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The market for classic cars and modern classics is continuously growing and these vehicles have very specific requirements as a result of their older, sometimes historic, engines. This means it is vital to be able to offer special oils designed for them too.

The RAVENOL Oldtimer range for classic cars is made up of Classic 1 products, which are single grade engine oils and Classic 2 products, which are multi grade engine oils.

The products in the RAVENOL Oldtimer range for classic cars are all characterised by their outstanding formulations. They extend the service life of the engines in older vehicles by protecting them against sludge formation, wear and tear and corrosion. They also work to minimize friction and reduce fuel consumption.

Please find more information here.

RAVENOL REP Racing Extra Performance SAE 5W-30 is a state of the art racing oil blended for exactly that purpose. RAVENOL REP Racing Extra Performance SAE 5W-30 is a modern, fully synthetic, fuel-saving, low friction multi-grade engine oil.

Now you can fill your cars engine with a full-on racing synthetic oil and still remain within the OEM specifications and requirements of your car.

This oil is not only impressive as a result of its low sulphated ash content; it also has reduced HTHS (high temperature – high shear) viscosity for measurable fuel savings.

This means that you can use the same high tech, high performance engine oil usually reserved for racing car engines in your “daily drive” or street car as it meets the requirements of the following OEM’s:

Specifications
API SN, ACEA C3
License: API SN

Approvals
MB-Approval 229.51, MB-Approval 229.52, Renault RN0700/RN0710, GM dexos2™, BMW Longlife-04.

Practice and tested in aggregates with filling
MB 226.5, Race Partnerships: Nürburgring Tested, Hockenheim Premium Partner, Recommendation of Ralf Schumacher.

Using a Racing Oil in your car has many advantages:

Called the Chicken Runners Scooter Club, a group of friends who own vintage Vespa’s (1960 – 1980 models) take part in fund raisers for various charity organizations. They chose this year to raise funds for the ADCare Group who over the past 10 years have cared for thousands of elderly people with Advanced Alzheimer’s Dementia and MS. They also provide Frail and Hospice Care. The ADCare Group support all these patients with regards to their full boarding as well as medication and toiletries and all other needs as would be required by a frail patient. They receive no government grants or support and are fully dependent on the families of their patients and the support of public donations such as this project to keep their doors open. The proceeds of this fundraiser will be utilised for medical equipment such as oxygen cylinders, wheelchairs, Zimmer frames and other much needed medical equipment.

 

 

Read more here…http://ravenol.co.za/product/hvs-standard-viscosity-synto-oil-sae-10w-60/

Sahara Force India is pleased to announce a partnership with RAVENOL, the high-quality lubricants specialists.

The Ravensberger Schmierstoffvertrieb GmbH based in Werther, Germany, manufactures and markets high-quality lubricants under the brand name “RAVENOL” since 1946. Their Research and Development Department, one of the most technically advanced in the world, is where some of the most innovative lubricants on the market today are developed – not only to meet, but often to exceed the requirements of even the most ambitious vehicle manufacturer and to comply with future regulations. Their high-quality lubricants will be supplied directly to the Force India development center in Silverstone.

Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director of Sahara Force India: “I’m delighted to welcome RAVENOL to the team as we prepare for the start of the 2018 season. Formula One represents a fantastic opportunity for RAVENOL to reach a huge global audience and increase awareness of its high quality products. We look forward to a successful partnership as we work with RAVENOL to achieve their marketing objectives.”

RAVENOL’s Head of Motorsport, Martin Huning, sees the entry into Formula 1 as the next logical step in further developing a brand already respected in motorsport around the world. “We are committed to reducing fuel consumption and environmental impact by continually utilising the latest developments in lubrication technology to produce some of the most advanced lubricants available. To have been chosen as the Official Lubricants Partner of the Sahara Force India F1 Team serves to underline the quality of our products”.

The partnership will see RAVENOL branding appear on the bargeboard of the team’s VJM11 car as well as on the drivers’ race suits.

Find out more here: https://www.forceindiaf1.com/news/ravenol-partners-sahara-force-india

Today you can read about an exciting project: This is the Automotive Trans-Arctic Expedition (http://autoarctic.ru/en), a journey to the North Pole being made by eight Russian daredevils in specially adapted Burlak all-terrain vehicles (http://autoarctic.ru/en/team).

The aim of the adventurers is to break the world record set by the Automotive Sea Ice Expedition in 2009. The latest expedition plans to reach the North Pole under its own steam, with no airdrops of fuel or food, and to return to dry land the same way.

