Starter Motor
Starter motors must withstand the elements, temperatures from -40˚C to 200˚C, and 50,000 duty cycles or more. Issues of high load and torque, especially during cold crank, also have to be considered. Effectively lubricating the motors’ gears, bearings, and splines requires a careful blend of synthetic oils, additives and gellants. Popular starter motor lubricants feature PAO and ester blends with additives for extreme pressure, corrosion protection, and friction reduction.
Motors – Rheolube® 373
Gears – Rheolube® 380
Planetary gears – Rheolube® 377AL
Electrical leads – NyoGel® 760G

Transmission
Console-mounted PRNDL assemblies require lubrication chiefly to dampen noise and create a perception of quality not often found in plastic parts. The synthetic lubricant should enable the mechanism to slide smoothly between notches while imparting a quality feel to the thumb-activated release mechanism. It should withstand the cold and offer vibration and noise reduction.
PRNDL gear shifting – Rheosil™ 500F
Shift linkage – Rheolube® 363F
Bearings in dual clutch transmission – Rheolube® 380

Electronic Throttle Control
The stepper motor that powers an electronic throttle control must withstand high temperatures and corrosive fuel system vapors. Fluorinated lubricants, which are inherently inert, tolerate this kind of environment. In addition to staying fluid at very low temperatures, their superior thermo-oxidative stability prevents high-temperature varnishing, even at continuous temperatures of 250°C.
Throttle body bearings – Uniflor™ 8911
Bearings in throttle position sensors – Uniflor™ 8981R
Throttle position sensors – Uniflor™ 8950 & Uniflor™ 8921SU
Throttle actuator valves – Uniflor™ 8901F

EGR Valves
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve is exposed to extremely high temperatures and acidic exhaust fumes. PFPEs thickened with PTFE perform well in this demanding environment. They offer the broadest temperature capabilities of any synthetic lubricant and are unaffected by corrosive gases and liquids. PFPE/PTFE lubricants regularly ensure 100,000 mile EGR service.
EGR valves – Uniflor™ 8921, Uniflor™ 8472
EGR temperature sensors – Rheotemp™ 768G

Superchargers
Synthetic lubricants have been a mainstay in lube-for-life superchargers. For gears and powdered metal parts, a light viscosity ester oil with a robust antioxidant package is recommended. For high-speed bearing applications, a light viscosity ester grease with EP additives has been proven extremely effective.
Supercharger gears – Nye Synthetic Oil 605
Supercharger needle bearings – Rheoplex™ 6000HT

Actuators
Variable air intake control valves – Uniflor™ 8921
Turbo diesel actuator bearings – Uniflor™ 8921
Ball bearings in smart remote actuators – Uniflor™ 8512R
Actuator motors – Uniflor™ 8512R

Connectors
Insertion force reduction has also become a major OEM challenge. Mating multi-pin connectors, sometimes in difficult to reach locations, often requires significant force – creating the potential for incomplete mating, as well as repetitive-motion injuries for assembly workers. Synthetic lubricants have been proven to reduce high insertion force with no effect on electrical continuity, all while protecting against fretting corrosion.
Electrical contacts – NyoGel® 760G
Fuel pump connectors – Rheotemp™ 768G
High temperature electrical connectors – Uniflor™ 8917