Development of Low Viscosity 0W-16 Fuel-Saving Engine Oil using a Synergistic Optimization of an Innovative Base Oil and Performant Additives while Maintaining Engine Durability in a ILSAC GF6-B Environment

Lowering fuel consumption whilst maintaining engine life continues to be a challenge for the lubricant industry. Forthcoming ILSAC GF-6 specification and new emission regulations make this challenge even harder to overcome. Knowledge concerning innovative polyalkylene glycol (PAG) chemistry combined with expertise in engine oil formulation (additives and mineral base oils) and a deep understanding of the friction within the engine were used to develop a 0W- 16 engine oil with better fuel economy performance than other 0W-16 oils present in the market.

Indeed, to accurately measure the friction on several part of the engine, a 1.2 L supercharged gasoline engine was first dismantled to measure the lubricant friction and wear capabilities of different lubricant formulations (containing group III base oil, additives and OSP HVI) on different engine parts. An initial optimization of the individual formulation components was realized to reduce the friction as much as possible whilst still maintaining wear protection performance. Additives were chosen to interact synergistically with OSP HVI. A second optimization was subsequently carried out using the whole engine in a friction torque test. Finally the fuel saving performance of the developed lubricant was assessed on a chassis dynamometer test. The formulation delivers between 0.5% and 0.9% of CO₂ reduction on JC08 and WLTC, compared to engine oils of the same SAE viscosity grade. Lastly, the durability performance of the lubricant was proven in ILSAC GF-6 sequence IIIH and IX.