Haven't heard similar stories from Europe, but in the USA auto manufacturers are forced to meet corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards of the federal gov't., and one approach has been to attack internal engine friction, resulting in (among other things) recommending 5W-30 motor oil. Now it appears this is taken further by the switch to "SJ" rated oils, wherein (again among other things) zinc additives are reduced. This has created much talk on motorcycle lists regarding lost protection when engines and transmissions share the same oil and, more to the point here, when engines are air cooled. The feeling is overall protection may be lost for air cooled engines experiencing high temperatures. While the reformulation may be more relevant to the lighter viscosity versions of a particular oil, there remain questions. Anyone heard anything else or know of links to good information as regards SJ oil in air cooled VWs? |
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