Continental Automotive Systems transfers to motorcycle engines the know-how gained from producing ten million QLT sensors for passenger car engines.

Frankfurt am Main, Germany, November 16, 2006. Having a sensor system check the level, temperature and quality of the engine oil is already a standard feature in many passenger cars. Continental Automotive Systems is now able to transfer this technology for use in motorcycles. The division of the international automotive supplier Continental AG possesses exceptional know-how in this area, having already produced ten million QLT (Quality, Level, Temperature) sensors for passenger cars, and having developed the QDIS oil diagnostic system. An oil quality sensor does not just mean improved engine protection for motorcycles; an added bonus is that it obviates the need for the frequently tiresome oil level check.

Here you can download the press release as a Word document (53 KB).

Here you can download the picture...

Oil quality sensors prevent damage by taking constant readings
Checking a motorcycle's oil level is usually a cumbersome task. For example, many motorcycles are not kept on jack stands but are only parked on side stands. To check the oil, the motorcyclist has to hold the motorcycle in a vertical position while, at the same time, either checking the sight glass at the bottom of the engine block or withdrawing and reading off the dipstick. The task is often made more difficult by a cowling or the motorcyclist risks getting burned on hot engine and exhaust parts.

An oil level sensor for motorcycles, which Continental Automotive Systems is able to derive from a product family of equivalent passenger car engine sensors, will relieve the motorcyclist of this arduous servicing task and prevent engine damage due to lack of oil: a low oil level will be instantly detected and indicated. In addition to this function, these sensors can also take on further tasks such as constant oil temperature and quality monitoring. Motorcycle engines are particularly demanding in this respect: with power density up to 200 hp and piston speeds of well above 22 m/s2, motorcycle engines are subject to far greater mechanical and thermal stresses than passenger car engines. Additionally, many motorcycle engines are equipped with a wet clutch, lubricated by the engine oil. This means that the oil has to reduce friction in the engine while maintaining the friction essential in the clutch. It therefore needs to be of a particularly high quality and compounded with special additives.

The QLT sensor determines the lubricity and the effectiveness of the additive by ascertaining the oil's permittivity, i.e. its electrical characteristics, through impedance measurement within a specified frequency range. Together with the oil level and temperature readings, permittivity data allow a cockpit display to warn the motorcyclist in good time of the optimum date for the next oil change. Depending on the usage profile, this might well be much later than had been the case so far, adding economic and ecological benefits to enhanced operating reliability.

The Continental Corporation is a leading automotive supplier of brake systems, chassis components, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers. In 2005 the corporation realized sales of EUR13.8 billion. At present it has a worldwide workforce of around 85,000.

As a worldwide leading technology partner to the automotive industry, the Automotive Systems Division of Continental AG integrates extensive know-how and uncompromising quality in the fields of driving safety, embedded telematics and hands-free communication systems, powertrain and comfort. In 2005 the Division achieved sales of approx. € 5.2 billion with a workforce of more than 24,000. Continental Automotive Systems develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake, stability and chassis control systems, electronic air suspension systems, sensors, engine management and transmission control systems, hybrid drives, cooling fan modules, body and security electronics and also is the industry leader of embedded telematics and communication systems in vehicles.

In 2006 Continental Automotive Systems celebrates altogether 100 years of successful automotive technologies. The slogan "Forward Thinking" points to the future and the mission to keep pushing for new dimensions in safe mobility and the joy of driving cars.