Effects on Resources and Environmental Impact by Modern Fuels and Lubricants

The principal targets for engine, fuel and lubricant R & D have always been quite similar like improving customer satisfaction or minimising the environmental impact. But the development processes went on nearly independent from each other. As environmental limitations in future legislation will be tightened further, it becomes increasingly important to regard the system Engine-Fuel-Lubricant as a tripartite unit which must be kept in optimal balance. This principle is the basis for rational use of resources in reaching a well defined environmentally benign target. Following this principle, in Austria a new, sulphur reduced diesel fuel with a multi purpose performance additive package in combination with a special crankcase lubricant for passenger cars was introduced recently. To optimise costs and results both developments were carried out hand in hand under careful consideration of current and future engine technologies.