This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
An Experimental Evaluation of the Impact of Ultra Low Viscosity Engine Oils on Fuel Economy and CO 2 Emissions
Technical Paper
2013-01-2566
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
Low and ultra low viscosity oils are one of the main solutions considered in view of the improvement of energy efficiency for better fuel economy.
The recent modification of SAE J300 engine oil viscosity classification, to include engine oils with high temperature & high shear rate (HTHS) viscosity of 2.3 mPa·s for the SAE 16 grade, has opened debate on the possible real benefits that could derive, in terms of fuel economy and CO2 emission reduction, from the use of ultra low viscosity oils on engines of current technology.
Two European compact cars (C-segment) of recent technology and similar characteristics were employed in our laboratories, on chassis-dyno test bed, to evaluate fuel economy with the use of oils having an HTHS viscosity decreasing from 2.9 to 2.0 mPa·s, with a −0.3 mPa·s step.
Different test cycles were selected for this purpose: the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), applied in laboratory test approvals within EU, that is composed of a urban driving and a high speed driving cycle, and the Urban Driving Cycle developed within the European ARTEMIS project (Assessment and Reliability of Transport Emission Models and Inventory Systems), based on statistical analysis of a large database of European real world driving patterns.
The tests were designed according to a statistical approach. By combining the variables “oil”, “driving cycle” and “vehicle” according to a factorial design, 214 chassis-dyno tests were carried out.
The results of the experimentation point out different levels of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions for both vehicles, as well as different trends of fuel consumption as a function of HTHS viscosity.
Fuel consumption of the first vehicle, showing the best fuel economy, presents an initial downward trend as HTHS decreases, followed by a plateau and a general upward trend. This final negative upward trend is emphasized in the Artemis Urban Driving Cycle.
A different behavior occurs on the second vehicle, where a general progressive downward trend emerges when decreasing HTHS viscosity. This positive trend is weakened in the Artemis Urban Driving Cycle.
The application of the statistical technique of Analysis of Variance (Anova) reveals that the variable “oil” has a highly statistical significant effect on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, as well as the interaction between the variables “oil” and “vehicle”. This latter result is the statistical confirmation that the two vehicles provide a different ranking of the testing oils.
Recommended Content
Authors
Citation
Manni, M. and Florio, S., "An Experimental Evaluation of the Impact of Ultra Low Viscosity Engine Oils on Fuel Economy and CO2 Emissions," SAE Technical Paper 2013-01-2566, 2013, https://doi.org/10.4271/2013-01-2566.Also In
References
- Covitch , M. , Brown , M. , May , C. , Selby , T. et al. Extending SAE J300 to Viscosity Grades below SAE 20 SAE Int. J. Fuels Lubr. 3 2 1030 1040 2010 10.4271/2010-01-2286
- Miller , T. , Van Dam , W. , and Parsons , G. Recent Developments in GF-6, the New North American Gasoline Engine Oil Performance Category: Part 1: The New J300 Viscosity Grade; Implications and Formulation Trade-offs SAE Technical Paper 2012-01-1707 2012 10.4271/2012-01-1707
- Fujimoto , K. , Yamashita , M. , Kaneko , T. , Hirano , S. et al. Development of ILSAC GF-5 0W-20 Fuel Economy Gasoline Engine Oil SAE Technical Paper 2012-01-1614 2012 10.4271/2012-01-1614
- Styer , J. and Guinther , G. Fuel Economy Beyond ILSAC GF-5: Correlation of Modern Engine Oil Tests to Real World Performance SAE Int. J. Fuels Lubr. 5 3 1025 1033 2012 10.4271/2012-01-1618
- Campbell Boundary Lubrication ASME 1969