• Mercedes-Benz, Iveco and DAF trucks demonstrate fuel economy savings
• Mobil Delvac 1 LE 5W-30 and Mobilube 1 SHC 75W-90 help optimise drivetrain performance
• Mobil Delvac synthetic lubricants can save truck operators money

BRUSSELS, Belgium — Palmer & Harvey, the UK’s largest delivered wholesaler, has reported an average fuel economy saving of 4.7 percent during a field trial using Mobil Delvac flagship synthetic engine and drivetrain lubricants, and Mobilube gear oils. The introduction of fully-synthetic, high performance lubricants, including Mobil Delvac 1 LE 5W-30 engine oil, has helped to improve the fuel economy of Mercedes-Benz, Iveco and DAF trucks.

The field trial was initiated as part of Palmer & Harvey’s ongoing commitment to improve its sustainability performance. At the company’s Dunfermline distribution centre, where approximately 50 HGVs travel an average of 65,000km per annum to service Palmer & Harvey’s customers throughout Scotland, four trucks were selected to test the performance of Mobil Delvac flagship lubricants.

Fully-synthetic lubricants replaced conventional mineral based products in the engine, transmission and rear axle of two Mercedes-Benz 1823 Atego trucks, one Iveco 180E23 and a DAF CF 85. Mobil Delvac 1 LE 5W-30 was used in the Mercedes-Benz and Iveco trucks, and Mobil Delvac 1 5W-40 in the DAF engine. Mobilube 1 SHC 75W-90 was used in the transmission and rear axle of all four vehicles.

Mobil Delvac 1 LE 5W-30 is a fully-synthetic high performance heavy-duty diesel engine oil that helps protect both the engine and emission system while providing long drain capability and fuel economy potential for modern diesel engines, including those fitted with Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF). Mobilube 1 SHC 75W-90 is a fully-synthetic, supreme performance commercial gear lubricant, suitable for total driveline application. Formulated using advanced base oils and an innovative additive system, Mobilube 1 SHC 75W-90 has been proven to deliver outstanding protection alongside fuel economy benefits.

Over a five month period, the fuel economy performance of the vehicles was monitored by Palmer & Harvey’s in-house transport maintenance team using an industry recognised Merridale fuel management system. Significant fuel economy benefits were achieved across all four vehicles, with the DAF, which travels over 100,000km per annum, demonstrating a 4.9 percent reduction in fuel consumption.

“As the UK’s largest delivered wholesaler, Palmer and Harvey constantly monitors and assesses our impact on the environment,” said Rhys Thomas, National Transport Manager, Palmer & Harvey. “Over the past year we have continued to improve our sustainability performance, ensuring we are doing all we can to reduce our impact on the world, without compromising on customer services or increasing costs. One example of this is the Mobil Delvac oil trial we have conducted at our distribution centre in Dunfermline.”

“The results reported by Palmer & Harvey demonstrate the significant benefits that could potentially be gained by using fully-synthetic, fuel-efficient lubricants in a vehicle’s engine and full drivetrain,” said Steve Crawley, UK & Ireland Commercial Vehicle Lubricants Manager, ExxonMobil Lubricants & Petroleum Specialties. “Other operators can also look to reduce their fuel bills by switching from conventional mineral oils to Mobil Delvac synthetic lubricants.”

New materials
We’ve been working on new sales material to support the Mobil Delvac brand. Take a look…
Mobil Delvac 1 Flagship Video

Mobil Delvac flagship products are a key part of the overall CVL product offering. These products offer great benefits and are a focus for 2011.

To this end, we have produced an animation to showcase the flagship brand. The video covers the full bumper-to-bumper offer and increases awareness of Mobil Delvac 1
flagship products.

Ask your Mobil Delvac representative for more information.

Mobil    Delvac    XHP    LE    sales    sheet

The Mobil Delvac XHP LE sales sheet has been produced to increase awareness of the new advanced engine and emission system protection.

The document offers an introduction to the product, and detailed information of the benefits offered by Mobil Delvac XHP LE.

Mobil

The pilot program for Mobil Delvac Champion has gone live in the UK and Poland and will run until March 2011. This is an incentive program that measures and rewards Distributor Sales Representatives for their outstanding commitment to the Mobil Delvac brand. The top performer will be named Mobil Delvac Champion and will win an exciting race day.

We’re looking forward to the results and full roll out across the Zone later this year.

2011 Exxon Mobil Corporation. The Mobil Delvac and ExxonMobil logotypes are registered trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries. The term “ExxonMobil” is used for convenience only and could refer to Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its affiliates as the case may be. Other logotypes and trademarks are the property of the respective owners.

Mobil Delvac Truck Simulator at Bavaria Moscow City Racing

In July 2010, the team in Russia promoted Mobil Delvac at Bavaria Moscow City Racing, Russia’s biggest consumer motorsports event. This star-studded event sees famous racing teams including F1 cars driving through Red Square in the centre of Moscow.

Using the Mobil Delvac Truck Simulator to promote brand awareness, the team used the opportunity to build relationships with key CVL media and collect consumer data via questionnaires.

Owner operators were invited to come along and enter the competition via leaflets, emails and SMS. The activity was launched on a promotional Mobil Delvac and featured in CVL publications. On the first day, there was a competition to find the fastest truck driver with a chance to win VIP tickets to sit in the grandstand and watch the cars the following day.

On the second day the Mobil Delvac Truck Simulator moved to the VIP zone for the VIP guests and CVL media to give it a try. This was also the perfect opportunity to announce the launch of the Mobil Delvac Club to the key CVL media that attended the event.

