DID YOU KNOW: A multi-grade oil 0W-30, 10W-30 or a straight grade 30 have the same thickness at 212°F. The difference is at 40°F, in the morning when you go to start the engine. W-stands for Winter! When we service a vehicle, change oil and replace a filter, are we thinking about Hydrodynamic Lubrication or Tribology, what about Fuel Economy? Looking over the choices of motor oils available for today’s engines, Conventional, Synthetic Blends, Full Synthetic, High Mileage, consumers have choices and so do professional shops that are providing this valuable service. Through the years, as engines have evolved, oil formulations have evolved along with them. Modern engines could never be the fuel-efficient machines they are today without the help of motor oil. This is where Tribology comes in. Tribology is the science and engineering of interacting surfaces in motion, its study includes, principles of friction, lubricant and wear. Tribology is helping engineers meet increasing government demands for achieving 54.5 MPG by 2025.
DID YOU KNOW: New lubricant formulas can increase fuel efficiency by up to 6.5%. OEM’s continuously modify oil formulas with almost every new model year. Engineers are continuously looking for ways to improve fuel economy, control deposits, limit oxidation, corrosion, and extend normal oil-change intervals. The average oil change interval is now 7,500 miles. This would not be possible if it wasn’t for better motor oil formulations and filtration technologies. Modern gasoline engines using advanced technologies like: turbo and superchargers, variable valve trains, direct injection, are all designed and built to use an approved oil, and that oil may be a proprietary formula. Choosing the wrong oil for these engines can cause problems down the road and may void the warranty. Vehicles equipped with Automatic Stop/Start Systems are gaining popularity and may be more prone to engine bearing wear. For this reason, the manufactures may use coated bearings which will require the correct oil formula to protect the engine during autostops and starts. That small gap of time between engine off and engine on is when the highest friction takes place, increasing wear and tear immensely. This is where Hydrodynamic Lubrication enters the conversation.
Hydrodynamic lubrication is where the motion of the rotating part is separated by the lubricant around the bearing to maintain the lubricating film. As professionals we should be encouraging owners to use the right oil specification that is recommended by the manufacturer. The manufactures oil specification can be looked up in service information or it may be in the owner’s manual. Example: FORD Motor Oil Specification: WSS-M2C945-A is for 5W-20 motor oil. Know this, not all oils and filters are created equal. 5W is the cold weather viscosity, and the 20 is the hot weather viscosity.Hydrodynamic lubrication is where the motion of the rotating part is separated by the lubricant around the bearing to maintain the lubricating film. As professionals we should be encouraging owners to use the right oil specification that is recommended by the manufacturer. The manufactures oil specification can be looked up in service information or it may be in the owner’s manual. Example: FORD Motor Oil Specification: WSS-M2C945-A is for 5W-20 motor oil. Know this, not all oils and filters are created equal. 5W is the cold weather viscosity, and the 20 is the hot weather viscosity. Quoted from Advance Professional TechTip