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Due to the increasingly stringent emissions standards in the world and, on the other hand, the foreseen shortage of fossil fuels, the application of low viscosity engine oils (LVO) is considered one of the most interesting options for counter these threats. In parallel to a fuel consumption fleet test, the aim of this study was to assess the performance of commercial low viscosity oils regarding their degradation and engine wear, since the use of LVO could imply an increase in wear rate. Potential higher engine wear could result in a reduction in the expected engine life cycle, obviously is a non-desired effect. In addition, currently limited data are available regarding “real-world” performance of LVO in a real service fleet.

This paper shows the results of a fuel consumption in-use comparison test where the effect of Low Viscosity Oils (LVO) was evaluated over a sample of 39 urban buses powered by Diesel and CNG engines. The aim of the test was to verify the fuel consumption benefits of LVO in Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDV) found in previous works, which were obtained mainly in engine test bench, when engines are working on “on-Road” conditions. In order to achieve this goal, a sample of 39 urban buses was studied over an Oil Drain Interval or 30.000 km (approximately an 11 month period), measuring daily mileage and fuel consumed to calculate each bus fuel consumption. Mileage was measured by GPS and fuel consumed was measured from refueling system. The sample was divided into two groups; a control group of buses using reference oils (SAE grade viscosities of 15W-40 and 10W-40) and a candidate group using LVO oils (SAE grade viscosities 5W-30).