All three oils are completely synthetic specifically designed to be used in gasoline and diesel engines. Motul 8100 X-Clean pays attention to the performance of catalytic converters. Motul 8100 Eco-nergy center of focus is fuel economy, meanwhile Motul Specific LL 01 FE focuses more on engine cleaning.
X-Clean provides excellent performance of catalytic converter due to its lower ZDDP compounds. It contains a lower number of lightweight molecules thereby providing high shielding from prior oil combustion.
The detergents are present in minimum amounts to clean the engine against sludge build-ups. The high kinematic viscosity enables oil to perform tremendously during both normal and high-temperature conditions. The availability of oil at a low price also makes it one of the most economical choices.
Eco-nergy has high TBN to ensure lower fuel consumption by providing high intervals of oil changing. A nominal concentration of both zinc and phosphorus-based anti-wearing compounds enables the oil to provide competitive catalytic converter performance.
The viscosity index of oil is also quite high assisting it to retain its viscosity in case of temperature rise. The medium quantities of anti-wearing agents allow it to give satisfactory protection from engine wear and tear.
On the other hand, Specific due to its abundant concentrations of detergent allows superb cleaning of deposits. It contains anti-wear compounds in high amounts to allow high resistance against engine degradation. The oil provides superb cold start-ups. The TBN is also faintly high to make sure long intervals of changing the oil.
| Specifications | Motul 8100 X-Clean (5W-30) | Motul 8100 Eco-nergy (5W-30) | Motul Specific LL 01 FE (5W-30) |
| Type of Oil | Fully Synthetic | Fully Synthetic | Fully Synthetic |
| Engine Type | Gasoline / Diesel | Gasoline / Diesel | Gasoline/ Diesel |
| Available viscosity grades | 5W-30, 5W-40 | 0W-30, 5W-30 | 5W-30 |
| ILSAC | GF-5 | GF-5 | Unavailable |
| API | SN/CF | SL | SL |
| Oil change frequency (Km) | 8,000 | 17,000 | 10,000 |
| Additives | Anti-wear, Detergents, Dispersants, Anti-foam agents, Antioxidant | Anti-wear, Detergents, Dispersants, Anti-foam agents, Antioxidant, Anti-corrosion, Friction modifiers | Anti-wear, Detergents, Dispersants |
| ACEA | C3 | A1/B1, A5/B5 | A5/B5 |
Table of Contents
Viscosity Comparison
The resistance in the motion of oil is called its kinematic viscosity. The oil possessing higher kinematic viscosity will provide better performance in higher temperature situations. The viscosity index of the oil is its ability to maintain its kinematic viscosity. Higher viscosity index ensures to sustain the oil viscosity during exaggerated temperatures. Pour point is used to estimate the oil performance in minimum temperature conditions. It is defined as the lowest temperature beneath which the oil stops flowing.
The performance of X-Clean is superior to the rest of the two oils at high temperatures. It is due to its high kinematic viscosity at both 40 o C and 100 o C. Specific comes in second place in terms of performance at these respective temperatures. Eco-nergy, meanwhile, has a low kinematic viscosity at both medium and high temperatures making it behind its counterparts.
The viscosity index of X-Clean is the highest allowing it to retain its viscosity when the temperature changes from normal to high. Eco-nergy has the second-highest viscosity index while Specific has more kinematic viscosity variations because of its comparatively lower viscosity index.
The performance of Specific is above its rivals during low-temperature conditions. This is due to its relatively lower pour point temperature. On the other hand, the working of both X-Clean and Eco-nergy are identical due to their similar pour point temperatures.
| Contrasting Oils (5W-30 Grade oil) | Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 o C (cSt) | Kinematic Viscosity @ 100 o C (cSt) | Viscosity index (VI) | Pour point (Degrees Celsius) |
| Motul 8100 X-Clean | 70.8 | 12 | 166 | -36 |
| Motul 8100 Eco-nergy | 57.6 | 10.1 | 163 | -36 |
| Motul Specific LL 01 FE | 63.5 | 10.7 | 160 | -42 |
Comparing Oil Change Frequency
The alkaline additives are introduced in the oil to overcome the problem of acid build-up. The acids are formed as a consequence of oil burn-off. These acids are harmful as it causes corrosion in the engine. To counterbalance these acids, alkaline additives are added. Their concentrations are generally measured in TBN (Total Base Number). After some time, this TBN decreases indicating the consumption of these alkaline additives. The higher this TBN, the longer will be intervals of changing the oil.
X-Clean because of its lower TBN provides shorter durations of oil interchange. The oil needs to be changed after an interval of every 8,000 km which is lower than the other two oils.
Eco-nergy has the highest TBN, making sure to provide a longer interval of oil replacement. The recommended distance to change the oil is around 17,000 km.
