Frequently asked questions about Fuel Economy
The answers to your questions on fuel economy lubricants
What are Fuel Economy lubricants?
Those lubricants have a specific formulation helping to save fuel in comparison with conventional oils of the same level of performance.This property applies to engine oils as well as to transmission oils (gearboxes, differentials, etc.).
Generally speaking, oils are only Fuel Economy by comparison with other superior grade oils: as a result, for an engine, a …W-30 grade oil is qualified as Fuel Economy by comparison with …W-40 ,…W-50, …W-60 grade oils, for transmissions, a 75W-80 oil is Fuel Economy in relation to an 80W-90 grade, and for a differential, a 75W-90 oil is Fuel Economy in relation to the 80W-140 or 85W-140 grades. Other more subtle criteria arising from the formulation also come into play (friction modifier additives, choice of base oil, knowing the reactivity between the different additives). It is for this reason that two W-30 grade lubricants do not automatically provide the same degree of fuel economies.
What fuel economies?
Numerous tests conducted by TOTAL on different types of vehicles; light vehicles, heavy duty vehicles, public works equipment/applications, tractors, etc., have shown savings of up to an average of 1 liter per 100 km (when Fuel Economy lubricants for engines and transmissions are used concurrently).Even a minimal saving of 0.1 liters per 100 km results in an increase in fuel savings, which on an average represents over 30% of business expenditure, a significant factor when compared to an average of less than 1% - the average budget represented by the lubricants.
When can we claim that a lubricant has a Fuel Economy property?
When it is engine oil for passenger cars, the Fuel Economy property is part of the official international classifications (as the M111 FE test included in ACEA specifications). While it is not yet been officially incorporated into development programs for industrial engines, tests conducted by TOTAL on vehicles in service have demonstrated visible reductions in fuel consumption.
Are all oils of the same grade “Fuel Economy”?
The oil grade is the predominant factor when we are talking about Fuel Economy. Nevertheless, other more subtle criteria arising from the formulation also come into play (friction modifier additives, choice of base oil, knowing the activity between the different additives) it is for this reason.
Are Fuel Economy oils compatible with fuels with high sulphur level?
Being that the fuel does not normally come into contact with the oil there is not a compatibility issue. Fuel Economy oils are designed in such a way that their Total Base Number (TBN) is capable if necessary of neutralizing acid products generated by the combustion of fuels containing sulphur. Fuel Economy oils have the same TBN levels as conventional oils
Are Fuel Economy (…W-30 grades) oils usable in hot climates?
Yes, because the block temperature is always high and coolers regulate the oil temperature to this level the impact of the external temperature is therefore minimal. Tests conducted in India and North Africa confirmed the excellent performance of TOTAL Fuel Economy oils. Moreover, TOTAL has developed a special …W-30 grade lubricant (RUBIA FE 20W-30) for heavy duty vehicles and buses which operate in extreme conditions (very hot climates).
Is there not a risk of losing the manufacturer’s warranty in case of a problem occurring on a vehicle when using Fuel Economy oils?
TOTAL Fuel Economy lubricants have the same homologations as conventional oils and thus offer exactly the same level of performance.
Do Fuel Economy oils maintain their Fuel Economy character throughout the oil change interval?
Generally speaking, Fuel Economy oils undergo the same stresses as conventional oils and therefore maintain their Fuel Economy capability up to the next oil change. As far as light vehicles are concerned, TOTAL Lubricants has chosen to use components less susceptive to change due to the effects of Fuel Economy oil.
Misapprehension regarding fuel economy
Misapprehension No. 1: Fuel Economy = Oil Consumption
It is frequently stated that more fluid lubricants contribute to increasing oil consumption, but this is a fallacy. Total Fuel Economy lubricants have undergone tests showing oil consumption results close to those obtained with conventional lubricants. The volatility is often lower for the W-30 grade than for the standard grades.
Misapprehension No. 2: Fuel Economy = Wear
Some people tend to believe that fluidity increases wear, but the Total range of Fuel Economy lubricants actually proves the opposite as it covers all of the performance levels of international specifications and OEM approvals, providing the performance, warranties, and guarantees of conventional grades.
This is notably the case for RUBIA Fuel Economy engine oils which have undergone the harshest wear tests in the industry (Mack T12 at level VDS-4, Cummins ISB at level CJ-4, OM 646 DELA at level 228.51, OM611 at level 228.51)
Misapprehension No. 3: Fuel Economy = Expensive Oil
The large majority of Fuel Economy oils available on the market are synthetic based oils and therefore very expensive (they certainly enable extended oil change intervals to be reached but at a price which is often twice as expensive).
TOTAL has developed a range of mineral and synthetic based technology Fuel Economy oils at competitive price very close to that of conventional lubricants, thus offering the user unequalled benefits.
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