The Liquid Engine Component
At Yamaha Motor, genuine engine oil is positioned as a liquid component. The engine development engineers are responsible not only for the engine but also for the simultaneous development of the oil. After undergoing rigorous tests and evaluations, the oil is certified as genuine by Yamaha Motor's standards. Yamaha's genuine oil, YAMALUBE, has an annual global sales volume of over 100 million litres. This specialised oil is designed to fully maximise the performance and reliability of Yamaha Motor products, including motorcycles and outboard motors.
The Multiple Tasks of Engine Oil
Just as blood circulates throughout the human body, engine oil circulates within a motorcycle engine. During typical driving, it takes about 10 seconds for the oil to make a full circuit through the engine. In this time, the oil performs various tasks, including lubrication, sealing, cooling, cleaning, and rust prevention, all essential to maintaining the engine's health and ensuring it performs at its best. As different people have different blood types, engine oil also has its own suitability and compatibility with different engines. "At Yamaha Motor, we don't have a separate division solely dedicated to oil. Instead, the engineers who conduct engine tests are also responsible for developing our genuine oils, which we regard as a liquid part of the engine," says HOSHINO, Satoshi of the Customer Experience Division. This is why Yamaha's genuine oil, YAMALUBE, is widely supported as A Liquid Engine Component across the globe. In automotive engines, the primary missions of engine oil are lubrication and sealing within the engine. However, in motorcycle engines, where the clutch and transmission are integrated into a single unit, the roles of the oil are more diverse and complex. "That's why we have traditionally regarded oil as a liquid part and have continued to develop it in-house," he explains.
The Harsh Environment for Oil in City Traffic and Extreme Heat
It goes without saying that oil has a significant impact on an engine's performance and reliability. Even slight variations in the specifications of oil, which we consider to be one of the engine components, can cause inconsistencies in the testing processes. Therefore, at Yamaha, we have established a standard oil called development oil to ensure consistency in engine development. This development oil is used repeatedly in bench tests and driving tests. The oils used in tests or newly formulated and developed oils are sent for internal component analysis and evaluation.
Oils that pass through this process undergo further rigorous scrutiny by internal certification bodies, where the types and compositions of base oils and additives are thoroughly examined. Once certified as genuine oil, these components and specifications are rolled out globally.
"There may be some misunderstandings among our customers. The performance of oil is not only critically tested in high-performance engines of outboard motors or motorcycles," says HOSHINO, Satoshi. "In fact, small-displacement models that frequently stop and start in city traffic can be the most demanding on oil. This is especially true in regions with high temperatures. To ensure your beloved vehicle or vessel performs at 100% of its potential, I recommend using genuine oil and continuing to take good care of it," he explained.
Message from the Editor - Maiko Kawai
Some might find the phrase designing oil a bit odd. After all, oil falls within the realm of chemistry, so the term design might seem a bit out of place. While chemical analysis and related tasks are handled by specialised employees well-versed in chemistry, it is the mechanical
engineers who work to enhance the oil’s performance and refine its specifications. When you see the dedication to oil in the development process—exemplified by innovations like the invention of the Autolube system in 1964—the term liquid component indeed feels fitting.