| Abstract: | A combination of environmental legislation and a need for improved economics currently presents both OEMs and fleet owners with a conflicting set of performance and operational requirements. These include lower emission and paniculate levels, fuel economy, longer drain/service intervals, and enhanced engine durability. Improved engine lubricants will play a crucial role in achieving these goals. The impact of base-fluid composition and viscosity grade on emission/paniculate levels and fuel economy of a Euro II engine has been investigated. Polyalphaolefin-based lubricants appear as an encouraging solution, as shown by our results centred on an SAE 5W40 grade. |
