Passenger Car Engine Oil: Introduction and Outline
Passenger Car Engine Oil: Introduction and Outline
Passenger Car Engine Oil: Introduction and Outline
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2018
© 2017 Infineum
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2017160.
2018012.
*Sequence VID and Sequence IIIGB/IIIHB required only for API SN-RC/ILSAC GF-5
# ROBO Test (Romaszewski Oil Bench Oxidation test).
Sequence IIIGB
Sequence IIIG/IIIH
PASS
Evaluates viscosity increase, piston deposits, and
valve train wear during high temperature conditions
FAIL
Sequence IVA
PASS FAIL
Sequence VIII
PASS FAIL
Sequence VG
Sequence VID
• Evaluates the effect of engine oil on the fuel economy of passenger cars
and light-duty trucks
• Procedure:
– Fuel consumption is measured twice at each of 6 speed/load/temperature test
conditions for SAE 20W‐30 baseline oil (BL)
– The candidate oil is introduced and aged for 16 hours at aging conditions. Fuel
consumption is measured for each of the 6 test conditions
– The candidate oil is aged for an additional 84 hours. Fuel consumption is
measured for each of the 6 test conditions and followed by a repeat of the BL
oil at the 6 test conditions. Candidate fuel economy results reported relative to
the BL
SAE Grade FEI2 Limit [%] FEISUM Limit [%]
xW-20 ≥ 1.2 ≥ 2.6
xW-30 ≥ 0.9 ≥ 1.9
10W-30 ≥ 0.6 ≥ 1.5
*Sequence VID and Sequence IIIGB/IIIHB required only for API SN PLUS - RC/ILSAC GF-5
# ROBO Test (Romaszewski Oil Bench Oxidation test).
Sequence IX
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2018 Infineum International Limited. All Rights Reserved. 2017160.
2018012.
Performance you can rely on.
*Infineum estimate
• SAE 5W-30
– Is currently the highest proportion viscosity grade
– Has begun to decline in favor of other ‘lighter’ viscosity grades such as SAE 0W
and 5W-20, which are growing about 10-20%/y
• SAE 0W-20
– Several OEMs now recommend SAE 0W-20 engine oils in most engines including
Toyota, Honda and now General Motors
– Requires a minimum of all Group III basestock, increases cost
– Generally marketed as a mid-tier or premium product at retail
outlets and quick lubes
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*Infineum estimate
• For historical reference, SAE 10W-30 represented over 50% of all oil
sold in 2000 to approximately 10% today. It takes a long time for new
grades to integrate into the market
• Other viscosity grades are hard to find as retailers stock high value
mid-and top-tier products
– SAE xW-16 is the newest viscosity grade allowed. No significant demand
is expected in NA for few years and likely won’t be recommended until
ILSAC GF-6 is implemented
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Performance you can rely on.
NA market segmentation
• Mid Tier
– High mileage oils dominate,
but their share is flat
– Green oils (biostocks and re-refined)
are still very small
– Synthetic blends carry lower market premium to retailers *Infineum estimate
ILSAC GF-6A
SAE XW-20 and XW-30
ILSAC GF-6B
SAE 0W-16
?
HTHS Viscosity >= 2.6 mPa•s HTHS Viscosity 2.3-2.6 mPa•s
Current ILSAC GF-5 grades Fuel economy grade (Below SAE 20)
• ILSAC GF-6A and GF-6B will have same performance requirements except
for the fuel efficiency test – Seq. VIE for GF-6A; Seq. VIF for GF-6B
– Seq. VIF utilizes a lower temperature than the Seq. VIE in 4 of the 6 stages
• Need to differentiate ILSAC GF-6A oils from GF-6B oils to avoid
misapplication
– ILSAC GF-6A oils will contain current Starburst symbol; ILSAC wants a different
symbol for GF-6B oils, but need marketers’ consensus
• ILSAC GF-6 will contain 4 replacement engine tests and 3 new engine tests.
– Most done previously was 4 replacement tests in ILSAC GF-3
• This has placed a lot of strain on test labs and the rest of the industry, resulting
in significant delays in test development and completion of category
ILSAC GF-5 ILSAC GF-6A/B
Sequence IIIG 1996 GM 3.8L Sequence IIIH 2012 FCA 3.6L
Sequence IVA 1994 Nissan 2.4L Sequence IVB 2010 Toyota 1.5L
Sequence VG 2000 Ford 4.6L Sequence VH 2013 Ford 4.6L
Sequence VID 2009 GM 3.6L Sequence VIE 2012 GM 3.6L
Sequence VIII CLR Test 0.7L Sequence VIII CLR Test 0.7L
Sequence VIF 2012 GM 3.6L
Sequence IX 2016 Ford 2.0L
Sequence X 2016 Ford 2.0L
Sequence X
Chain Extension Sequence IVB
Cam & Lifter Wear
Sequence IX
Pre-ignition Sequence VIE/F
Fuel Economy
Summary
• API SN PLUS will address automakers’ concerns about low speed pre-
ignition problem in turbocharged direct injection gasoline engines
• ILSAC GF-6 will deliver improved fuel economy and more robust engine
protection, similar to its predecessors
Appendix
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2018012.
Detergents
Dispersants
ZDDP
Antioxidants
Background Several options available beyond ZDDP including:
• Aminic and phenolic
• Metal – and/or sulfur-based
Formulation 1. Response of oil to oxidation varies significantly by engine test, so
considerations a combination of antioxidants typically used to achieve
performance
Friction Modifiers
Background Several options available including:
• Organic
• Inorganic
Formulation 1. Some are highly surface active and can detrimentally impact wear
considerations performance
2. Organic FMs may cause stability issues in the additive package or
finished oil
Viscosity Modifiers
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