What are the implications of ultra-low viscosity lubricants? How can oil marketers adapt? Owen Wyrley-Birch, The Lubrizol Corporation Sales Manager for Europe, Africa, Middle East and India, answers some frequently asked questions.

It’s no secret: The automotive industry is changing at a rapid pace. New technologies have been developed in order to meet new goals for fuel economy gains and emissions reduction, driven by new legislative standards around the world.

How is the industry responding to these challenges? In addition to engine hardware advancements, one reliable path to achieving greater fuel economy is through the use of thinner or lower viscosity lubricants. And we’re beginning to see more lower-viscosity lubricants than we have ever seen before.

So how did we get here?

Q: Why are ultra-low viscosity (ULV) lubricants being developed?

A: It’s been proven that lower viscosities help improve fuel economy – and improved fuel economy is an industry priority. More energy is required to move a thicker, higher viscosity lubricant throughout an engine as compared to a thinner lubricant. By conserving that energy, thinner lubricants can benefit fuel economy. The road to ULV lubricants began in Japan. Certain automakers such as Honda and Toyota began recommending the 0W-16 viscosity grade for use in new engines in the pursuit of greater fuel economy. These applications were some of the first for ULVs and helped highlight their potential.

Q: What is significant about the 0W-16 grade?

A: The 0W-16 grade is a thinner viscosity grade than what has traditionally been used in passenger cars. As a point of comparison, the lowest recognized viscosity grade by the American Petroleum Institute API. The primary oil and natural gas trade association in the United States. API operates a voluntary licensing and certification program that allows engine oil marketers to use the API Engine Oil Quality Marks if their products meet specific requirements had been SAE 0W-20. However, that changed this past April, as API defined SAE 0W-16 for the North American passenger car market.

Q: How are North American oil marketers addressing this change?

A: As a newly defined viscosity grade, SAE 0W-16 lubricants will require new formulation considerations. One challenge is offering the necessary wear protection that keeps an engine running over the course of its lifetime.

Through its research and development, testing, and involvement in industry groups, Lubrizol Additives anticipated the market need for ULV additives. So with its 0W-16 additives, Lubrizol technology offers the necessary protective benefits for SAE 0W-16 lubricants without sacrificing performance and fuel economy. In fact Lubrizol’s 0W-16 additive technology supports API SN licensable lubricants, paving the way for an ultra-low viscosity future.

Q: How was Lubrizol able to develop advanced 0W-16 additive technology?

A: Lubrizol Additives’ market knowledge and technical approach has allowed the company to develop a number of products and test them in all aspects of durability and efficiency. ULV is new territory for the industry at large, and Lubrizol has demonstrated that it can deliver lubricant technology and protection that modern engines are calling for. In the end, Lubrizol’s deep market engagement coupled with unmatched testing and technology allow us to bring 0W-16 additive solutions to market.

Q: So what’s next?

A: 0W-16 is not the end of the story– it is anticipated that viscosities will continue to trend lower into the future. The development of 0W-16 additive technology has allowed Lubrizol to build a foundation of knowledge, which positions our partners to become uniquely poised to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

For more information about Lubrizol’s efficient additives, please contact your Lubrizol account manager.

Owen Wyrley-Birch is The Lubrizol Corporation Sales Manager for Europe, Africa, Middle East and India. He has served in various roles throughout his 25 year history with the company, and is based in Wickliffe, Ohio, USA. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Kingston University in London.