Discover the best Lubrizol engine oil additives for automotive applications, including diesel, gasoline, and gas engines. Compare key specifications, treat rates, TBN levels, and OEM approvals to select the ideal additive for your lubrication needs.
Summary: This article provides an in-depth technical review of Lubrizol’s most effective engine oil additives for diesel, gasoline (benzine), and gas (CNG/LPG) engines. It evaluates performance, treat rates, TBN values, and OEM certifications. The aim is to help formulators, lubricant manufacturers, and fleet managers choose the optimal additive packages for their application, from passenger cars to heavy-duty vehicles.
1. Introduction Lubrizol is a leading global supplier of specialty additives that enhance the performance of lubricants. With emissions regulations tightening and engine technologies evolving, selecting the right additive is critical for performance, longevity, and compliance. This article focuses exclusively on additive packages suitable for automotive engine oils across all major fuel types: diesel, gasoline, and natural gas.
2. Technical Overview of Selected Lubrizol Additives
| Product | Engine Type | Approvals / Specs | TBN | Treat Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LUBRIZOL® 21112 | Gasoline & Diesel | API SL, ACEA A3/B3-10, VW 501.01, VW 505.00 | 98 | 9.7% wt | Suitable for older European vehicles requiring mid-SAPS oils |
| LUBRIZOL® PV9131 | Gasoline | API SN, ACEA A3/B3-12, MB 229.1, Renault RN0700/RN0710 | 88-94 | 11.1% wt | Ideal for high-performance synthetic applications |
| LUBRIZOL® ADX1667 | Heavy-Duty Diesel | API CD/CF/CF-4, ACEA E2-96, MB 228.0/1, VW 505, MAN 271, Volvo VDS | — | 7–15.3% wt | Multi-OEM compatibility for mixed fleet operations |
| LUBRIZOL® 21201 | Gasoline & Diesel | API SL/SJ/CF, VW 502.00, 503.01, 505.00, MB 229.3, BMW LL-98 | 63 | 17.8% wt | Ideal for premium blends requiring European OEM coverage |
| LUBRIZOL® PV8403 | Gasoline & Light Diesel | API SN, ACEA C2/C3, A5/B5 | 63 | 11.7% wt | Mid-SAPS option for turbocharged or emissions-controlled engines |
| LUBRIZOL® 4970 | Mixed Fleet | API CF-4/SJ | — | 12.2% wt | Performance booster for older diesel/gasoline fleet oils |
| LUBRIZOL® 426E | High-Performance 2-Stroke | NMMA TC-W3® | — | ~37% wt | Specialty 2-stroke additive for marine and motorcycle applications |
3. Analysis by Application Type
Passenger Cars (Gasoline):
Recommended Additives: PV9131, PV8403
Rationale: OEM-certified, low/mid SAPS, compatible with turbocharged and GDI engines.
Light-Duty Diesel:
Recommended Additives: 21112, 21201
Rationale: Strong wear protection, TBN suitable for longer drains, OEM approved.
Heavy-Duty Diesel (HDD):
Recommended Additives: ADX1667, 21201
Rationale: Multiple OEM approvals, soot control, and long-drain intervals.
Gas Engines (CNG/LPG):
Recommended Additives: 6490 (component), 4970
Rationale: Clean burning, detergent control, component flexibility.
2-Stroke Applications:
Recommended Additive: 426E
Rationale: NMMA certified, optimized for combustion cleanliness and oil film integrity.
4. Conclusion & Best Solution Recommendation Lubrizol’s range of automotive oil additives offers a robust toolkit for modern lubricants, each tailored to specific performance and OEM requirements. For:
Gasoline passenger vehicles, PV9131 is the most well-rounded additive.
Light-duty diesel applications benefit from LUBRIZOL 21112 due to its mid-SAPS and VW compatibility.
Heavy-duty diesel fleets will see long-term benefits and OEM flexibility with ADX1667.
For blenders needing component flexibility, LUBRIZOL 6490 delivers high TBN and excellent detergency.
Each additive supports the formulation of premium lubricants that meet global demands for emissions control, wear resistance, and performance.
Download Lubrizol Additives TDS files:
LUBRIZOL 21112
LUBRIZOL PV9131
LUBRIZOL ADX1667
LUBRIZOL 21201
LUBRIZOL PV8403
LUBRIZOL 4970
LUBRIZOL 426E