Hybrid cars are becoming more popular because they save fuel and produce fewer emissions by combining a gasoline engine with an electric motor. However, their unique design means they need special care, especially when it comes to engine oils and lubricants. Using the right hybrid oil is important to keep these cars running efficiently and protect their engines for the long term.
At Fubex Lubricants, we offer premium engine oils specially designed for hybrid cars and all types of vehicles. Enjoy fast shipping, a price match guarantee, and hassle-free returns. Need help choosing the right oil for your hybrid? Call us at +971 50 544 9614 — our friendly team is ready to assist!
In this guide, we’ll explore how hybrid cars work, why they need special oils, and which Fubex products are best for them.
How Do Hybrid Cars Work and Why Are They So Efficient?
Hybrid vehicles use two types of energy to move: electricity and a traditional gasoline engine. By combining these power sources, hybrids use less fossil fuel, which lowers emissions and helps the car get more miles per gallon.
Modern hybrids have three main parts:
- An internal combustion engine
- An electric motor
- A battery pack
These cars run on both the engine and the electric motor, which stores energy in batteries. The batteries recharge through regenerative braking and the engine itself. This extra electric power helps run small systems in the car and reduces engine idling when stopped.
Together, these features improve fuel efficiency without losing performance, making hybrids a smart and eco-friendly choice.
Types of Hybrid Vehicles
Hybrid vehicles are categorized based on their level of hybridization and the type of hybrid powertrain they use.
Classification by Hybridization Level
Hybrid vehicles fall into three main types:
- Full Hybrids: These can run on the electric motor, the combustion engine, or both at the same time. The battery charges while driving using the combustion engine and regenerative braking, but it cannot be plugged in to recharge.
- Mild Hybrids: The electric motor and combustion engine always work together and cannot operate independently.
- Full Plug-in Hybrids: These vehicles need to be plugged in to fully recharge their batteries. They can switch between charge-depleting mode (using mostly electric power) and charge-sustaining mode (using both power sources) to maximize battery range and fuel efficiency.
Hybrid Classification Based on Powertrain Types
The powertrain delivers power to a vehicle’s wheels. Traditional powertrains include parts like the engine, transmission, driveshaft, suspension, and wheels. Hybrid vehicles add extra powertrain components and use different setups—series, parallel, or series-parallel—to get the most from hybrid technology.
- Series: The electric motor powers the wheels. It gets energy from a battery or a generator powered by the internal combustion engine.
- Parallel: Both the electric motor and the combustion engine work together to power the wheels.
- Series-Parallel: Either the combustion engine or the electric motor can power the wheels independently.
The series-parallel system offers the best fuel efficiency. It works like a series system at low speeds and switches to gas-only mode at higher speeds. This flexible design uses less fuel, lowers emissions, and delivers optimal efficiency.
Why Using the Right Hybrid Oil Is Important
Hybrid engines usually run cooler because the electric motor shares the workload with the combustion engine. This means the engine often doesn’t reach the ideal temperature needed to evaporate water that collects in the engine oil. Since the oil stays cooler, it may not lubricate the engine parts as well as it should.
Using the right hybrid engine oil helps reduce engine wear, stops sludge from building up, and extends the life of your engine.
Another important point is that hybrid oils can come into contact with electrical parts in the vehicle. If the oil carries an electric charge, it can cause serious damage. That’s why hybrid oils and transmission fluids have special electrical properties to work safely with the insulating materials and coatings inside hybrid cars.
Oxidation
Oxidation, or the breakdown of oil from heat and oxygen, affects hybrid engines differently. High temperatures can cause oil to deteriorate and increase electrical conductivity, which may harm seals and bearings. The right hybrid oil lowers the temperature of electric components and prevents oxidation, protecting sensitive electronics in the motor.
Choosing proper hybrid lubricants helps solve these issues, keeping your engine and its fluids healthy for longer.
Types of Hybrid Oil and Lubrication in Hybrid Vehicles
Hybrid vehicles have unique power systems that cause higher engine loads but shorter engine running times. These special conditions affect the types of fluids needed, which include:
- Engine Oil
- Drivetrain Oils, such as:
- Manual Transmission Fluids (MTF)
- Automatic Transmission Fluids (ATF)
- Dual Clutch Transmission Fluids (DCT)
- Continuously Variable Transmission Fluids (CVT)
- Manual Transmission Fluids (MTF)
- Engine Coolants
Lubrication Challenges in Hybrid Vehicles
When you speed up in a hybrid car, it switches between the electric motor and combustion engine to save fuel and cut emissions. However, this creates some unique challenges:
- The combustion engine usually kicks in when the car is already moving fast, causing a heavy load on a cold engine start. This increases wear risk.