The TBN of the Specific is normal which allows a good distance of oil change. The oil is required to be exchanged after covering an average distance of about 10,000 km.
| Contrasting Oils (5W-30 Grade oil) | TBN (Total Base Number) mg (KOH/g) |
| Motul 8100 X-Clean | 7.4 |
| Motul 8100 Eco-nergy | 10.2 |
| Motul Specific LL 01 FE | 9.6 |
Comparing the Performance of Catalytic Converter
The working of the catalytic converter gets affected by the toxic ash. This ash is formed as a result of the reaction between oxidized oil with ZDDP compounds (Zinc and Phosphorus). It sets into the converter and obturates it. This blocks its performance, decreasing its productivity.
X-Clean contains these ZDDP compounds in lower amounts thus producing less ash upon oil burn-off. This makes the oil best in terms of catalytic converter performance compared to its other two rivals. Eco-nergy comes in second place from the viewpoint of catalytic converter working.
This is due to its noticeable concentrations of these anti-wearing agents. Specific has these zinc and phosphorus-based compounds in abundant numbers making it least effective among its competitors for catalytic converter functioning.
| Contrasting Oils (5W-30 Grade oil) | Zinc Concentration (ppm) | Phosphorus Concentration (ppm) |
| Motul 8100 X-Clean | 807 | 665 |
| Motul 8100 Eco-nergy | 856 | 890 |
| Motul Specific LL 01 FE | 1204 | 1060 |
Sludge Formation Reduction Comparison
The lowest quantities of detergents make X-Clean the least favorable for cleaning the sludge. Anti-foam agents are also present in lower amounts in this oil. Eco-nergy due to its medium concentrations of detergents and silicon (anti-foaming agent) makes it second best to lower this sludge problem. However, the enormous concentrations of calcium-based detergents found in Specific make the oil best to resolve this issue. Silicon is also present in higher amounts to minimize foaming problems.
| Contrasting Oils (5W-30 Grade oil) | Sodium Concentration (ppm) | Magnesium Concentration (ppm) | Calcium Concentration (ppm) | Silicon Concentration (ppm) |
| Motul 8100 X-Clean | 5 | 9 | 1606 | 4 |
| Motul 8100 Eco-nergy | 5 | 30 | 2501 | 10 |
| Motul Specific LL 01 FE | 3 | 11 | 3794 | 17 |
Comparing Oil Early Burn-off
The competition among early oil burn-off is very close. X-Clean, however, is the best among the other two oils. This is due to its fewer number of light molecules enabling it to possess higher flashpoint temperature. Specific contains normal concentrations of these molecules, thereby, providing medium protection against quick oil burning. Eco-nergy contains these lightweight molecules in comparatively higher numbers making it least efficient for pre-mature burning.
| Contrasting Oils (5W-30 Grade oil) | Flashpoint Temperatures (Degrees Celsius) |
| Motul 8100 X-Clean | 230 |
| Motul 8100 Eco-nergy | 226 |
| Motul Specific LL 01 FE | 228 |
Comparing Engine Wear-off Protection
The engine is protected from wear and tear by adding anti-wearing compounds in it. The purpose of their addition is to form thin layers around the moving parts of the engine, stopping them from skidding over each other. More strong layers will be formed if these additives are present in higher concentrations which helps in providing higher lubrication.
X-Clean has a lower number of these anti-wearing compounds. This makes the oil behind its other competitors in terms of wear resistance.
The medium concentration of anti-wearing agents in Eco-nergy enables it to provide competitive performance with respect to engine protection against wear and tear.
Specific, on the other hand, contains abundant amounts of zinc and phosphorus-based anti-wearing compounds. The concentrations of secondary anti-wear agents such as boron and molybdenum are also high in comparison with the oil’s other two counterparts.
| Contrasting Oils (5W-30 Grade oil) | Zinc Concentration (ppm) | Phosphorus Concentration (ppm) | Boron Concentration (ppm) | Molybdenum Concentration (ppm) |
| Motul 8100 X-Clean | 807 | 665 | 42 | 1 |
| Motul 8100 Eco-nergy | 856 | 890 | 43 | 9 |
| Motul Specific LL 01 FE | 1204 | 1060 | 484 | 134 |
Quick Summary
- All three oils are entirely synthetic that are developed for both gasoline and diesel type of engines.
- X-Clean is the best oil for catalytic converter performances then comes Eco-nergy which is then followed by Specific.
- Specific contains the highest concentrations of detergents making it the most preferable oil to clean the engine.
- Protection against the early ignition is better of X-Clean because of its fewer lightweight molecules.
- Anti-wearing additives are present in abundant quantities in Specific than in Eco-nergy and in the last comes X-Clean.
- Specific is more preferable to be utilized in cold temperature conditions.
- Eco-nergy has the highest TBN providing longer durations of oil change.
- X-Clean is the cheapest among its peers.