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With Euro III emissions standards requiring a 50% reduction in current diesel car emissions from January 1st 2000, there is a need to improve fuel consumption and thus reduce exhaust emissions. One of the ways this is being addressed is by the introduction of lower viscosity crankcase oils and by the use of friction modifiers within these oils. The resulting reduced engine friction contributes to improved fuel economy and should also aid engine cold start ability. To investigate the cold start abilities of different crankcase oils, a matrix consisting of six different oil formulations was tested at -20°C, - 25°C and -30°C in a two litre four cylinder diesel engine. The tests were conducted using a dynamometer, with the engine being driven by the dynamometer at nominal cranking speed for 30 seconds and then increased to cold idle speed for a further 30 seconds.

Historically, fuel cost conscious customers have tended to purchase diesel passenger cars. However, with increasing competition from alternative fuels and lean burn and direct injection gasoline fuelled engines, diesel engined vehicles currently face tough challenges from the point of fuel economy and emissions. In gasoline engines, low viscosity friction modified oils have demonstrated their potential for reducing internal engine friction and thus improving fuel economy, without adversely effecting engine durability. These fuel economy improvements have led to the introduction of such a low viscosity friction modified 5W-30 oil as the initial and service fill for the majority of Ford products sold in Europe. The trend towards even lower viscosities continues. To assess the potential benefits and issues of moving to 5W-20 in diesel engines, a short pilot study has been conducted using a Ford 1.8l direct injection diesel engine.