TECH TALK | Why does Stellantis specify a different engine oil?

“This car has always used the same motor oil… so why is a different specification suddenly being required?”

It’s a question that’s being asked more and more often by auto repair shops, wholesalers, and distributors.

Vehicle manufacturers continue to advance engine design and engine technology to reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions, and further improve reliability and performance. As a result, the requirements placed on engine oils are continuously evolving as well. In practice, it may therefore turn out that a new engine oil specification is required to continue ensuring reliability and performance.

One of these developments is the introduction of the Stellantis FPW9.55535/03 specification.

Stellantis is making the use of FPW9.55535/03 mandatory for a large number of engine types, with retroactive effect.

Stellantis has introduced specification FPW9.55535/03 for a 5W-30 engine oil, thereby superseding previous service recommendations for various 0W-30 and 0W-20 engine oils.

With this change, the use of a 5W-30 engine oil that meets the FPW9.55535/03 specification became mandatory for a large number of engine families, including the DV5R, DW12RU, EB2DT, and EB2ADT engine types.

Why is this important?

These days, choosing the right motor oil involves more than just selecting the right viscosity.

This new 5W-30 engine oil provides a stronger and more stable lubricating film at high temperatures and under heavy loads. Thanks to its higher HTHS viscosity, bearings, pistons, cylinder walls, and other heavily loaded engine components are better protected against wear.

In addition, the oil contains an optimized additive package that reduces the formation of deposits, prevents oxidation, and improves engine cleanliness. The formulation is specifically tailored for engines with a timing belt that runs in the engine oil. This prevents premature degradation of the timing belt.

As a result of these successive changes, the lubricant specifications for a growing number of Stellantis vehicles have been updated, in some cases even retroactively. Consequently, lubrication schedules, service manuals, and maintenance labels may still contain outdated specifications or product recommendations.

Synmar Maxus 5W-30 STL

The Synmar Maxus 5W-30 STL was developed to meet these latest requirements.

This fully synthetic motor oil has been specially developed for heavily loaded gasoline, diesel, and hybrid passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. The oil meets the latest Stellantis FPW9.55535/03 specification and also offers excellent fuel-saving properties and reliable engine protection.

Ready for the Future

The automotive industry continues to evolve, and the same is true for lubricants.

Therefore, always consult our oil advisor for the most up-to-date lubricant recommendations. This information is continuously updated based on the latest OEM service information and manufacturer specifications, ensuring that the right lubricant can always be selected for every application.