The results were impressive. Nearly 200 guests tried out the simulator over the two days and 3000 people registered on the promotional website. The site gained 2.4m views and nearly 60 different pieces of media coverage were achieved.

An excellent, high impact PR campaign with impressive tangible results.

NEW Simulator Branding for 2011

Official 3 day opening for EvoBus
EvoBus, Italy's premier City Bus network, held an official 3 day opening from the 16th to the 18th September which attracted around 1,000 visitors. The event included a national press conference and presentation event, during which EvoBus demonstrated their products and services. There was an exhibition area dedicated to their sponsors, where ExxonMobil representatives gave presentations to EvoBus Service Area Managers about the Mobil Delvac product line, with a focus on how Mobil Delvac can benefit EvoBus and introducing the Mobil Delvac Express concept. During the 3 days, EvoTV was on-hand to capture the whole event, and the footage was broadcast across big screens, showing interviews with EvoBus representatives and corporate videos. Thanks to all those involved for a successful event.

Mobil Delvac searches for Poland's strongest trucker
Now here’s a challenge with a difference.
In September, Mobil Delvac set about finding Poland’s strongest trucker in The Trucker Arm Wrestling Tournament. The event was only open to truck and bus drivers who in the first stage fought against a machine to win a place in the finals. All entrants received a pair of Mobil Delvac leather gloves and other prizes included satellite navigation systems, cameras and net books.

     Excellent Mobil Delvac 1 branding                                                  Fighting against the machine                                                           Fighting against each other!

The eight strongest truckers were then entered into Nemiroff World Cup 2010, a prestigious arm wrestling tournament held in Sopot on 5th and 6th November. Our truckers were up against the title defenders: the strongest left-handed arm wrestler, Denis Cyplenkov from Russia and the strongest right-handed arm wrestler, John Brzenka from USA.

Highlights from Russia
Once again, the team in Russia has been busy throughout their region, with a range of innovative and successful activities. Let’s take a look at a few of their recent highlights.

Ural
Our flagship Mobil Delvac 1 5W-40 product has been at great demand at KongorKhrom, part of Chelyabinsk Electro-metallurgical Plant in the Polar Ural region. Thanks to all involved in this new business success.

South
Over to the Sochi Olympic construction site, where a new customer has been acquired; DorozhnoTransportnaya Kompaniya (DTK) is one of the transportation companies
working over the site with quarry trucks (Tatra, Scania, Kamaz). Lubricants supplied include Mobil Delvac MX, MX Extra and XHP Extra. DTK have chosen to replace Shell products with Mobil Delvac.

Siberia
Team-work can really pay off! The CVL team, Distributors, and the supply functions in Novosibirsk, Vladivostok and Moscow came together to transport a container of Mobil
Delvac 1 SHC 5W-40 from Ulsan in Korea to our Omsk. This enabled a combined delivery to RUSAL (the world’s largest aluminum company) mining branch and optimization of stock at the Ulsan plant.

North West
A new Proof of Performance has been gained from SKK trucks in the Komi region. Syktyvkar operate a fleet of trucks including Scania, MAN and Maz vehicles. They have switched from Shell Rimula to Mobil Delvac and report reduced operating and maintenance costs as a result. Well done Mobil Delvac!

FER
A trial took place in the region of Terneyles with Iveco Trucks using Mobil Delvac 1 SHC 5W-40. Organised by our Distributor Dalmis, with supervisors from ExxonMobil
and Iveco AMT, the trial demonstrated excellent proof of performance. Oil drain interval was doubled to 800 hours instead of the recommended 400 - another amazing Proof of Performance for Mobil Delvac!

Are your fuel costs heavy duty?

Where does the fuel go?

Fuel is a leading operating expense for individual owner/operators and fleets. Approximately half of the energy produced from fuel is lost as heat; a further 15% is lost as
friction, leaving only about 35% of the energy for hauling. Although friction cannot be completely eliminated, there are ways to reduce friction and increase fuel economy. Within an engine, there are two types of friction: viscous friction and contact friction. Viscous friction is related to the thickness of the oil and includes the energy losses related to pumping and moving engine parts through the oil. Contact friction is a result of metal-to-metal contact which can be due to inadequate lubrication. A high degree of friction can lead to both engine wear and a reduction in fuel economy. The aim of this guide is to supply you with information to help you choose a balanced formulation that will provide engine protection with better fuel economy.

Figure A: Fuel Energy Breakdown  

How does friction affect fuel economy?
Friction is always present. However, there are times when friction has a greater impact on fuel economy and engine wear. Low temperature operation is one of those times. During cold engine start-up and stop-and-go driving your oil will be the most viscous. This can lead to a high degree of viscous friction and as a result, it can reduce fuel economy.

Another instance when friction has a large effect on fuel economy is when engine components rub against one another. This can occur during engine start-up if the oil is too viscous to be pumped or at high temperatures if the oil is not thick enough to keep engine components separated. Figure B shows the relationship between lubricant viscosity and friction. It illustrates that there is an optimal viscosity which minimizes overall engine friction by balancing contact and viscous friction

Can viscosity be controlled?
The challenge is to formulate a lubricant that will maintain the desired viscosity over a wide temperature range and over the course of the drain interval.

