Technical Paper
Factors Influencing Engine Oil Consumption in Today's Automotive Engines
1989-09-01
892159
An important quality feature of a crankcase engine oil is its ability to control oil consumption. To the average motorist low oil consumption is synonymous with the oil maintaining good engine performance, low levels of engine wear, low running costs and a clean driveway. In the current environment it has assumed major importance because of the possible adverse effect of oil consumption on exhaust emissions. An oil controls oil consumption by both its chemical and physical properties. Additive chemistry helps by minimizing piston ring and cylinder bore wear including bore polishing, the prevention of piston ring sticking and ensuring oil seals continue to work effectively. Tests to ensure control of these hardware variables were developed during the early 1980's. These test methods are briefly reviewed. Of the physical properties of an oil, viscosity and volatility are the two key characteristics known to affect oil consumption.