Product Lineup: Getting Acquainted with Motul Products
We can’t stress enough the similarities of how cars function to the way the human body does. They both need periodic maintenance, they both have joints and underpinnings that need regular exercise, and they both operate thanks to a variety of fluids. That last bit is especially relatable, as cars need various kinds of oil, fuel, water, grease, hydraulic fluids, and a bunch of other liquids to get it working properly. With a variety of moving parts in your car’s engine and powertrain, these parts would be grinding metal-to-metal if not for the lubricants that keep them moving. It takes a certain amount of know-how to identify which kinds of oils go where in the complex machine that is the automobile – and this is a science that our friends at Motul Philippines have specialized in.
Every vehicle (much like every body) has very specific manufacturer requirements for the fluids they use, just like a doctor who would prescribe your vitamins or maintenance meds to avoid certain side effects your body might react to. Plenty of R&D have gone into making our lives convenient through fast transportation, which means we have to pay equal attention to the quality of fluids we put into them. This then means we need to follow these manufacturer specifications to keep things running properly, and Motul is here to help.
To get familiar with the way they can cater to every single vehicle, Motul Philippines sent us a box full of all the oils and pertinent automotive fluids they offer. Each oil varies in terms of viscosity, manufacturer standard, use for gasoline and diesel motors, and a bunch of other technical details that gear a certain oil towards a certain car. In the interest of keeping things simple though, we will do our best to explain the differences of these fluids in a way that we can distinguish how to use them. Let’s begin:
ENGINE OIL
Motul 300V
When you see all those racecars fielding Motul as their choice of oil, chances are the oil that powers them is the 300V. Proven to take high operating temperatures with good tolerance against lowering viscosity thanks to heat, the 300V series of synthetic oils ensures that your engine gets the proper lubrication it needs even during high stress/high load conditions. Motul 300V utilizes Ester Core technology that gives this specific lubricant properties that make it attracted to metal surfaces - thereby ensuring all internal surfaces of your engine is coated with a film of oil. This is the oil to go for when you expect your vehicle to see some track time or have generally high performance use. Consult your builder/mechanic for proper viscosity recommendations for your application.
Motul 8100/6100 series
The Motul 8100/6100 series are Motul’s answers to highly specific OEM requirements by various car manufacturers around the world. These series of oils are meant to meet the standards of highly meticulous manufacturers and prove to be a good alternative to the usual oils recommended by your local dealer. Each specific oil in this lineup caters to a certain standard for specific vehicles, so it would be best to verify which oil would suit your car best. Check your service manual or research and consult with your local Motul dealer for the most appropriate oil for your application.
Motul H-Tech
The Motul H-Tech is the bread and butter fully synthetic oil that can be applied towards a wide variety of vehicles. Your daily passenger car would best benefit from this fully synthetic range considering its lengthy service life and relatively competitive price for a synthetic oil. H-Tech is available in a wide range of viscosities to suit your use, again consult with your service manual or a trusted mechanic for proper viscosity recommendations for your motor.
Motul CRDi
Motul’s CRDi oils are meant to work with most Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDi) systems found in most modern diesel engines. By having an oil that allows optimization of CRDi, diesel vehicles will retain their high-torque low rpm characteristics through the use of this oil with religious maintenance.
Motul TRD
Motul works in collaboration with Toyota Racing Development (TRD) to produce a specific range of high performance lubricants that can be used with Toyota vehicles. Should your Toyota see some high stress use or demand more than your usual A-to-B, it’s best to consider Motul’s Toyota-specific oil for your application.
Motul Multipower
The Motul Multipower is Motul’s semi-synthetic offering (dubbed Technosynthese®) that combines synthetic oils with mineral base stock to make for a competitively priced lubricant that is priced relatively lower than their fully synthetic offerings.
Motul Multigrade
Multigrade is Motul’s base mineral oil that’s been processed by refining crude oil. Mineral oils are processed differently from synthetic oils in that they are still crude oil with impurities removed versus modern day synthetic oils that have undergone chemical reactions and have been specifically engineered to take high heat conditions.
