Millers Oils reports that Low Speed Pre-Ignition or LSPI is one area that is often asked about. Here the company’s technical team outline what LSPI means, and how the issue of LSPI can be solved.
What is LSPI?
Low Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI) is more commonly known as ‘super knock’ and relates to uncontrolled combustion. It occurs when oil on the cylinder wall mixes with freshly injected fuel and atomises. These two substances create a mixture that spontaneously ignites when compressed by the rising piston, before the spark plug fires.
The resulting rapid, uncontrolled rise in pressure can cause irreparable damage to pistons, rings, cylinder heads and con rods, even leading to complete engine failure.
LSPI takes place at large throttle openings and low to moderate engine speeds, such as when accelerating in a high gear but at a low rev count.
Why has LSPI become a more common problem?
With increasing demand for passenger cars to become more efficient, vehicle manufacturers have engineered downsized turbocharged engines as a means of reducing emissions and improving efficiency. However, due to the high combustion pressures involved in some vehicles, this has resulted in a continued problem with LSPI.
Does LSPI affect both petrol and diesel engines?
LSPI is only a problem for petrol engines due to the different methods of ignition. Petrol engines are designed with a spark plug for ignition to give controlled combustion. Diesel engines rely on gas compression for ignition, so are not affected by LSPI.
How is Millers Oils able to solve the LSPI problem?
Millers Oils has developed a new engine oil, XF Longlife LSPI 5w30, that uses the latest additive chemistry to compensate for the shortfall in engine design. This means drivers can avoid the problem of LSPI and costly engine damage simply by using the correct oil.
XF Longlife LSPI 5w30 performance profile:
- API SN
- ILSAC GF5/API SN-RC (Resource Conserving)
- GM Dexos 1 Gen 2
- Ford WSS-M2C946-A
Is the GM Dexos specification backwards compatible?
No, XF Longlife LSPI 5w30 is not backward compatible with the GM Dexos 2 5w30 specification.
Find out more
To find out more about Millers Oils’ extensive offering please visit www.millersoils.co.uk or call 01484 713201. All technical queries can be directed to technical@millersoils.co.uk
ENDS
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For more information, interviews or images please contact:
Kimberley Hornby, Millers Oils PR Team, Hornby Whitefoot PR
Tel: 07851 610573 Email: kimberley@hornbywhitefootpr.co.uk