ELF - oils from a French manufacturerELF is a French brand specialising in lubricants for engines, gearboxes and other drivetrain components. Its long-standing technical partnership with Renault means that the manufacturer's range includes ELF oils developed to meet the requirements of Renault engines and carrying the relevant Renault approvals. ELF products are used in both passenger cars and hard-working commercial vehicles such as the Renault Master, Renault Trafic and Renault Kangoo.In a van, engine oil often operates under more demanding conditions than in a typical passenger car. High mileages, driving under load, frequent engine starts, extended idling and short journeys all place greater demands on the lubricant. Correctly selected ELF oil for a commercial vehicle helps reduce friction, dissipate heat, keep the inside of the engine clean and protect its components against premature wear. ELF oilsThe ELF range includes engine oils with different viscosity grades, performance specifications and vehicle manufacturer approvals. There is no single universal oil suitable for every Renault Master or Trafic. The correct product must be matched to the vehicle generation, engine type, year of manufacture, emissions standard and fitted emissions aftertreatment system.The ELF product range includes, among other options:
Individual products differ not only in viscosity but also in their additive packages, oxidation resistance, detergent properties and compatibility with DPF filters and catalytic converters. Oil should therefore be selected according to its complete specification, rather than solely by a designation such as 5W-30 or 5W-40. ELF oils for Renault Master and Renault TraficThe Renault Master and Renault Trafic are available in numerous generations, engine versions and commercial configurations. Depending on the vehicle's year of manufacture, they may use power units with different oil viscosity and approval requirements. This also applies to engines fitted with a turbocharger, DPF, EGR exhaust gas recirculation system and an SCR system using AdBlue.One example of a product intended for selected Renault engines is ELF Evolution Full-Tech R 5W-30, which carries Renault RN17 approval and ACEA C2 and C3 classifications. The oil was developed for Renault and Dacia engines requiring this specific specification. For applications where the vehicle manufacturer requires Renault RN0720 approval, one suitable product is ELF Evolution R-Tech FE 5W-30. This oil complies with ACEA C3 and C4 and is designed for use with emissions aftertreatment systems and diesel particulate filters. This does not, however, mean that it can be used in every Renault engine with a DPF - the required approval must always be confirmed for the specific engine version. For older engines specifying an oil that meets ACEA A3/B4, ELF Evolution 900 SXR 5W-40 may, for example, be suitable. The product offers oxidation resistance, thermal stability and anti-wear properties. Before using it, however, check whether the engine requires a low-ash oil designed to protect the DPF. ELF oil approvals for Renault enginesWhen selecting ELF oil for a Renault Master or Renault Trafic, the viscosity grade must be distinguished from performance standards and manufacturer approvals. These designations describe different properties of the product:
Matching the viscosity grade alone is not sufficient. Two 5W-30 oils may have entirely different ACEA classifications and approvals and therefore be intended for different engines. Using a product that does not meet the required specification may accelerate engine wear, reduce turbocharger protection or adversely affect the service life of the diesel particulate filter. ELF Tranself gear oilsELF also produces lubricants for manual gearboxes. Transmissions used in commercial vehicles operate under heavy loads and therefore require an oil that provides suitable protection for gears, bearings and synchronisers. Correctly selected gear oil helps maintain smooth gear changes, reduce noise and protect gearbox components against corrosion and wear.One product in this group is ELF Tranself NFX SAE 75W, intended for heavily loaded manual gearboxes and suitable for selected transmissions used in Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi vehicles. Other Tranself oils are also available, including products with viscosity grades of 75W-80 or 75W-90. The product must not be selected solely by vehicle model - the designation and specification of the particular gearbox must also be considered. How to choose ELF oil for a commercial vehicleBefore buying oil for a Renault Master, Trafic or another commercial vehicle, check:
The most reliable way to identify the correct product is to use the VIN, engine code, owner's manual or vehicle service documentation. This is especially important for commercial vehicles because a single model and model year may have been offered with several engine and gearbox versions requiring different products. |
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| Author: Paweł Kokot |
