Fuel Economy Benefits of Synthetic Lubricants in Heavy-Duty Trucks

A synthetic diesel engine oil and gear lubricant show substantial fuel savings over conventional premium quality lubricants under widely different test conditions and test procedures. Significant fuel economy improvements, ranging up to six percent, from the use of synthetic lubricants in heavy-duty diesel trucks, are documented in a laboratory engine test, vehicle chassis rolls tests and ATA (American Trucking Association) Type 1 two-truck over-the-road tests. These fuel savings have been confirmed in closely monitored fleet tests in both long-haul and delivery service for up to two years of testing and approximately four million miles (6.4 million km) of operation. Heavy-duty 290-365 hp diesel engines produced by the four most popular US builders were included in the fleet tests. A summary of the economics of energy savings using synthetic lubricants is discussed.