Optimizing engine oil warm-up strategies for ‘real-world’ driving

Optimizing engines for the new era of ‘real-world’ driving cycles will require new lubrication strategies-fast warm-up being a particular area of focus. A recent U.K. government survey showed that the average car journey time has fallen to only 22 minutes and average distance to 12 km (7.5 m), most of it in urban areas. And such extreme duty cycles are increasingly typical in other global regions. They emphasize rapid warm-up for reducing emissions and fuel consumption, faster cabin heating and reduced maintenance.

But the contribution to warm-up time due to heating the oil within the engine is often under-estimated, experts note.