Some info about the Sea Ice Expedition

The first people to reach the North Pole in wheeled vehicles were the participants in the Automotive Sea Ice Expedition led by Vassily Elagin. The adventurers set off in two Emelya amphibious vehicles from the very tip of the Severnaya Zemlya archipelago and covered 2033 km in 38 hours. They reached the longed-for coordinates on 26 April 2009: 90°00′00″ North. In that previous expedition, the participants returned to the Вolshaya Zemlya by helicopter the same day. The vehicles were left at the North Pole for ever and their fate is unknown.

So who are these daredevils?

The idea for the “Automotive Trans-Arctic Expedition” project came from mechanical engineer and explorer Aleksei Makarov. In 2009 he constructed an all-terrain vehicle called “Makar” in which he and his team travelled right across the North Urals to reach the northernmost point of Eurasia, Cape Chelyuskin. Then, inspired by the record set by Vassily Elagin, Aleksei decided to conquer the Arctic. Based on his own development work and the experience of the Automotive Sea Ice expedition, in 2014 he designed a more advanced vehicle, capable of driving across the snow-covered tundra and travelling across ice and water. In 2015, he indeed succeeded in creating a new type of Arctic vehicle, and his dream of setting a new world record became a reality. He assembled a team of like-minded people and preparations for the expedition began.

What is the vehicle like?

The Burlak is a six-wheeled amphibious vehicle. Access to all its parts and assemblies is from inside the cab, so that the harsh polar conditions will not prevent the team from repairing the vehicles. Because the vehicle has a hermetically sealed body and a propeller, it is able to travel on water and manoeuvre between ice floes. Driving the vehicle is no more difficult than driving a simple lightweight car. The Burlak is different from other all-terrain vehicles because the team learned from the experience of using its predecessors when developing it, and they effectively designed an entirely new vehicle. That makes them certain that their journey to the North Pole will be faster and safer.

The Burlak was constructed entirely in Aleksei Makarov’s workshop in Ekaterinburg. The bodywork was fitted at the end of October 2015 and the final assembly and kitting out of the vehicle began in early November. All the assemblies and parts use lubricants made by RAVENOL, the expedition’s technical partner.

Journey to the Kara Sea

The first test trip took place at the end of February 2016, and in March full-scale trials were carried out in the Pre-Polar Urals and the Kara Sea. The test route was completed in 16 days, when the team had expected it to take 3 weeks. They experienced no serious breakdowns in 2800 kilometres. The vehicle’s performance lived up to their expectations at every stage of the trial run!

Burlak-2 and plans for the future

After these tests, the team began building a new vehicle. The main structural difference from the prototype was that the engine is mounted further forward. The new design enables more weight to be put on the front wheels. This improves the tyres’ grip on the surface and the vehicle’s handling when pulling a trailer loaded with fuel and food. A number of other improvements to the design have reduced the vehicle’s weight by nearly a tonne, making fuel consumption more economical and travel through crumbling sea ice easier.

Technical specifications

Toyota 1KD-FTV turbo-diesel engine, generating 170 hp at torque of 360/1800 rpm. The engine is fitted at the front. A Binar engine block pre-heater enables the vehicle to start in sub-zero temperatures.

Automatic gearbox.

2 modes of transmission: uphill 1/1, downhill 1/2.55.

Disk brakes on the rear and middle axles.

The steering system has no direct mechanical link but uses a hydraulic cylinder.

The vehicle has independent, double wishbone, spring suspension. The suspension has 200 mm of travel, allowing road clearance of from 720 to 750 mm depending on the vehicle’s load.

Dual-layer, low-pressure tyres: external diameter — 1700 mm, width — 720 mm, inner diameter — 32 inches.

Displacement of each wheel is 1200 kg, making a total of 7200 kg.

Cruising speed on firm ground — 60 km/h at 2650 rpm. Maximum speed — 88 km/h. On water — up to 6 km/h.

Maximum fuel tank capacity — 360 litres In fuel-saving mode on firm ground, the fuel consumption is about 30 litres per 100 km, but in off-road conditions about 4-6 litres per hour.

Vehicle length — 6.6 m, width — 2.9 m, height — 3.2 m. Its space frame is made from square-section steel tubes and the base frame is made from No. 50 angle section.

Unladen weight of the vehicle — 3.7 tonnes, laden weight — 7 tonnes

The vehicle’s body is clad in aluminium 1-2 mm thick. It is insulated with 30 mm thick ISOLON and synthetic felt (carpet).