There are many different viscosity grades available and
the optimal grade is going to be different depending on the specific engine and operating conditions. However, in choosing a lubricant capable of maintaining an optimal viscosity over a wide temperature range, high viscosity index (VI) is a key parameter.
VI is a measure of how the viscosity changes with temperature. The viscosity of a high VI lubricant will not
change as much as the viscosity of a low VI lubricant when the temperature changes. This means that at low temperatures the lubricant will be less viscous, leading to better fuel economy relative to a low VI lubricant. At high temperatures, the lubricant will be more viscous giving a greater film thickness compared to a low VI lubricant. This could allow the use of a lower viscosity lubricant to enhance fuel economy while maintaining engine protection. Figure C compares how viscosity changes with temperature for a multigrade (high VI) and a monograde (low VI) engine oil.

Figure B: Engine Friction Curve

How much savings can I capture?
With regards to how your lubricant can impact fuel economy, the single most important parameter is viscosity control. Having the optimum viscosity at each operating condition will minimize overall engine friction and reduce fuel consumption.
 

For low temperature and stop-and-go operation there is the potential for up to 5% fuel savings. A multigrade lubricant with a low “W” grade could provide improved savings. For example, using a 5W-XX compared to a 15W-XX would provide a better chance at capturing the potential fuel savings. For normal operation, once the engine is warmed up, there is the potential for up to 2% fuel savings. A multigrade lubricant with a lower, hightemperature viscosity grade could provide improved savings. For example, using a XW-30 compared to a XW-40 would provide a better chance of capturing the potential fuel savings. Additionally, these two modes of fuel savings could be combined by using a SAE 5W-30 for even greater potential benefit.

Also, viscosity can increase over time because of lubricant break-down and contamination. Soot particles, contaminants, and by-products of oil break-down can lead to oil thickening. This can lead to reduced fuel economy and compromise wear protection. A lubricant must be specifically designed to resist thermal, oxidative, and soot induced thickening.

Figure C: Multigrade engine oils show less viscosity
change over temperature range
 

If an oil can maintain its original viscosity, there is potential for fuel savings of up to 5% over the course of an oil drain interval. Viscosity retention may have the largest influence on total fuel savings because it plays a role across all operating conditions. Although fuel economy is a major concern, it is also important to choose a lubricant that can provide excellent engine protection. Mobil Delvac 1 LE 5W-30 has been formulated to achieve optimised performance as demonstrated by it's 5W-30 viscosity grade designation and extended drain approvals.
 

Testing source: EMRE

New OEM approvals
Mobil Delvac XHP Extra 10W-40 has been awarded the coveted LDF-3 approval from Scania, the longest oil drain engine oil approval available from this major European heavy-duty truck manufacturer. This further improves the profile of Mobil Delvac XHP Extra 10W-40, which already enjoys several long drain approvals from a range of OEMs.

The new full profile is:

- MB-Approval 228.5/235.27
- MAN M 3277
- Volvo VDS-3/VDS-2
- MTU Oil Category 3
- Scania LDF-3/LDF-2; ZF TE-ML 04C

- ACEA E7/E4
- Renault Truck RXD
- DAF Extended Drain

- API CF
- Cummins 20072

Mobil Delvac XHP Ultra 5W-30 has long been a key part of Mobil Delvac's offer to Mercedes-Benz dealerships. This excellent product now has additional ACEA and MAN performance claims to significantly extend its application, so there are even more opportunities for customers to benefit from the excellent performance of Mobil Delvac XHP
Ultra 5W-30.

The new full profile is:

- MB-Approval 228.5/235.28
- MAN M3277

- ACEA E4

The Commercial Vehicle Show is approaching and Burke Lubricants is proud to say that ExxonMobil and Mobil Delvac will be presented there.

The CV Show takes place from the 24th to 26th of April at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. This year will be the 10th year running and is the largest road transport event in Britain. Thousands of guests attend the event that is described to be the most productive sourcing and selling occasion for the UK road and transport logistics industry.

Mobil Delvac has been recognised as the leader in heavy-duty specialised lubricants for the last 80 years. It’s used in commercial and utility vehicles. From heavy-duty oils to coolants, Mobil Delvac meets your needs and maximises your equipment life. You are welcome to come and meet Burke Lubricants Sales Director, Cormac Gillman, who will be at the ExxonMobil stand to speak about fuel economy savings and extended vehicle life.

Global CVL Team
In this issue we have a look at the career paths of two senior members of the Global CVL team.

Ray joined the former Mobil Research & Development Company in 1990 after receiving his B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Bucknell University. His initial assignments included Proof of Performance testing of U.S. Mobil 1 formulations, as well as working with the car manufacturers to obtain approvals on Mobil 1 engine oils. He also provided trackside, Mobil 1 technical support to
the Mobil 1 sponsored IndyCar and NASCAR race teams.

In 1995 Ray transferred to the North American Marketing and Refining (NAM&R) Division of Mobil Oil Corporation, where he assumed responsibility as an Assistant Product Manager for U.S. Automotive Lubes. Then, in 1998, Ray transferred into the NAM&R Sales division, where he was responsible for CVL sales to large U.S. Truck Fleets. Following this assignment, in 2000 Ray was transferred into the Americas Automotive Marketing department for ExxonMobil Lubes & Specialities (L&S). Here he was responsible for the development of marketing strategies and programs supporting Strategic Global Account factory-fill and service-fill programs in the U.S.

In 2002 Ray moved into the Americas Strategic Accounts Sales group, where he took on the role of Account Executive for North American factory-fill and service-fill lubricant sales to DaimlerChrysler and Ford. He then returned to ExxonMobil Research & Engineering in 2006, where he went on to lead the Passenger Vehicle Lubricants Team responsible for Mobil 1 Proof of Performance programs and OEM cooperative efforts.

Ray transferred into the L&S Technology Division in 2009, where he served as the Global Products Technical Advisor for Synthetic PVL products. Then, in 2010, he moved into the L&S Marketing Division, where he took over his current role.