Motul Tekma Mega
Motul Tekma Mega is the semi-synthetic industrial-use lubricant for large trucks and heavy duty vehicles. This diesel motor oil is geared towards fleet use where varying ranges of new and old heavy duty motors will be utilized.
TRANSMISSION AND DIFFERENTIAL OILS
TRD Gear Oil
Alongside motor oil, TRD also offers a specific transmission gear oil to be used with Toyotas equipped with manual transmissions. Set to meet and exceed Toyota’s standards for their transmission oils, the TRD Gear Oil ensures slick engagement of gears and proper length of service life – provided of course the driver knows how to properly drive stick.
ATF 1A
The ATF 1A is Motul’s formulation that works best with most Japanese automatic transmission that have a slip lockup clutch. These work best with conventional automatic transmissions as well as those with modern electronic controls.
ATF VI
The ATF VI is specifically formulated for automatic transmissions that require DEXRON VI specification fluid. These are usually for select American and European vehicles, consult your service manual or a professional for the appropriate fluid for your automatic transmission.
Multi Lineup
Motul’s Multi ATF/CVT/DCT fluid lineup is tailored to meet the specific requirements of manufacturers for transmission-grade oils (i.e. GM DEXRON-III). This is usually the go-to for most automatic vehicles considering these transmissions can only operate with a specific standard of fluid.
Motul Gear and Differential Oil
Motul also has their own line of gear and differential fluids to round up the lubrication of the rest of your vehicle’s powertrain. Apart from the usual 75w-90 viscosity fluid they have a range of specialized products that are geared toward specific applications for high performance use. Consult with your mechanic and local Motul dealer for proper recommendations.
BRAKE FLUID
TRD DOT 4
TRD also offers a specific brake fluid for your high performance Toyota applications. Meant to work with standard brake lines as well as withstand higher than normal operating temperatures, the TRD DOT 4 brake fluid makes for a good option to compliment a brake pad upgrade.
Motul RBF
The RBF series is the top-of-the-line brake fluid you can get from Motul. Engineered to have a higher boiling point, maintain pedal feel, and reduce the effects of brake fade, the RBF makes for a viable choice of fluid when your vehicle sees regular track time with an upgraded brake system. (pads, lines, bigger master cylinders, etc.) Seeing as this is essentially race-spec brake fluid, service intervals may be more frequent versus conventional street-spec brake fluids.
Motul DOT 5.1
The Motul DOT 5.1 is oriented as a street application fluid with a higher boiling point versus your conventional DOT 3 or 4. This slots in between the RBF series and their standard brake fluid and would make a solid choice of fluid for modified vehicles that seldom see track use but have upgraded brake systems.
Motul DOT 3 & 4
Motul has the basic DOT 3 and 4 offerings that most passenger vehicles require to operate a hydraulic braking system. Provided your system is properly bled and serviced, the Motul DOT 3 and 4 fluids should provide a surefooted feel towards your brake pedal and give you confidence in your vehicle’s stopping power.
MISCELLANEOUS
Diesel System Clean
This diesel-specific additive is a good way to remove carbon deposits and soot throughout your fuel system and combustion chamber. From the fuel tank, lines, injectors, and towards the combustion chamber as diesel is consumed, the Diesel System Clean removes any unwated deposits as you burn your fuel.
Mo Cool
The Mo Cool is a radiator additive (regardless of running with coolant or straight water) that helps bring down the overall temperature of your fluid in the cooling system by about 15 degrees celsius by improving heat transfer properties of the fluid in your system. The additive in this bottle is concentrated and should be mixed at a 5% ratio to your total volume of fluid in the system.
Multi HF
The Multi HF is a hydraulic fluid that can be used for various suspension, steering, and other vehicle systems that require the use of hydraulic fluid.
These are all the fluids you may possibly need to keep your vehicle going and in good working order. Should you wish to find out more, get in touch with Motul Philippines for any further queries about all their products.
Words by Aurick Go
Photos by Jaime Miguel Echavez,Jose Altoveros
