FL-95-111 UPCOMING AND FUTURE PASSENGER CAR MOTOR OIL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS-A BASE OIL REFINER’S PERSPECTIVE

Description:

Specifications for lubricant base oils are being influenced by market and legislative forces in ways that require higher base oil quality. The need to provide better compatibility of lubricants with automotive catalysts and the need for greater fuel economy both drive lubricants and their base oils to lower volatility and lower viscosity specifications. Many believe lower volatility lubricants will reduce phosphorus deposits on automotive exhaust catalysts, leading to longer catalyst life. Likewise, lower viscosity lubricants can improve fuel economy. When formulating lower volatility lubricants for lower viscosity grades, base oil volatility can be reduced by raising VI. In addition, customer preference for extended drain intervals requires higher oxidative and thermal stability of lubricants, which in turn requires greater stability of base oils as well.