Nathaniel was raised in Argentina and is married with an 18 year old son. He received his BBA degree in Management and Spanish from Evangel University in 1986 and began his career with Exxon in Houston, Texas in 1987.

Nathaniel held various analytical, supervisory, and managerial assignments for ExxonMobil while serving in a variety of increasing capacities in Controller’s, Treasurer’s, Fuels Marketing and Lubricants & Specialties. During this time he was assigned to Houston, Alaska, Coral Gables, Jamaica, Brazil, Pennsylvania, and Fairfax. Then in 2008, Nathaniel was named India Country Sales Manager for ExxonMobil Lubricants Private Limited leading the L&S business throughout all of India.

Nathaniel assumed his current position in December 2010. In this capacity, he manages the Mobil Delvac 1 and Mobil Delvac brands world-wide with a winning brand proposition of efficiently delivering value to truck and equipment owners through technology solutions and heavy duty specialisation.

Nathaniel has been an active sponsor of ExxonMobil’s involvement in Junior Achievement encouraging young people to further their education.

Dear Team

Welcome to the ninth edition of Momentum. In this issue we meet two senior colleagues of the Global CVL team and gain insight into their careers to date: Raymond McDonald, Global Marketing Advisor for CVL; and Nathaniel Hedman, Mobil Delvac Global Brand Manager.

We have some exciting product news and are pleased to announce new OEM approvals from Scania and Mercedes-Benz. We  also take an in-depth look at how selecting the correct lubricant can significantly improve fuel economy – an increasingly important issue for Owner Operators and Fleet Managers alike.

Plus, please make sure you read about Mobil Delvac’s search for Poland's strongest trucker – an innovative campaign that's boosting our brand advocacy in this region.

Remember, if there is anything you would like to see feature in future editions, simply click here to contact us or email tony.t.weatherill@exxonmobil.com and we’ll do our best to see that it is included.

Finally, thank you for your continued and enthusiastic support during 2010.

The Mobil Delvac brand goes from strength to strength due to your outstanding commitment.

We look forward to developing the Mobil Delvac brand even further in 2011.

Tony Weatherill

• HFAE - oil in water emulsions that have no more than 20 percent emulsifying oil
• HFAS -  synthetic aqueous fluids
• HFB - water in oil emulsions that typically contain 60 percent oil
• HFC - aqueous solutions of glycol and polyalkylene glycol thickener in water
• HFDR - anhydrous fluids that compose of phosphate esters
• HFDU -  synthetic anhydrous fluids other than phosphate esters, for example polyol esters and polyalkylene glycols

Flammability Evaluation
The fire resistance of fluids is usually measured in three ways:

1. The ignition of pressurized fluid spray (spray flammability test).
2. Ignition of a fluid when sprayed on a hot surface (hot surface ignition test).
3. The ignition of a fluid that has impregnated porous or wick type materials (fluid evaporation test).

Additionally, Factory Mutual developed the Spray Flammability Parameter and European Economic Community developed the ‘stabilized flame heat release’, otherwise known as the ‘Buxton Test’, through the Luxembourg Report. Both of these standards use spray ignition tests and calculations for the heat rate.

Care of EHC Fluids
HDFR fluids (the phosphate esters type) and triaryl phosphates are usually used in EHC systems. These fluids require special care and maintenance. Resistivity, metals, cleanliness, and the content of water, acid, chlorine, and mineral oil need to be monitored for optimum performance.

Phosphate esters are hygroscopic, which means they have the natural affinity to absorb water, but have poor hydrolytic stability, i.e. fluid can degrade in the presence of water. In the presence of water, phosphate esters can undergo hydrolysis reactions which can lead to increasing acidity, system corrosion and/or the erosion of sensitive components. Therefore the water content and Total Acid Number (TAN) need to be closely monitored frequently.

A high fluid resistivity, or low conductivity, is necessary to avoid electromechanical erosion of the valve spool when using servo valves. Low resistivity is usually found when the fluid becomes acidic through hydrolysis or is contaminated with chlorine compounds. Chlorine contamination can result from the use of chlorinated solvents and can cause servo valve erosion problems.

The mineral oil content needs to be monitored. An excess (more than 0.5 percent) can affect the air and foam release properties whilst higher than 4 percent reduces the fire resistance and oxidation stability. Minimizing particulate contamination is vital when fire tolerance servo valves are used. Servo valves are sensitive to abrasive wear and erosion from particulates and can lead to the loss of system sensitivity and control. Particulate contamination could also impact resistivity of fluid and lead to further erosion of valve components.

Phosphate Ester conditioning
Special conditioning methods need to be followed to maintain a suitable fluid condition. This can usually be achieved with an absorbent solid filter, such as Fuller’s earth, or activated alumina in combination with vacuum dehydrators and standard particulate filters. Fuller’s earth is used to strip acids and chlorides from fluid to maintain a low fluid acid number level (this should be below 0.2 mgKOH/g). Calcium, sodium and magnesium levels should also be monitored. An excess could indicate that the particulate filters need replacing.

Vacuum dehydrators can be used to maintain the low water content and remove entrained air in the fluid. Particulate filters are used to maintain particulate levels in oil. Cleanliness is reported according to the ISO classification (ISO 4406) of fluid. Usually two filters are required to prevent particulates from damaging or blocking the servo valve components.

