Search Results

In order to meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) regulations and Bharat Stage VI (BS VI) emission regulations, Indian auto original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are adopting low viscosity engine/axle/transmission oils to achieve overall fuel efficiency gain. Attaining fuel economy by reducing oil viscosity is already established for passenger car motor oils (PCMOs) but is in its initial phase for heavy-duty diesel engine oils (HDDEOs). Now SAE 15W-40 is the most widely used viscosity grade by volume for HDDEO. In India, a large number of old vehicles meeting BS II, BS III and BS IV norms exists and require sustainable strategy to reduce fuel consumption, as well as overall greenhouse gas emissions. In this paper, authors discussed the development of low viscosity heavy duty diesel engine oil in 10W-30 viscometrics meeting API CH4 specification.

Automobile OEMs are looking for improving fuel economy[1,2] of their vehicles by reducing weight, rolling resistance and improving engine and transmission efficiency apart from the aerodynamic design. Fuel economy may be improved by using appropriate low viscosity [3] and use of friction reducers (FRs)[4,5] in the engine oils. The concept of high viscosity index [6] is being used for achieving right viscosity at required operating temperatures. In this paper performance properties of High Viscosity Index engine oils have been compared with conventional VI engine oils. Efforts have been made to check the key differentiation in oil properties w.r.t. low temperature fluidity, high temperature high shear viscosity/deposits, friction behavior, oxidation performance in bench tribological /engine/chassis dyno tests which finally lead to oil performance assessment. Three candidates of SAE 0W-30 grade oil with ACEA C2/API SN credentials have been chosen using various viscosity modifiers.