Continuously rising fuel prices and global concern on climate change have resulted in a need to deliver vehicles with increased fuel economy. This has to be achieved without compromising on performance, durability and cost.
Passenger car manufacturers are looking at various ways to maximize fuel economy. Major part of fuel saving can be tapped from engine itself. This can be done by activities on engine as below:
Improving overall combustion efficiency and hence BSFC
Efficient thermal management.
Weight reduction of engine parts or complete downsizing
Hybridization.
Reducing engine losses i.e. parasitic losses from auxiliaries and frictional losses.
This paper is focused on the reduction of engine frictional losses (FMEP) through the use of low viscosity lubrication oils. Various factors in lubrication oil contribute to friction. Experimental approach to quantifying the effect of different parameters of lubrication oil on total engine friction is presented. Results of experiments on screening rigs, engine test bench and vehicle chassis dynamometer with lubricating oils having different properties are presented and discussed. In addition, for oil formulations that lead to significant friction reduction, their effect on engine component wear and durability are discussed.