The cab is designed for 10 people, with 8 bunks. The kitchen is equipped with gas burners for preparing food, a washbasin, a shower. A device for melting snow using heat from the engine’s cooling system allows up to 30 litres of water suitable for drinking to be produced.

There are 2 stoves in the cabin and two freestanding 2 KW Planar heaters.

Maximum load capacity without losing buoyancy is up to 2 tonnes.

RAVENOL products used:

RAVENOL VST SAE 5W-40 engine oil, RAVENOL ATF Dexron IIE transmission oil, RAVENOL Arctic Green Grease AGG 2, RAVENOL Arctic Tripoid Grease ATG2 with MoS2, RAVENOL LTC COLD CLIMATE -60°C antifreeze

How did similar trials with Burlak-2 on the Kara Sea go? You can see for yourself: link to video clip

Next, the team plans to build a duplicate vehicle. In the event of a breakdown, the parts from the two identical vehicles will be interchangeable. Following construction and testing of the two Burlak vehicles in spring 2018, they will travel to the starting point — the polar station on the Severnaya Zemlya archipelago, but the team will then return home.  Then for 2019 the plan is to attempt to conquer the North Pole itself! They expect to complete the journey in both directions in around 1.5-2 months, covering about 100 km per day.

Website: Transartic Automobile Expedition

Many people regularly ask me why there are so many different automatic transmission fluids recommended by the various vehicle manufacturers.

Let me begin by stating ” There is no such thing as a universal ATF and you cannot up-treat an ATF, by adding aftermarket additives.” An article supporting this was published in the Lubes ‘n Greases magazine in June 2015 already.

According to my Castrol handbook from 1991, 27 years ago, there were six automatic transmission fluids available, namely: GM Type A Suffix A; Dexron; Dexron II; Dexron IIE; Ford M2C 33 (Ford Type F) and Mercon fluid. This excluded the two commercial Leyland and Allison transmission fluids shown on the same page. Nowadays, we have many more. Companies like Ravenol (Ravensberger Schmierstoffvertrieb GmbH) have over 40 different OEM-recommended and approved automatic transmission fluids (ATF’s).

Using the OEM-approved lubricants is in the best interests of owners and their vehicles. This is because vehicle manufacturers often have vastly different specifications for the range of transmissions they manufacture or supply in their vehicles, and one is often not suitable for another. An example is that early BMW automatic transmissions used only hydraulic control with no electronic intervention. Subsequent refinements, such as Electro-Hydraulic (EH) transmissions, introduced a new acronym: EGS (Elektronisch Getriebe Steurung) − electronic transmission control. These modern automatic transmissions are now able to achieve better fuel economy, reduced engine emissions, greater shift-system reliability, improved shift feel, improved shift speed and improved vehicle handling, but only when the correctly specified automatic transmission fluid is used.

OEMs like BMW provide their customers with automatic-transmission options such as ZF and GM’s Hydra-Matic, which require very specific fluids.

OEM specifications often denote a minimum acceptable performance level, to which are often added particular OEM requirements or tighter tolerances on a general ATF specification.

Extensive testing therefore helps OEMs maintain an active list of approved lubricants. An example of such a reference to specification and approved fluid, may be seen in all BMW manuals where the specified automatic transmission fluid is always accompanied by the following text:

“The automatic transmission provides pressure regulated hydraulic fluid which is filtered for all of the transmission’s functional requirements. All BMW automatic transmissions are designed to operate with specific fluids. Use of non-approved oil will cause malfunctions and irreparable transmission damage which is not covered by BMW warranty.” (Please pay careful attention to the word “will” in that last sentence).

Some mechanics will put an incorrectly specified universal ATF in an automatic transmission – and because it works they believe this is acceptable. This is despite not knowing the long-term effects of using the incorrect fluid, while presuming to know better than the OEM who has spent millions of dollars (or deutschmark, or yen, or rand) in scientific testing of every component of the transmission, over the full expected lifetime of the transmission.

ZF (ZF Friedrichshafen) transmissions are fitted to many vehicles, including Land Rover, VW, Jaguar, Ford, Audi and BMW. The ZF website states the following:

“In modern transmissions, the oil is a ‘constructional component’ that needs to match the different transmission functions and materials as perfectly as possible. ZF transmission oils are especially developed for the individual transmissions and adapted to their specific requirements.”

