Enhanced Fuel Economy Retention from an Ultra-Low Ash Heavy Duty Engine Oil

Diesel particulate filters are remarkably efficient in reducing emissions of particulate matter from heavy-duty diesel engines. However, their efficiency and performance are negatively impacted by contaminants derived from consumed engine lubricant. This accumulation of incombustible ash imparts a fuel economy penalty due to increased system backpressure and demand for more frequent regeneration events. This study documents a systematic evaluation of lubricant impacts on DPF ash loading, system performance, and fuel economy. A novel, ultra-low ash heavy-duty engine oil demonstrates significant advantages in aged systems when compared to tests using conventional lubricants. The ultra-low ash oil yields a significantly lower ash loading that is also more dense therefore offering extended DPF maintenance interval and potential for 3% fuel economy retention benefit. These advantages offer potential for significant reduction in cost to operate and maintain a DPF equipped engine.