Reducing Fuel Consumption
Highway Vehicles are a major contributor to air pollution, producing about 35% of all nitrogen oxide and 25%
of carbon dioxide emissions. Combine this with high fuel costs and a need for improved energy supply security,
and you have the main reasons for governments around the world dictating reduction in fuel consumption. Lubrication
formulations and fuel design can help this problem. The U.S. Congress just passed in December, 2007 a comprehensive
Energy Bill to address this subject, among others.
Russia's LUKOIL
Lukoil has reported an upgrade of their API Group I base oils at their plant in Nizkni, Novgorod; this
will increase viscoity index approximately 8 units; This will increase the appeal of their stocks in Western Europe.
NEW API CJ-4 Specification
The American Petroleum Institute (API) bagan certifying diesel oils against the
NEW service category "API CJ-4". The first qualifications were statrted in mid-October, 2006. These new oils are
made for recent high-perfomance diesel engines designed to meet 2007 on-highway exhaust emission standards. API CJ-4
oils will exceed previous performance requirements (API CI-4, CH-4, etc.) and are designed to protect emission control systems,
assist in meeting emission standards, reduce wear and control piston deposits and oil consumption. API CJ-4 oils may
be used in older engines and are intended to maintain drain intervals when used in conjunction with ultra-low Sulfur diesel
fuels (15 ppm max.).
Ford's New Mercon LV Transmission Fluid
In mid-April, 2007, Ford introduced the new ATF indentified as Mercon LV.
It is intended to be used for a FILL-FOR-LIFE fluid, and used intially in some 2008 models. LV stands for for Low Viscosity.
General Motors publishes Dexron VI ATF
GM introduced Dexron VI in April 2005 as a significant performance upgrade over Dexron III-H. Dexron III-H fluids
can no longer be licensed.
ACEA 2008
We expect a major revision to ACEA (Assocaition des Constructeurs Europeens de Autombiles) in 2008 to cover light-duty
and heavy-duty diesel lubricants. Much of these specification upgrades will be focused on EURO V emission
targets.
BIG EMISSIONS CUTS FOR SMALL ENGINES
In April 2007 the EPA announced new measures to cut emissions from the non-road
sector with a proposal setting strict standards for most lawn and garden equipment and leisure marine engines.
ILSAC GF-5
The next passenger car engine oil quality upgrade in North America is scheduled for mid-2009
LUBRICANT SALES
The National Petrochemical and Refiners Association reported that U.S. Lubricant sales fell 7.2 percent in the 2nd
quarter of 2007 versus same period in 2006.
Hydraulic fluids will reach 1.17 billion gallons in the current year, 2007. This is approximatley 10% of the
total fluid needs in the world. It is projected that growth in this market will approach 2-3% per year over the next five
[5] years.
