My car requested an engine oil change!

Okay, well it didn’t really even say a word (Thank heavens), nevertheless it did certainly alert me that an engine oil change was expected! And I believe it.

In the old days, I would have been very tempted to stretch this a further 5,000 km, knowing that the engine oil change indicator used a formula primarily based on engine revs, time and mileage (Sometimes throttle opening time was also included) to determine the best time for an engine oil change.

Suffice to say, on-board car analysis techniques are getting more complex. But regrettably, the fundamental engine oil change suggestions provided by engine manufacturers have little to do with normal driving
conditions or vehicle conditions and are normally rather conservative to provide for the most detrimental-case scenario.

The consequence of a needless engine oil change

Early engine oil change results in millions of gallons of oil being needlessly changed each and every year. Then again, engine damage could possibly occur due to substantial viscosity changes, which would go undetected simply by changing lube at a predefined interval, recomended by the OEM.

To deal with some of these concerns, several major car manufacturers have publicly announced programs to include more sophisticated on-board oil change sensors, and hope to include oil health as a central performance parameter.

Engine designs have changed significantly in the last several years. EPA-mandated fuel developments have significantly transformed exhaust and blow-by components in engines, while Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) has transformed the functional performance characteristics with newer engine designs deploying this technology.

How will engine oil change intervals be effectively determined?

With real-time viscosity checking, the effects of engine design on the oil’s viscosity can be measured directly, supplying more data to engine designers and lubricant manufacturers. Due to its comparatively compact size (the SPC571 is typically installed with a ½-inch threaded fitting and has less than a 1-inch profile) this viscometer fits easily into the majority of engines. A larger version of the viscometer that can be plumbed with ¼-inch tubing to accept lubricating oil straight from the engine is also available for use in larger engines where remote mounting is required.

The device is used in steady-state engine tests as well as performance cycling tests. Because of its small stainless steel design, it quickly keeps track of changes in viscosity and temperature to within ±1 percent accuracy, the same accuracy that many lab instruments deliver using the prescribed ASTM D445 test procedure. What is more, it is unaffected by vibration or flow conditions making it perfect for engine or dynamometer applications.

Fuel system design for both diesel and gasoline engines can also benefit greatly from engine oil viscosity measurement. A number of of the most critical fuel economy specifics are difficult and costly to quantify. However, fuel dilution and combustion by-products formation can be easily detected by monitoring changes in the oil’s viscosity in real-time. Likewise, the benefit of small changes in design, working conditions or lubricant additive packages can be rapidly detected by monitoring the viscosity of the oil.

If implemented the cost effectiveness of using synthetic engine oil will be passed on to the end user by way of realistically extended engine oil changes.

Perhaps next year your car genuinely will ask for an engine oil change!