At Ravenol, we have 45 automatic transmission fluids, which means that BMW are not alone in this requirement of only accepting the use of specific approved fluids in their transmissions. An example of this ever changing requirement is the attached Toyota technical bulletin TC003–99 and Toyota technical bulletin TC006-03 which are both dated 1999/2003. Proof that these requirements have been in place with Toyota for quite some time. As may be seen by Toyota technical bulletin TC003–99, a clear instruction is offered that with the exception of mixing ATF Type T with Type T–IV fluids, different types of fluids must not be mixed. If fluids within the OEM range cannot be mixed, then how can any oil company sanction a multipurpose / universal ATF? In Toyota technical bulletin TC006-03, Toyota states that the new automatic transmission fluid (ATF) “WS” has been introduced on 2004 – 2005 model year 4Runner, Land Cruiser and Prius vehicles. Once again, Toyota warn that ATF “WS” is NOT compatible with any other type of transmission fluid. I have many customers that have learnt this lesson the hard way. Look at the attachment – ATF co-efficient of friction and you will see that Ford specifications like M2C -33G have exactly the opposite frictional curve to Dexron fluids. These are examples of how most OEM’s consider only their own automatic transmission fluids to be suitable for their automatic transmissions. As most oil companies do not provide these types of automatic transmission fluids and the only option that remains, is then to purchase these specialised automatic transmission fluids from the dealer/agent/OEM. Fortunately, Ravenol provides an alternative to these “OEM only fluids” that conforms to the OEM requirements, listing the appropriate OEM part numbers and approvals.

OEMs are demanding longer drain intervals and fill- for-life capability for passenger cars. Automatic transmissions are changing in design from 5 to 6 and 7 speed and now even 9 speed capability, improving drivability and performance. To improve fuel economy, transmission components are lighter, viscosities are lower, despite increased engine horsepower. And now new fuel-efficient transmissions exhibit higher torque and higher operating temperatures. All these factors are stressing the automatic transmission fluid severely. Problems such as transmission shudder, poor shift feel and accelerated wear are becoming more common as drain intervals are increased. Automatic transmission fluids must provide fill-for-life capability, improved fuel economy, anti-shudder, friction durability, shear stability, low-temperature fluidity and improved oxidation stability.

Many lubricant marketers make blanket claims about the suitability of their products for universal use in the consumer marketplace; however, the lubricants marketed by all oil companies cannot be seen as equivalent and compatible. There is no such thing as a universal automatic transmission fluid (ATF), and an ATF cannot be up-treated by the addition of aftermarket additives. The importance of these variations in OEM requirements and specifications is often underestimated or ignored by workshops until a problem arises; and only then do they become concerned about the critical importance of selecting the correct lubricant – almost always at the expense of the vehicle owner.

The above means that vehicle owners should take care when it comes to choosing a workshop to service their vehicle, and pay more attention to the lubricant-quality and brand offered by them. The same amount of care should be exercised by DIY enthusiasts, as advice from spares shops on lubricants is mostly extremely poor, and, in many cases, completely non-existent.

That is it! In a nutshell…..short of coming on a one day Oil Wise seminar on automatic transmission fluids, past and present.

 

In honour of his father, Michael, Mick Schumacher drove – in the support programme of the Belgian GP at Spa-Francorchamps – a lap with the Benetton B195 – the car his father secured the second of his seven F1 World Championship titles with in 1995.

25 years ago, back in 1992, record World Champion Michael Schumacher clinched the first of his 91 GP wins with his Benetton-Ford B 192 at Spa. For his 18-year old son who currently contests his rookie season in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, the lap in his father’s car must have been a memorable moment and in Form eines Logos, a time trip back to the history of motor racing.

The live picture from Spa showed a visibly emotionally touched and proud son who took his helmet off and presented himself to the Formula One fans all over the world.

A highly visible logo on his helmet refers to the new partnership between Mick Schumacher and RAVENOL. 

More images: Mick Schumacher

With immediate effect, RAVENOL is official lubricant partner of German Football Bundesliga club VfL 1900 Borussia Mönchengladbach.

In the future, the broad product range provided by the Ravensberger Schmierstoffvertrieb GmbH will be used in the entire car pool and green-keeping area of the Football Bundesliga club and Champions’ League participant. The Werther, Germany based company produces top-quality lubricants such as engine or gearbox oils as well as car care products for the vehicles of the club.

