Future regulations have put increased focus on reducing criteria pollutant emissions, improving engine efficiency, and ensuring these benefits are maintained for the useful life of the equipment. Engine builders continue to require improved lubricants as enablers to meet these regulatory requirements. Most recently, these improvements have focused on lower engine lubricant viscosity, improved oxidative stability, and constraints on lubricant additives that interfere with emission control system performance.
This study quantifies the synergistic benefits derived from combining a renewable base oil with ultra-low ash additive technology to improve fuel economy retention (FER). These benefits derive from their inherently low volatility and high oxidative stability, which limits lubricant thickening and deposits that would otherwise degrade fuel efficiency over the life of the lubricant. FER studies on a heavy-duty diesel test stand demonstrate 0.5 - 2.0 % advantage for the advanced formulation compared to a conventional lubricant. Further testing demonstrates the additional FER advantages derived from reduced turbocharger fouling associated with the advanced lubricant formulation.
The renewable base oil when coupled with ultra-low ash technology lubricant degradation and diesel particulate filter backpressure fuel economy advantages, contributes to a path to carbon neutrality.