Fluid Condition Monitoring
A meticulous program is required to maintain a long problem-free operation. The suggested schedule of a fluid analysis test is as follows:

• Viscosity at 40ºC – ASTM D445
• Water Content – ASTM D6304
• Mineral Oil Content
• Flash Point – ASTM D2155
• Auto-ignition Temperature – ASTM D2155
• TAN – ASTM D664
• Volume Resistivity – ASTM D1169
• Cleanliness
• Foaming Tendency – ASTM D892
• Air Release Properties – ASTM D3427
• Metals – ASTM D5185

The TAN, water content, particle contamination and volume resistivity need to be monitored monthly. The other properties can be monitored on a quarterly or semi-annual basis.

Material Compatibility
Special conditions regarding material compatibility need to be taken. Phosphate esters will soften some paints and therefore epoxy based paints should be used. It’s also not compatible with standard nitrile rubber seals and specialised seal materials should then be used. Care should also be taken when mixing different phosphate ester from different suppliers.

References

• “Current Standards for Certification of Fire Resistant Hydraulic Fluids Used in General Industrial Applications”, Fluid Power Journal Jan/Feb 2006 pp. 30-36.
• “Managing the Health of Fire Resistant Steam Turbine Electro hydraulic (EHC) EHC Control Oils”, Machinery Lubrication 2006
• Reolube Turbofluids Guide to their maintenance and use, Great Lakes Chemical Corporation Publication

Ideal for the full spectrum of hydraulic, gear, bearing, circulation system and heat transfer applications, Mobil SHC Cibus premium-performance synthetic lubricants offer enhanced safety and productivity benefits alongside energy efficiency potential. Mobil SHC Cibus Series oils are NSF H1 registered lubricants and comply with Title 21 CFR 178.3570 of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for lubricants with the potential for incidental food contact and are manufactured in facilities that meet the hygiene requirements of ISO 21469:2006. In addition to being manufactured in equipment where cross contamination is minimised, Mobil SHC Cibus Series lubricants are formulated to nut-, wheat- and gluten free and suitable under Kosher and Halal dietary law.

“Food and beverage processors are uniquely challenged not only with maximising equipment performance and boosting productivity, but also ensuring food safety,” said Rainer Lange, Mobil SHC Brand Advisor – Europe, Africa and Middle East, ExxonMobil Lubricants and Petroleum Specialties Company. “Mobil SHC Cibus Series lubricants are expertly formulated to help food and beverage processors meet their application-specific goals and provide valuable sustainability-related benefits, such as enhanced energy efficiency and extended oil drain intervals.”

Since their introduction, customers across Europe, the United States and Asia have reported extensive benefits from using the oils. A food manufacturer operating in China, reported energy savings of up to 4.3% when it upgraded its six oil-injected dual screw air compressors from mineral lubricants to Mobil SHC Cibus 32. The 4.3% savings claimed, would result in an annual power reduction of 22,170 kWh.

A manufacturer in Germany also reported energy savings of 3.4 percent by switching to Mobil SHC Cibus Series oils. ExxonMobil recommended converting to Mobil SHC Cibus Series lubricants to help address the issue of frequent unscheduled shutdowns as a result of a compressor overheating. After flushing the screw compressor’s lubricant system and replacing with Mobil SHC Cibus 46, the overheating issue was addressed, it was reported oil life doubled and energy savings of 58,000 kWh per year were realised.

The Mobil SHC Cibus Series for gear oil applications, is the latest ExxonMobil product to earn the official designation of an “Energy Efficient” industrial lubricant and will feature the company’s proprietary “Energy Efficiency” logo on packaging.

For more information about Mobil SHC branded synthetic lubricants, such as Mobil SHC Cibus, or any other Mobil-branded products and services, visit mobilindustrial.com.

Mobil, Mobil SHC Cibus and the energy efficiency design are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries.

* The energy efficiency design is a trademark of Exxon Mobil Corporation. Energy efficiency relates solely to the fluid performance when compared to conventional (mineral) reference oils of the same viscosity grade in circulating and gear applications. The technology used allows up to 3.6 percent efficiency compared to the reference when tested in a worm gearbox under controlled conditions. Efficiency improvements will vary based on operating conditions and applications.

About ExxonMobil Lubricants and Petroleum Specialties Company
ExxonMobil is a leading marketer of finished lubricants, asphalts and specialty products, as well as one of the world's largest suppliers of lubricant base stocks.

About Mobil Industrial Lubricants
The team behind Mobil Industrial Lubricants delivers advanced products to major industrial equipment manufacturers to protect their customers’ engines and machinery, helping to enable peak performance while improving energy efficiency. This dedicated work force focuses on delivering a reliable supply of high-quality lubricants through its strong distribution network while also providing technical application expertise to customers around the world.

30 IEN EUROPE N° 9 - September 2011

IEN EUROPE interviews Burkhard Busse

Equipment Builder Engineer at ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialties, Brussels

Getting Into Gear: Enhanced Productivity through Advanced Gear Lubrication
In an increasingly competitive marketplace, maximising productivity and reducing operating costs has never been more important. Recently, we had the chance to speak to Burkhard Busse, Europe, Africa, Middle East, equipment builder engineer from ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialties, about how choosing the right gear lubricant can improve operators’ bottom line and help provide companies with a competitive edge.

IEN: How crucial are gears in the day-to-day running of a plant?
Busse: In gear driven operations such as metals or paper mills, processing industries and manufacturing plants, industrial gears play a critical role in maximising productivity and reducing unscheduled downtime. Critical to the successful functioning of most industrial equipment, providing the necessary torque and rotational speed for machinery to operate effectively, the performance of industrial gears are fundamental to the productivity of an operation.

Even a failure of one gearbox can cause an entire production line to ground to a halt, which can be very expensive both in terms of loss of production as well as associated labour costs and replacement parts to get the operation back on-line.

