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Rising fuel prices and global concern over climate change have resulted in the need to deliver vehicles with improved fuel efficiency. The aim is to achieve this without compromising vehicle performance, durability or cost. Passenger car manufacturers worldwide are looking at various ways to optimize fuel economy performance. One option is for a vehicle OEM to re-design engine componentry in an effort to reduce engine friction and thereby reduce tailpipe emissions. There is also an increased focus on the crankcase lubricant as a potential tool to improve engine efficiency. This has led to a close collaborative working model between equipment manufacturers and engine oil marketers to create state of the art fluids capable of delivering higher fuel economy benefits without compromising engine durability. This paper describes a structured approach to the design of an advanced engine oil for a diesel passenger car.

The highly competitive sport motorcycle market demands continuous increase in engine performance. At the same time, legislation in the main industrialized countries establishes stringent limits for gaseous emissions from two wheelers. As already witnessed in the passenger car industry, motorcycle manufacturers are giving increased focus to the lubricant as a potential tool to improve engine performance and reduce gaseous emissions. When compared to a conventional, high viscosity formulation, an optimized low viscosity, low friction engine oil can bring significant increase in power release and fuel economy, as well as a reduction in tailpipe emissions. However, the use of highly efficient lubricants in sport motorcycle applications needs careful evaluation since motorcycle engines with an integrated clutch and gearbox require the lubricant to achieve very precise viscometric and frictional limits.