Long term consequences of a motor vehicle depends on the quality of lubricants you choose. Pics: The Myanmar Times archive

RETAILERS have urged vehicle owners to be more aware of the importance of oils and lubricants in maintaining and extending the life of their vehicles.

“There needs to be more awareness on the usage of the lubricants and this will benefit vehicle owners in the long run. People often choose the lower-priced brand even if it is not good for their type of engine – they only think about the cost,” said U Ko Ko Aung, managing director of MP Lubricants Distribution Showroom and Sales Center, on lower Kyimyingdine Road.

Given the cost of buying the car, investing in good quality lubricant is relatively inexpensive. U Ko Ko Aung, who is also an engineer, said the decision could have a bearing on the life-span of the vehicle.

“While they might not notice the difference initially, in the long run it will cost them both time and money in repairs,” he said.

“Longevity of car engines mainly depends on the quality and category of the lubricants that are used in engines – that’s why it is important to choose the appropriate lubricant to suit the engine of the car concerned.”

He said customers have many options when selecting the appropriate product for their car, from mono grade and multi grade to the more advanced synthetic varieties.

But while his business stocked engine oil brands from Japan, UAE, Germany, USA, UK and France, the Thai brands Mollar and Trane were still the most popular among customers.

“More than 30 brands of lubricant are being imported into Myanmar but it is the products from Thailand that have the largest market share,” he said.

“The majority of taxi drivers and public bus drivers have been accustomed to using the brands Mollar and Trane, from Thailand, for a long time. Among the lubricants imported from Thailand, they are the most well-known and sell briskly in the market as their retail prices are within the reach of middle-class car users,” he said.

U Aung Zaw, managing director of Aung Pacific Trading Co. Ltd, agreed customers were often making the choice based on price alone, which can have long-term consequences for their vehicles.

He said different engines had specific requirements and owners should know what type of lubricant their car engine required.

“For instance, synthetic engine oil is more suitable the newer model engines because it has been developed especially for these types of vehicles,” he said.

But both retailers agreed that knowledge among customers of the different grades of oil was improved – to the benefit of the lubricant retailers.

U Ko Ko Aung said: “The lubricant business is still doing well as the product is essential for the engine of every vehicle. But the high-tech synthetic and semi-synthetic lubricants are becoming more popular – a fully synthetic lubricant will last for 10,000 kilometres.”

These newer products are more expensive and, together with the 25 percent rise in the number of cars on the road over the past five years, had helped stimulate the industry.