Lubricants are the lifeblood of a gearbox, helping to reduce friction and provide long-lasting protection for the rotating, sliding and moving components of a gearbox. With the associated costs of gear related downtime, we are seeing a shift by manufacturing and processing industries towards high quality synthetic gear oils such as Mobil SHC Gear, which offer superior protection and performance compared to standard mineral-based industrial gear oils.

IEN: How is the design/development of current/future gearboxes impacting the requirements of gear lubricants?
Busse: Over the years, Equipment Builders (EB) have focused on developing new, more compact and efficient gearboxes that are capable of delivering even higher load capacities. Such improvements put additional stress on lubricants in terms of higher operating temperatures, faster speeds and heavier loads. These effects are compounded by the EB’s drive to reduce total life cycle costs for their products, which includes reducing oil volume while extending oil drain intervals.

To ensure lubricants meet the very latest requirements, leading lubricant suppliers such as ExxonMobil work closely with key EBs to ensure that its products are ideally formulated to meet the rapidly evolving gear designs and operation requirements. A good example of this approach in practice is the recently launched Mobil SHC Gear series of high performance fully synthetic gear oils. Mobil SHC Gear oils have been designed in close cooperation with leading EBs to ensure they operate effectively in the latest gearboxes. Based on extensive research and testing, Mobil SHC Gear oils demonstrate excellent wear protection for gears and bearings, enhanced resistance to micropitting fatigue, improved seal compatibility, excellent oxidation stability and outstanding viscosity behaviour in extreme temperature conditions, to ensure the latest industrial gears maximise their full performance potential.

IEN: How do operators select a gear oil which will help to maximise the performance of the gearbox?
Busse: While equipment is under warranty it is important for operators to select lubricants which have been approved/recommended by the EB to ensure the cover is not compromised. However, many EBs set the minimum requirements for an oil to operate in their equipment and companies can achieve signifi cant performance advantages by selecting lubricants which surpass these levels.

By using high performance industrial gear oils, companies can increase productivity and reduce unscheduled downtime by extending oil drain intervals and reducing component wear. In addition, as well as offering superior levels of protection, the latest synthetic gear oils such as Mobil SHC Gear can also help to improve energy efficiency of applications.

To help customers select the right lubricant for their equipment, ExxonMobil recently launched Looble, an online industrial product selector which provides customers with lubricant recommendations and application guidance based on specific applications and operating conditions across a wide range of industries. Included in the selector are a wide range of gears from leading manufacturers.

IEN: What are the performance advantages of a fully synthetic gear oil versus a conventional mineral-based oil?
Busse: Higher operating temperatures, faster or even slower speeds and heavier loads are just some of the challenges facing industrial gears today. While high-performance synthetic lubricants can perform in these conditions, conventional, mineral-based fluids really cannot deliver the same level of protection and operators need to look to upgrade to synthetic lubricants to help minimise unscheduled downtime and maximise performance.

Advantages of switching to synthetic gear oils such as Mobil SHC Gear oils include longer equipment life, excellent resistance to oxidation and protection against wear, extended drain-life, energy efficiency and high-temperature capability.

IEN: How can an advanced gear oil such as Mobil SHC Gear, offer energy efficiency potential as well as maintain superior protection?
Busse: Mobil SHC Gear’s high viscosity index and low traction coefficient combine to provide a significant reduction in energy consumption in many gear drives. In statistically validated laboratory tests and field trials, Mobil SHC Gear oils exhibited energy efficiency of up to 3.6 percent versus conventional oils, delivering considerable cost saving benefits to organisations.

As well as its energy efficiency potential, Mobil SHC Gear has a balanced formulation and has been developed to offer exceptional performance in all the critical areas required to keep a gearbox working efficiently. This includes outstanding gear and bearing protection as well as excellent oxidative stability, seal compatibility, rust and corrosion protection and foam control. Only by selecting oils which have a balanced formulation can operators look towards maximising productivity.

IEN: What advice can you offer to ensure a successful switch from a mineral to synthetic gear oil?
Busse: The recommended steps for switching gear oils depends on the application, the condition of the lubricant and the gearbox and how much time is available. Where possible, we would recommend carrying out a full drain and flush on the equipment. If the oil is not in a good condition, we would recommend flushing the system two-to-three times. The general rule is to get as much of the mineral oil out of the gears as possible before making the switch - that way you will get the maximum performance out of the synthetic lubrication.

IEN: How can engineers monitor the performance of a gearbox and gear oil?
Busse: In order to help maximise gearbox productivity and reduce costs, operators should incorporate an oil and equipment condition monitoring programme alongside the use of high quality gear lubricants. As part of routine maintenance, the “health” of the lubricant and the equipment itself should be regularly checked. Typically, it is advised that maintenance professionals perform quarterly oil analyses and annual system inspections.

The oil analysis should include a measurement of chemical condition, fluid viscosity, water content, particle count and dissolved metals to determine how well the system is operating. Examining changes in the oil analysis data over time, also known as ‘trending’, is necessary to assess the condition of the lubricant. By trending oil analysis data, it is possible to proactively address undesirable conditions before they become problems.

For equipment maintenance professionals who want an effective oil analysis programme, there is ExxonMobil’s proprietary online Signum oil analysis system. Signum oil analysis offers engineers immediate access to and direct control of their lubricant sampling programme.

Beyond oil analysis, visual system inspections should be conducted regularly to check and
document the condition of the gear box. Inspection data can be used to establish the optimum time to perform maintenance on critical components such as the gear teeth. Comprehensive leak detection should also be performed, especially if excessive oil usage is noted during a routine system inspection.