- Because the combustion engine runs less often, it’s more likely to develop acid and moisture buildup.
- Not using the combustion engine enough can cause a type of wear called fretting.
- Short trips mainly on electric power can lead to water gathering inside the combustion engine.
Hybrid engines often run at lower oil temperatures, which can cause water and sludge to build up, degrading the oil over time. The oil’s additives must handle these tough conditions to protect the engine.
Also, using biofuels can speed up oil breakdown, especially in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). That’s why it’s important to use only high-quality hybrid oils to keep your engine running smoothly.
Should I Use Hybrid Engine Oil or Regular Oil for My Hybrid?
There is a small difference between hybrid engine oil and regular oil for traditional internal combustion engines. Many people think this difference doesn’t matter much.
In fact, the combustion engines in hybrid cars—whether diesel or gasoline—are similar to regular engines. Many manufacturers even list the same oil specifications for both hybrid and regular engines. This means many regular engine oils approved for traditional cars are also approved for hybrids.
However, hybrid cars run differently. Because the electric motor handles much of the power, the combustion engine runs less often and usually at lower temperatures. This frequent switching causes more cold starts for the engine.
Because of these cold starts and lower temperatures, we recommend using hybrid engine oil instead of regular oil.
Hybrid oils have special temperature and viscosity properties. They protect the engine better in cold conditions by reducing wear and corrosion quickly. For the best protection, hybrid oils typically have a cold temperature rating of 0W or 5W and smooth viscosity layers like SAE 20, 30, or lower.
That’s why Fubex created a line of oils and transmission fluids made specifically for hybrid vehicles.
When to Change the Oil in Hybrid Cars
Hybrid cars need regular oil changes just like traditional gasoline vehicles. However, because the electric motor does most of the work at low speeds, hybrid engines usually experience less strain, so oil changes might not be needed as often—especially if you mostly drive in the city.
At higher speeds, the combustion engine works harder, so oil quality becomes more important. Still, it’s best to follow the same oil change schedule as regular cars—about every 5,000 miles—to keep your hybrid engine in good shape.
If you use synthetic oil, you may be able to extend oil changes to 7,000–10,000 miles, thanks to its extra protection. But always check your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations to be sure.
Top Fubex Hybrid Oils
Fubex SUPREMEE-X SAE 5W-30 API
Fubex Supreme X 5W-30 SP is a unique, fully synthetic engine oil designed for both gasoline and hybrid engines. Its low viscosity and excellent flow help improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions. The advanced additives work to reduce deposits and keep your engine clean.
Fubex MAGNET SAE 0W-20 API
MAGNET 0W-20 SL-CF is a powerful engine oil that cleans, protects, and keeps your engine running smoothly. Fubex 0W-20 performs well in all types of cars worldwide, even where regular oils fall short. It’s the preferred oil for premium brands like Mercedes-Benz AMG, Porsche, and Aston Martin.
FUBEX ECO Calcium MP-3 Grease
The FUBEX ECO Calcium MP-3 Grease is ideal for cars, including hybrid vehicles, especially for chassis points, king pins, and die pins. It’s also perfect for heavy machinery and construction equipment. In workshops, it’s great for maintenance, helping pivots, joints, and springs move smoothly.
Final Takeaways
Hybrid cars combine electric motors with traditional engines to improve fuel efficiency and cut emissions. Because they run differently, hybrids need special oils to protect against wear, sludge, and oxidation.
Using high-quality hybrid oils like those from Fubex ensures your engine stays clean and performs well. Regular oil changes, following your car’s guidelines, help keep your hybrid running smoothly for longer.
FAQs
Q1: Is it better to use synthetic or regular oil?
Regular oil is cheaper but needs more frequent changes. Synthetic oil lasts longer and performs better, especially in tough conditions. If possible, synthetic or a blend is the better choice.
Q2: How long can a hybrid car go without an oil change?
For hybrid cars, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, just like with regular vehicles. Generally, an oil change is recommended every 5,000 to 7,000 miles, considering both mileage and oil age.
Editor-at-Large
A passionate writer in the lubricant industry, Awais Iqbal has been covering oils, greases, and industrial fluids since the start of his career. At 25, he’s already written for blogs, catalogs, and brand guides across the UAE. Awais’s insights help companies connect with their audience, and his clear, helpful writing style is trusted by brands in the region.
