How Does Synthetic Motor Oil Increase Fuel Economy?

increase-fuel-ecAlthough gas is hovering around only $2.00 per gallon these days, increasing fuel economy is still a top priority for most automakers, due in large part to more strict corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) requirements on the horizon.

One strategy automakers are using is widespread use of synthetic lubricants. How do synthetics increase fuel economy compared to conventional lubricants?

Reducing viscosity increases fuel economy

At one time, most passenger cars/light trucks used 10W-40 motor oil. Then it was 5W-30. Today, many vehicles call for 5W-20 and 0W-20 oils. And an even lower viscosity, 0W-16, is on the horizon for certain newer vehicles.

The lower the oil’s viscosity – defined as its resistance to flow – the more readily it will flow. Imagine a jar of honey and a glass of water. Stirring water with a spoon requires less energy than stirring honey. The same principle applies to your engine and motor oil. Lower-viscosity oils are easier to pump through the engine and offer reduced resistance to moving engine parts, increasing fuel economy.

Why do synthetics offer an advantage in reducing motor oil viscosity?

Formulating a 0W-XX motor oil using only conventional base oils is extremely difficult at best, if not impossible. While formulators can achieve the 0W rating, the oil will vaporize more readily at higher temperatures and fail other required industry tests. Simply put, formulating lubricants is a give/take, and conventional base oils don’t provide near the performance as synthetics, requiring formulators to give up too much required performance in one area to gain it in another. In this case, conventional oils have to give up too much high-temperature performance to achieve the 0W rating.

Better cold-flow ability

Synthetics’ improved flow during cold starts also improves fuel economy. Since they don’t contain waxes, which are inherent to conventional oils, they don’t thicken as much when your vehicle sits overnight. In the morning, when you start your vehicle and drive away, the motor oil, transmission fluid and gear lube don’t require as much effort to circulate. This results in less wasted energy and improved fuel economy.

It’s important to note that “cold” doesn’t only apply to us northern folks. “Normal” operating temperature for a vehicle can be up to 235ºF, and anything below that is considered cold to your engine. So even down south at the height of summer, synthetics’ improved cold-flow can still help improve fuel economy.

At AMSOIL, we’ve conducted multiple fuel-economy field trials. One of them revealed a 6.54 percent increase in fuel economy using AMSOIL synthetic lubricants compared to conventional oils in class 8 diesel trucks, which equals major savings for trucking fleets. We’ve also fielded multiple testimonials over the years from satisfied AMSOIL users who have experienced increased fuel economy (my own parents among them).

Gas probably won’t stay at $2.00 per gallon forever – prepare yourself by switching to synthetic lubricants if you haven’t already.

2022-2023 AMSOIL Championship Snocross Season Gears Up Scheuring Speed Sports driver Hunter Patenaude enters this season with his eyes on the title. We preview his path. _by Lindsay Tousignant|December 12, 2022 Hey race fans, last March we took a trip up to the Klim Compound to catch up with Scheuring Speed Sports between AMSOIL Championship […]

Be Prepared for Winter Driving Prepare your vehicle for hazardous roads before winter arrives. _by David Hilgendorf|October 25, 2022 Ice storms are most common when the air temperature is close to freezing and blizzards become more likely as temperatures fall below freezing. Both can reduce visibility and create slippery road conditions that require enhanced vigilance […]

The Grizzly Lodge in British Columbia Relies on AMSOIL   _by Ralf Butterscorch Nov  24, 2022 The Grizzly Lodge relies on generators, groomers, snowmobiles, snow bikes and track trucks in subzero day-to-day operations. Owner Adam Trainer discusses the extreme conditions his equipment faces and why he trusts AMSOIL products to protect all of it. AMSOIL: […]

What Is Cetane and Why Does It Matter? Ed Newman|Jan 04, 2023 8:08 AM   Cetane is a colorless, liquid hydrocarbon of the alkane series, C 16 H 34, used as a solvent and in cetane number determinations. In the same way that octane number ratings are applied to rate the ignition stability of gasoline, cetane values are assigned to diesel fuel to rate its combustion quality. Cetane numbers are used to […]

Oil Analysis Kits Available from Oil Analyzers Inc. Ed Newman|May 10, 2022 2:38 PM   In order to provide a cost-effective oil analysis option when a full fluid analysis is not required, Oil Analyzers Inc. has launched a new Oil Analyzers Value Kit that focuses on the most critical used-oil analysis tests. It provides less […]

Racer Secrets: Tips and Tricks to Help on Race Day Lindsay Premo|Oct 16, 2020 8:00 AM Happy October, race fans! There are a lot of things we know are necessary in racing. A helmet, driver’s suit, gloves, appropriate footwear and (obviously) something to race on/in are all essential to striving toward that checkered flag. But, […]