It's no secret that low viscosity engine oil is important for engine efficiency and performance. This type of lubricant reduces friction and wear, ensuring the protection of your engine between oil changes.

Lowering viscosity has also become a priority for automakers looking to meet fuel economy standards. The industry has begun incorporating low viscosity oil in more and more engines.

In addition to fuel savings, this type of lubricant can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well. While the exact benefits are still unknown, the reduction in viscosity is believed to contribute to an increase in fuel efficiency.

In fact, there is a growing appetite for lower viscosity engine oils by foreign OEMs. Fortunately, it's not difficult to switch to this type of lubricant. No change in maintenance practices or fleet filtration is required. And with no upfront investment, switching to a low viscosity oil can be implemented quickly across a fleet.

Low viscosity lubricants offer excellent aeration control and shear stability. They can also enhance fuel efficiency and prevent rotational losses. These benefits, along with other benefits, have made them an increasingly popular choice for automakers and vehicle owners.

Newer engines are built to tighter tolerances than their predecessors. However, these newer engines are also running at higher temperatures, which can lead to problems with low viscosity lubricants.

A recent study compiled kinematic viscosity values for engine oils. This allowed researchers to compare the effects of different viscosity grades.

The study found that lower viscosity grades exhibited lower CO2 and NOx emissions. Additionally, the study showed that they had higher fuel efficiency.