FAQ

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. Where light vehicles are concerned, TOTAL Lubrifiants has chosen to use components least sensitive to alteration in time due to the effects of Fuel Economy oil.

There is no problem since TOTAL Fuel Economy oils are approved by constructors and their levels of performance are defined by the same constructors. The approvals shown on the cans ensure the user of a warranty on all points, identical to that offered for conventional oils of the same level of approval.

Yes, because the block temperature is always high (over 100°C) and coolers regulate the oil temperature to this level. The impact of the external temperature is therefore quite low. Tests conducted in India or North Africa have confirmed the excellent behaviour of TOTAL Fuel Economy oils. Moreover, TOTAL has developed a special …W-30 grade lubricant (RUBIA FE 20W-30) for heavy goods vehicles and buses in very hot climates

There is no problem as the fuel does not normally come into contact with the oil. Fuel Economy oils are designed in such a way that their Total Base Number (TBN) is capable if necessary of neutralising acid products generated by the combustion of fuels containing sulphur. Fuel Economy oils have the same TBN levels as conventional oils

It is an oil which makes for fuel economies by comparison with conventional oils for the same level of performance.This property applies firstly to engine oils but also to transmission oils: gearboxes, differentials, etc.

Numerous tests conducted by TOTAL on different types of vehicles (light vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, public works machinery, tractors) have shown savings of up to an average of 1 litre per 100 km (if used in combination with Fuel Economy lubricants for engines and transmissions)Even a minimal saving of 0.1 litres per 100 Km results in consequent economies on fuel, which on an average represents over 30% of business expenditure (as against an average of 0.5 % for the budget represented by the lubricants)

When it is an engine oil for light vehicles, the Fuel Economy property is part of the official international classifications (type ACEA A1, B1, C1, etc…)On the other hand, it is not yet incorporated into development programmes for industrial engines but tests conducted by TOTAL on vehicles or machinery in service have nevertheless demonstrated visible reductions in fuel consumption.

The oil grade is the predominant factor when we are talking of Fuel Economy oils.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.Nevertheless, 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.

It is frequently heard said that more fluid lubricants contribute to increasing oil consumption, but this is a veritable error. Total’s Fuel Economy lubricants undergo tests regulated by the profession with oil consumption results close to those obtained with conventional lubricants.Laboratory measurement of the oil volatility shows that the volatility of the Total Fuel Economy lubricants formulation and that of their standard equivalent is really quite close. Volatility is even often lower on the W-30 grade than on the standard grade. It is its formulation know-how which enables Total to go down the road of Fuel Economy whatever the performance level sought.

Misapprehension n°1: Fluidity = Oil Consumption
It is frequently said that more fluid lubricants contribute to an increase in oil consumption, but this is a fallacy. A laboratory measurement of oil volatility has shown that the Total Fuel Economy lubricants formula and that of their standard equivalent are really quite close. And what is more, the volatility is often lower for the W-30 grade than for the standard grades. It is its formulation know-how which enables Total to go down the road of Fuel Economy - whatever the level of performance sought, in an area where others limit themselves to developing Fuel Economy products using exclusively synthetic technology.  

Misapprehension n°2: Fluidity = 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, OM646DELA at level 228.51, OM611 at level 228.51) for 100% mineral grade xW-20 lubricants – proof of TOTALs commitment, expertise, and versatility in mastering the subject.

Certain persons are sometimes prone to believing that the more fluid Fuel Economy oils tend to increase wear, but the range of Total Fuel Economy lubricants in fact proves the opposite as it covers all the performance levels of international specifications and of constructors’ approvals, offering the same warranty access as conventional grade lubricants. This is notably the case with RUBIA Fuel Economy engine oils which have undergone the harshest wear tests in the profession (Mack T12 for level VDS-4,  Cummins ISB for level CJ-4, OM646 for level 228.51, OM611 for level 228.51) with a …W-20 100 % mineral grade, proof of the highly effective mastery of the subject.

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’s exploit has been to develop a range of mineral oil based Fuel Economy lubricants and therefore at an access price very close to that of conventional lubricants, thus offering the user unequalled benefits.