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Lubricants
When it comes to energy efficient lubricants for vehicles, it’s all about improving fuel economy. And our latest development for trucks and buses - Shell Rimula R6 LME – does just that.
Lube Clinic: Shell Thornton laboratories
In developing this product our technology challenge was to formulate a low-viscosity (thin) oil which reduced friction in the engine, but had the same protective benefits of more viscous oil which produces a thicker protective film on engine parts.
Our solution was to use synthetic technology base oils with anti-wear boosters. The synthetic technology base oils are more resistant to thinning at high temperatures, while the anti-wear boosters act like microscopic springy balls that hold the metal surfaces apart, so reducing friction.
Shell Rimula R6 LME (developed for heavy-duty transport vehicles) is a synthetic technology, low-SAPS (Sulphated Ash, Phosphorous and Sulphur) oil, which is approved for long-drain application, by Daimler’s leading truck brand, Mercedes-Benz, and others. Low-SAPS is important because it means that Shell Rimula R6 LME is compatible with after-treatment devices (special equipment contained in the exhaust) that are needed to meet the latest exhaust emissions standards. It’s the most advanced heavy-duty engine oil yet developed by Shell and provides high protection even at the low-viscosity levels required for optimal fuel economy.
In combination with ‘fuel economy’ gearbox and axle oils, Shell Rimula R6 LME can help reduce the fuel consumption of heavy-duty trucks by up to 5% *. Independent testing has shown that changing to Shell Rimula R6 LME alone can provide up to 1.1% fuel savings versus a10W-40 oil**. And these savings also make a difference to the environment - a 1% fuel economy saving can equate to 1.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) saved per truck each year***. With more than 30 million commercial freight vehicles on European roads alone, big emission reductions are possible.
The Shell lubricants portfolio also includes products designed to increase energy efficiency for the car driver and industrial operator. For example, using Shell Helix Ultra low viscosity motor oils can improve a car's fuel efficiency and thereby reduce CO2 emissions. And in the industrial sector, gearbox oils such as Shell Omala HD can help machinery run more efficiently and reduce energy losses.
* Based on Shell testing in-house and with customers
** Independent testing at Technical University of Graz
*** Assumes mileage of 130,000km and 33L/100km
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