-destruct due to the friction between its moving parts. Inside an engine a lubricant serves two purposes. First it lubricates the bearing surfaces and second it keeps the bearings cool by absorbing the heat generated due to movement.


The system includes a sump, which contains the lubricant. When the engine is in motion a pump forces the oil out of the sump to the air filter and the bearings with pressure. Next, the lubricant moves through small holes called “feed-holes,” within the crankshaft to the bearings of the connecting rod.

As the crankshaft rotates, the oil further spreads to the cylinder walls and piston-pin bearings. At the same time small pipes from the main supply line of the system feed the camshaft bearings and timing chain and gears with the oil. The lubricant on being used up is fed back to the sump where it's cooled down and reused.

Lubrication System Components

Lots of automotive parts ensure an effective and efficient automobile lubrication system. Each of them has an important role to play in the system's functioning. The following are some common lubrication system parts.

Automotive Fluids and Greases

Automobile fluids include engine oil, automotive transmission fluids, etc. The function of these fluids is to cool, lubricate, clean, inhibit corrosion and improve sealing of different engine parts. These fluids are pumped through the "veins" or pipes of the lubrication system. Greases on the other hand are lubricants too, but have higher initial viscosity compared to oil or automobile fluids. Greases are used on automobile parts where only infrequent lubrication is needed and where lubricating fluids wouldn't stay in position due to their less viscosity. In addition, greases are well-suited as sealants and prevent the accumulation of water and dust on a part.

Fuel System Additives

Also known as fuel additives or gasoline additives, fuel system additives are substances that have higher octane rating compared to gasoline and are used to prevent corrosion or to provide lubrication, which leads to greater efficiency and power of the engine. There are numerous fuel system additives with different uses. For instance, combustion catalysts lower the ignition temperature of fuel thus typically decreasing the temperature of fuel combustion from 1200 degrees to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Detergent agents, on the other hand clean the automobile engines and lead to reduced pollution emissions.

Oil Filters

Oil filter is an essential component of the fuel system, their objective is to decontaminate oil that may contains suspended impurities. Oil filters are detachable units and need regular service and maintainence. Impurities in the oil, if supplied to the engine may damage it or cause it to malfunction, thus oil filters aside from enhancing the auto's performance also ensure its longevity. There are two primary designs of oil filters (a) Cartridge filters and (b) Spin-on filters. While, cartridge filters only require the filtration element to be remove, spin-on filters can be removed completely and with ease.

Oil Pumps

Oil pumps are devices which pull oil from the crankcase or an oil sump and then supply it with pressure through the oil filter and oil passages to camshaft, bearings and upper valvetrain to let the engine oil lubricate them. Oil pumps are typically gear pumps driven by the motion of camshaft or crankshaft. Consequently as the engine speeds up, so does the pressure with which the pump force oil through the system. As a result, in order to prevent the pressure from exceeding the acceptable limits a spring-loaded pressure relief valve guides the oil back to its soure, when the highest acceptable pressure limit has been reached.

Oil Strainer

Oil strainers refer to a wire-mesh screens installed at the passage from where the engine oil is supplied to the other engine parts by the oil pump. Its purpose is to fillter any large impurities, dirt, scale, etc, from choking the downstream passage. These foreign particles mostly include matter that is still suspended in the oil instead of having settled down at the bottom of the oil pan or sump. It sucks oil in from the crankcase and pushes it through the filter and oil galleries to the bearings, camshaft and upper valvetrain.

Buying Tips for Automobile Lubrication System Parts

You can ensure quality automotive part supplies through the following buying tips.

1. Always prefer new auto parts instead of used ones.

2. Choose your suppliers carefully, establish a reasonable level of trust towards a supplier, through referrals, testimonial, or certifications.

3. Be wary of suppliers offering products at extraordinarily low prices.

4. Ensure the specifics of the products you require from the supplier, before placing the order, a sample inspection is often the best way to do it.

5. You need to understand the terms and conditions including warranties and guarantees associated with the supplies you order.

Industry Overview

As the production of automobiles increase, so will the demand for lubrication system constitutuents. The automotive industry expects the global demand for lubes to increase and reach 41.8 million metric tons by 2010.

In Europe, there's a demand for Group II base oils, the majority of which are produced in the US and Asia at present. As for group III base oil, while the demand is expected to increase to about 1.2 to 1.5 million tons in the region, the manufacture would maintain the same level of quantities, which is approximately 485,000 metric tons per year.

In the United States, the quick lube market has been growing pretty fast. While in 1997 the Motor oil sales were US$ 555 million in all, it sales have grown to capture about 75% to 80% of the motor oil market by 2005 . According to 2002 figures, the major quick lube players commaned the market in the following manner: Pennzoil 30.6%, Valvoline 17%, Castrol 13.6%, Mobil Oil 8%, Quaker State 7.1%, the smaller player accounted for the remaining 24% of the market share. The lubricant market value has been growing at an annual rate of 4 percent.