The Role of Lubricants in
Fuel Efficient Equipment
Design
Christoph Wincierz
CO2 statements
Lord John Browne, BP chief executive (2002)
„We believe that if every car driver in Europe used the best lubricant we have
available today, CO2 emissions would fall by 30 million tonnes a year."
Western European OEM (2007)
„The cost of reducing 1 g CO2 per km
is between 30 and 120 €.“
Source: BMW
Date | Title of Presentation
Page | 2
How do lubricants reduce fuel
consumption?
1. Mechanical Efficiency
Viscous drag
→ Reduce viscosity
Friction in contacts
→ Optimize surface layer
2. Volumetric Efficiency
→ Increase viscosity
3. Compensate downsizing effects
Date | Title of Presentation
Shear stability ↑
Pitting resistance↑
EP / AW performance ↑
Longevity FM ↑
Thermal-oxidative stability ↑
Operating temperature ↓
Page | 3
SAE J306 updated for
fuel economy and shear stability
SAE Viscosity
Grade
70W
75W
80W
85W
80
85
90
110
140
190
250
Maximum Temperature for
Viscosity of 150,000 mPas,
°C (Using ASTM D 2983)
-55
-40
-26
-12
---------------
Kinematic Viscosity at 100°C,
cSt
(Using ASTM D 445)
Maximum
Minimum
--4,1
--4,1
--7,0
--11,0
<11,0
7,0
<13,5
11,0
<18,5
13,5
<24,0
18,5
<32,5
24,0
<41,0
32,5
--41,0
1998
1998
2005
2005
2005
2005
Stay-in-grade after shear in KRL 20 hours (CEC L-45-A-99)
Date | Title of Presentation
Page | 4
Truck on Roller Dynamometer
Manual Transmission Fluid
ZF fluid
SAE 30
KV 100 / cSt
9.0
11.5
KV 30 / cSt
84
170
FIGE cyclus, fuel savings
Urban traffic:
2.6 – 3.3 %
Suburban traffic: 1,1 – 1,2 %
Motorway:
0 % (direct drive)
Total Savings
0.7 – 1 %
Source: ZF
Heavy truck field test revealed 0.5 to 5 % difference in fuel consumption between
SAE 90 and SAE 75W-90 depending on topography and temperature.
Source: RohMax
Date | Title of Presentation
Page | 5
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Passenger Car
8
7,5
6
5,5
4
2
0
5 speed
ATF
Source: ZF
Date | Title of Presentation
6 speed
ATF
Drag torque in Nm
KV 100 °C in mm²/s
8
7,0
6
5,9
4
2
0
5 speed
ATF
6 speed
ATF
1 % better fuel economy
Page | 6
FZG Efficiency Test
according to VW Method PV 1456
Gear Set 2
Torsion
Flange
Gear Set 1
Torque
Sensor
Drive
Motor
Shaft 2
Shaft 1
Torque Adjustment
Flange
Selection of base oil, additives, VI Improver
Date | Title of Presentation
Page | 7
Avoid Pitting as a consequence of
lower viscosities
OEMs specify
Bearing pitting test
FZG Pitting tests
Film thickness
Date | Title of Presentation
Page | 8
Operating Temperature
ARKL Test VW PV 1454
Mineral oil
4 mm²/s
Oil Temperature °C
PAO 4
Test time in min
Date | Title of Presentation
Page | 9
Volumetric Efficiency
100
Pump Efficiency, %
90
80
70
V-20
V-104
60
50
Increased viscosity at operating temperature leads to
higher pump efficiency.
40
30
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Viscosity, mm 2/s
Date | Title of Presentation
Page | 10
CAT Hydo 10W (VI 104) vs
ISO 46 (VI 200)
Caterpillar 318CL
Throttle Fuel
Consumption
ISO 46 VI 200
Date | Title of Presentation
Productivity
Number of Work
Cycles
ISO 46 VI 200
100 %
- 13.8%
+ 5.8%
90 %
- 8.6%
+ 24.3%
Page | 11
Summary
OEMs view lubricants as design element for fuel economy.
Trend towards lower viscosities keeps ongoing.
Pitting is a challenge.
Efficiency increases importance in hydraulic applications.
Date | Title of Presentation
Page | 12
Disclaimer
This information and all further technical advice is based on our present knowledge and experience. However, it implies no liability
or other legal responsibility on our part, including with regard to existing third party intellectual property rights, especially patent
rights. In particular, no warranty, whether express or implied, or guarantee of product properties in the legal sense is intended or
implied. We reserve the right to make any changes according to technological progress or further developments. The customer is
not released from the obligation to conduct careful inspection and testing of incoming goods. Performance of the product described
herein should be verified by testing, which should be carried out only by qualified experts in the sole responsibility of a customer.
Reference to trade names used by other companies is neither a recommendation, nor does it imply that similar products could not
be used.
VISCOPLEX® and VISCOBASE® are registered trademarks of Röhm GmbH & Co.KG
Date | Title of Presentation
Page | 13