Performance Attributes of a Diesel Engine Oil for Passenger Car Segment: Challenges and Scope

This paper presents our work on the development of a passenger car diesel engine oil [PCDEO] to meet the specific requirements of new generation passenger car diesel engine [PCDE] using EGR as a primary solution to meet the emission norms. The relevant performance attributes have been drawn from the US and European specifications to provide a global solution to the complexities of typical Indian operations. The paper describes the lube oil design features and its performance attributes in relation to laboratory bench tests and performance engine tests for not only conforming to passenger car diesel engine operations, but also to the performance domains likely to result as a function of design features. The performance of the lube oil has further been established in a series of endurance tests in a new generation representative PCDE. The sustenance of service-property indices of the lube oil in use have been validated in an exhaustive on-road field evaluation program for 80000 engine kms in 8 segments of 10000 kms each.