Engine oils from Exxon, Shell, Phillips were developed more than 15 years ago. Have the formula been updated since initial development?
I’ve no idea.
But how many people are running on those oils. The three flying schools I’m well aquented with all use monograde. Plus it’s well documented that low use aircraft may be better off on monograde oils.
I’ve also come across people who have run straight oils for many hour/years and I’m not convinced that the aircraft was any worse off. Perhaps some one who strips/rebuilds aircraft can comment
I should have formulated my question differently. Do the top three oil companies still invest into piston engine oil research and update their additive formula, such that, piston engine oil, say Exxon Elite today is different than 15 years ago?
You cannot make any substantial changes to a formulation without certification, really expensive. Camguard is the only company I know of actively researching new aviation products.