At the same time, the equipment for the care and maintenance of the stadium lawn and the outer grounds also are supplied with RAVENOL products.

By the exclusive support of Borussia Mönchengladbach, RAVENOL once again underlines its claim to be the partner and supplier of the top categories in international sports – that already is demonstrated by the highly-respected partnerships in motor racing, from top teams such as Phoenix Racing and AMG Team HTP Motorsport through top race series such as the Audi Sport TT Cup and the FIA Formula 3 European Championship to the world-famous circuits Hockenheimring and Nürburgring.

Werther, 23^rd August, 2017 – In the future, one of the famous names in the motor-racing world will be connected with a new, dedicated partnership, in the future: Mick Schumacher and RAVENOL are now exclusive partners in the field of automotive lubricants and care products. This can be seen by the distinctive logo of RAVENOL on the helmet of Mick Schumacher, who is already regarded as one of the most hopeful and the most talented German junior pilots.

For Mick, RAVENOL has long been a well-known brand, which had already accompanied him to Formula 4 as a lubricant supplier of the teams Van Amersfoort Racing and Prema. In the FIA ​​Formula 3 European Championship, Mick also currently races with RAVENOL in the Italian Prema Powerteam. As such, the son of the seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher also benefits from the manufacturer’s more than 70 years of experience in high-performance lubricants.

Mick Schumacher: “The helmet is one of the most distinctive and emotional features of a racing driver. That is why I attach great importance to safety, but also to the design. RAVENOL is identified with many teams, organizers and racetracks. I am therefore pleased to have RAVENOL as an important partner at my side and to wear the logo on my helmet “.

With the new commitment, RAVENOL is consistently building on its young talents. The renowned company from Werther in Westphalia is also an exclusive lubricant partner of the ADAC Kart Academy, under the patronage of the former Formula 1 and DTM driver Ralf Schumacher.

RAVENOL Motorsport Director Martin Huning: “We have always observed the development of young talented drivers and we continue to provide them with technical support, whether it is in karting or form sports, rallying, or touring cars, or in motor boating. High-performance oils, as we develop them, are among the most important consumables in motorsports. Technological understanding and accurate knowledge of a vehicle are now widely anticipated among young racing drivers. We are delighted to be able to accompany Mick Schumacher on his declared path to Formula One. ”

Website Mick Schumacher

This drag racing “jet school bus” driven by Gerd Habermann can be seen and heard racing from 18th – 20th August at the Nitrolympx track on the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. With 25 000 horsepower and thrust of 10 000 kg, the jet bus is powered by a Westinghouse J-34 turbine jet engine with an afterburner. Ravenol is also a partner of Europe’s biggest drag racing event this year.

Thursday, 10 August, HARBIN (China): Take a look down the line of the 20 boats in this years’ UIM F1H2O Championship and one stands out immediately, the newest generation Blaze Performance Hull, designed and built by Francesco Cantando at his facility in Milan, Italy and unveiled at the UIM F1H2O Grand prix of France in Evian in July.

This weekend’s UIM F1H2O Grand Prix of Harbin in China gives Cantando just his second opportunity to run his next generation Blaze in anger. It is strikingly different and despite a minor problem with the steering and an enforced engine change in qualifying and starting with a load of questions unanswered from 19^th in Evian , it was a case of out of the box, onto the water and a very safe drive by the Italian to a top ten point finish on its debut. “I must say that the feeling with the new boat is right. I am very comfortable inside. It has very good acceleration which is one area we focused on because today qualifying is so important. I am happy with the top speed but now we need more time on the water to really work on set-ups, which propeller works better and to move forward and improve further in a good way.”

The project has been a long time coming for Cantando as he balances the tougher commercial side of running a race team and competing at the top level. “I am very happy to have realised and completed this project to deliver a new model of boat that has evolved with the latest technology using complete computer analysis in design and understanding critical air flow criteria. All the boat’s moulds were realised by CNC machining with the latest technologies available.

The close partnership with Team Germany Racing allows RAVENOL to test products under the most extreme racing conditions, and to manufacture lubricants that far exceed the latest requirements of modern marine engines.

Link: Team Germany

Over the past few months, we have revised our range of lubricating greases and we are now able to offer you many varieties in two new packaging sizes. 100g and 200g tubes are now available in RAVENOL‘s characteristic carbon design. Continue reading “Greases in 100g and 200g tubes” →

Ravenol will be supporting the Cape Trials this coming weekend, the 15 and 16th of October.
Continue reading “Cape Trials” →