How fuel efficient is a friction modifier additive?

High standards for the motor oil and automotive industry

The environmental pressure on the automotive industry continues to grow: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have issued the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Rule (SAFE) in the USA, where less CO₂ emissions and more fuel savings are among the contents of this publication. The European Parliament and authorities in Japan have also issued new regulations that require the reduction of CO₂ emissions. The relevance of fuel-efficient oils is increasing!

Advances in engine and motor oil technology

For this reason, the automotive industry is increasingly focusing on the development of fuel-efficient engines, among other things. The latest technologies in engine technology are smaller, lighter and more efficient. So-called downsized engines with less displacement but comparable performance require less fuel than other engines. BIZOL and the motor oil industry is also optimising lubricant technology, since about one third of fuel consumption is attributable to friction losses associated with the drive system.

WLTP test conditions prove fuel savings

Scientific papers such as “Fuel Economy Engine Oils: Scientific Rationale and Controversies”, show that “…For passenger cars, a change from the legacy SAE 10W-40 grade to 0W-20 brings on average 5% improvement in fuel economy under the WLTP test conditions, and the subsequent migration to 0W-8 can bring additional 5%, provided that engine hardware can safely handle such a low viscosity.”

Improved coefficients of friction via Friction Modifier Additives

But lower oil viscosity can also mean less protection against friction, and here is where the lubricant industry is working hard. For a long, damage-free and fuel-saving operation of the engines, the friction and wear between the moving parts must be minimised as much as possible via the lubricant. The use of low-viscosity engine oils and the addition of state-of-the-art additives with friction modifiers (FM) reduces unnecessary friction and energy losses and lowers fuel consumption.