IEN: Mr Busse, thank you very much for the interview.

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Evaluations were conducted at Millbrook Proving Ground in the UK. Two Volvo GM 440 Series Euro 5 trucks were used and loaded to 75% of their Gross Vehicle Weight, circa 33 tons. Two Iveco Eurocargo 75E16 EEV Euro 5 trucks were also used and loaded to 50% of their Gross Vehicle Weight, circa 6.2 tons. Mobil Delvac 1 LE 5W-30 was used in the engine, Mobilube 1 SHC 75W-90 was used in the rear axle and Mobil 1 SHC 75W-90 and Mobil Delvac Synthetic Transmission Oil V30 was used in the transmissions. Fuel savings were found and combined with extended vehicle life, fleet operators will receive the competitive edge.

Mobil Delvac is a fully synthetic high performance heavy duty diesel engine oil. It protects both the engine and emission system, provides long drain capability and fuel economy potential for modern diesel engines, including those fitted with Diesel Particulate Filters (PDF). Mobilube 1 SHC 75W-90 is a fully synthetic, supreme performance commercial gear lubricant that is suitable for total driveline application. Formulated using advanced base oils and an innovative additive system, the oil provides outstanding protection and fuel savings.

“With fuel costs continuing to rise and fleet operators looking to extend the vehicle life of their trucks, it’s a win-win situation when operators switch to advanced, fuel efficient lubricants throughout their drivetrains,” Steve Crawley said. He is the UK & Ireland Commercial Vehicle Lubricants Manager at ExxonMobil Lubricants & Petroleum Specialities. “Alongside proven fuel economy benefits of Mobil Delvac drivetrain lubricants, the superior performance of synthetic lubricants provides extended engine and component protection, which may enable truck operators to cost effectively extend the running-life of their fleet.”

ExxonMobil Lubricants and Petroleum Specialities Company is a leading marketer of finished lubricants, asphalts and speciality products and is one of the world’s largest lubricant base stock providers. Burke Lubricants (Wicklow) is a Mobil Strategic Lubricant Distributors in Ireland.
 

*Price quoted subject to exchange rate fluctuations saving base £1,270.

**Price quoted subject to exchange rate fluctuations saving base £45,977.

This article was adapted from the “Mobil Delvac Drivetrain Lubricants Achieve Fuel Economy Savings” article in Fleet Transport magazine, March 2012.

• Bearings with a fitting and a drain

The lower drain plug needs to be removed and cleaned out of hardened grease and wiped clean. Pump grease into the fitting until the old oil comes out and new oil appears. If it’s safe and possible, run the machine throughout the cleaning process. Running it at operating temperatures allows the grease to expand and force out the old oil. Clean the drain plug and reinstall it.

• Bearing with a fitting and no drain

If it’s safe, remove the fitting whilst the machinery is still running. The fitting then needs to be cleaned and replaced. A limited amount of grease must then be pumped into the bearing to prevent the grease seal from rupturing. Remove the fitting again and allow the machine to run for a few minutes to purge it of the old grease. If no grease comes out, the bearing is dry. Repeat the previous steps and pump grease until old grease appears. Reinstall the fitting.

• Bearing with a relief-type fitting and no drain

Clean the fitting and pump grease into the bearing until grease is relieved from the relief fitting. If grease doesn’t come out after a considerable amount of pumping, the relief slot may be plugged. Remove the relief fitting and clean the slot or replace the fitting with a new one, then repeat the cleaning and pumping process. Run the equipment at operating temperatures to check for excess grease at the relief fitting.

Precautions to be Aware Of
Excess grease and dirt needs to be cleaned up from the bearing and the surrounding area. This acts as an insulator and prevents heat dissipation. Procedures need to be followed closely, especially when there are electric motor bearings concerned. Where there are hard soap deposits, flush the bearing housing with hot oil from a grease gun. All old oil must be purged before machinery operation is continued.

Danger signs such as excessive noise, vibration and high temperature are signs of improper bearing operation. Condition monitoring instruments can also be used to detect problems quickly. Proper vigilance of operations will go a long way in the bearing maintenance process.

Wind turbines are highly engineered, sophisticated machinery that mainly operate in harsh environments. The main gearbox is the pivotal component of the turbine and therefore needs extra attention and correct lubrication.

To maximize the lifespan of the gearbox in a wind turbine, the gear oil should offer long term gear and bearing protection, excellent oxidation stability, rust and corrosion protection and have exceptional filtration capabilities. The correct oil can extend the lifespan, reduce downtime and maintenance costs, and improve productivity.

When choosing a lubricant, there are different requirements such as weight restrictions that require protection against micro-pitting and scuffing. Lubricant property retention as well as long term protection against aging is also important. Oil filtration capabilities under dry and wet conditions is critical, as is the flow ability of the oil at low temperatures and the anti-wear capability at high temperatures. Off-shore applications also need to have rust and corrosion protection against salt water.

Mobil SHC XMP 320 lubricants are engineered for the lubrication of the main and ancillary gearbox and meet the demands of wind turbine applications. In the past ten years, this lubricant has been used in over 30,000 wind turbines worldwide. The lubricant must perform well on multiple dimensions to meet the demands of wind turbine gearboxes. The Mobil lubricant offers outstanding anti-wear and load carrying properties, provides long term protection against rust and corrosion, superb filterability and water tolerance. These characteristics are what make Mobil SHC XMP 320 the product of choice for the wind power industry.

