A new report from Tsinghua University shows the link between high-grade lubes and vehicle engine life.
Tsinghua University's Automotive Engineering Department have recently published a study called “The Impact of Lubricants on Engine Performance” which analyses the correlation between the quality and grade of lubes with engine performance. The study found that high-grade lubes could significantly reduce engine wear and can improve cleaning ability.
The report is based on research which simulated the effect of 30,000km of driving on an engine. This showed that engines using low-grade lubes were significantly higher in metal deposits than APISN standard lubes and that low-grade lubes showed a more dramatic reduction in viscosity compared to high-grade lubes.
The research also found that low-grade lubes oxidised faster and collected more carbon deposits and engine sludge, thus reducing their efficacy and protective capabilities, whereas APISN standard lubes could keep the engine cleaner and extend its lifespan.
Dr. Du Yongchang, Associate Professor of Automotive Engineering at Tsinghua, said he hopes the research will increase Chinese car owners' awareness and understanding about proper vehicle maintenance. Dr. Du claims that using the latest technology in APISN lubricants will “provide better engine protection as well as increasing fuel economy”, and believes that using high-grade lubes is vital in China's growing automotive market.
A spokesperson for Lubrizol China commented on the study, saying that “whilst oil performance will continue to upgrade with introduction of new engine technologies, such as direct injection gasoline engines, in the future; passenger car makers, oil companies and additive companies should all take efforts to push for a performance upgrade and eliminate the misapplication of lower tier oils in the market, which could cause the failure of modern engines.”