Lubricant advances have seen the extension of equipment life and oil drain intervals. High quality, synthetic lubricants like the Mobil SHC range offer benefits that mineral oils cannot. Synthetic lubricants are the best option, as they can hold their own in severe operating conditions, such as hot temperatures, heavy loads and high pressures. The Mobil SHC 639 series of lubricants are designed to provide long-term equipment protection, oil life and problem-free operation.

The Mobil Industry Lubricants are also working with India's leading cement company, ACC Ltd, as they are struggling with ID spindle bearing failures and significant downtime. Mobil engineers suggested using Mobil SHC 100. The anti-wear and extreme pressure grease is primarily recommended for higher speed applications where reduced frictions, low wear and long service is required. The solution resulted in the bearing running for 1000 consecutive hours and a huge saving.

Zhujang Cement in China also benefited from Mobil's assistance. Due to increased product capacity, the operating temperature of bearings increased from 50ºC to 90ºC. The engineers recommended upgrading to Mobil SHC 460 synthetic grease. This grease is engineered to exceed requirements for severe applications operating at extreme temperatures. The solution increased productivity, therefore increasing savings. The full range of Mobil products aim to reduce energy cost and environmental footprints. The Mobil SHC 600 series high performance gear oils can reduce power consumption of some gearbox applications by up to 8% compared to mineral oils.

Mobil's recent development, SHC Pegasus, is a high performance natural gas engine oil created to support cement companies using natural gas operations. It optimises equipment and protection; it also maximises productivity and reduces cost by incorporating oil and equipment condition-monitoring programs to work with high quality lubricants. Oil analysis should include fluid viscosity measurement, water content, dissolved metals and a particle count to show how well the system is working. Oil analysis over time is called trending and is crucial to assess the condition of the lubricant. By trending oil data, it is possible to identify and address problems before they occur. A visual system inspection should also be conducted regularly, as well as comprehensive leak detection.

Ultimately, cement manufacturers gain an edge by investing in high quality lubricants and associated services to help achieve corporate goals.

Approximately half of fuel-produced energy is lost as heat and 15% lost as friction which leaves 35% for hauling. There are ways to decrease this friction which improve fuel economy. There are two types of friction: viscous and contact. The viscous friction relates to the thickness of oil and the energy lost from pumping and moving engine parts through it. Contact friction results from metal-to-metal contact which can occur from inadequate lubrication. A high degree of friction could result in engine wear and a decrease in fuel economy.

Friction is always present. Operations at low temperatures are when friction has a greater impact. Cold engine start-up and stop-and-go driving results in oil being most viscous and can result in reduced fuel economy. The fuel economy can also be affected when engine components rub against each other, causing friction. This sometimes occurs if the oil is too viscous to be pumped during the start-up or if the oil isn't thick enough to keep engine components separated at high temperatures.

The solution is to formulate a lubricant that maintains desired viscosity over a range of temperatures and throughout the course of drain interval. The optimal viscosity grade will depend on the specific engine and operating conditions. A high viscosity index (VI) is a measure of how the viscosity changes with temperature and a key parameter when choosing the lubricant. The higher the VI, the less variance in the viscosity of the lubricant caused by changes in temperature. Lubricants will be less viscous at a low temperature which leads to a better fuel economy relative to a low VI lubricant. A higher temperature lubricant will be more viscous and thicker compared to a low VI lubricant. This could allow the use of lower viscosity lubricant to enhance fuel economy and maintain engine protection.

The most important parameter in fuel economy is viscosity control. Optimum viscosity reduces fuel consumption and minimises engine friction. With low temperature and stop-and-go operations there is the potential of up to 5% in fuel savings. A multi-grade lubricant with a "W" grade could improve those savings even more. For example, to save fuel use a 5W-XX as opposed to a 15W-XX. This could result in up to 2% fuel savings for normal operations. A multigrade lubricant with a lower high temperature viscosity grade could improve that. For example, use a XW-30 compared to a XW-40. To combine the two modes of fuel saving use a SAE 5W-30.

Additionally, over time the viscosity can increase due to lubricant breakdown and contamination. Oil thickening can result from contaminants, soot particles and by-products of oil breakdown. This will reduce the fuel economy and decrease wear protection. The lubricant must therefore be designed to resist thermal, oxidative and soot induced thickening. If the oil maintains its original viscosity, there will be fuel savings of up to 5% over the course of oil drain intervals. Viscosity retention may have the biggest impact on fuel saving.

It is very important to choose a lubricant that will provide long-term engine protection. Mobil Delvac 1 LE 5W-30 is formulated to achieve optimal performance as shown by its 5W-30 viscosity grade and extended drain approvals. It is a fully synthetic supreme performance heavy duty diesel engine oil that extends engine and emission system life. It provides long drain capability and fuel economy potential for modern diesel engines, including those with Diesel Particulate Filters. This oil is recommended for use in heavy-duty applications and operating environments found in on-road transport and off-road mining, and construction and agricultural industries.

Mobil 1 is a synthetic lubricant and therefore delivers sustained excellent performance at low temperatures, including start-ups in sub-zero temperatures. This reason is why more OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) are choosing Mobil 1 over other oils. This is the oil that has gone through tough testing in cold temperatures and still performed. A range of compact cars, using Mobil 1 oil, were put into a Cold Chamber and required to perform at temperatures of -30ºC. The oil could still offer sufficient lubrication, fast flow to engine parts, minimal wear in start-up and overall protection throughout the cold temperatures.

Testing like that led to Nick Baggarly choosing to use Mobil 1 on his 16 month world trip. Baggarly is the director of the non-profit group, Drive Around the World and from the San Francisco Bay Area. His team experienced temperatures below -30ºC in places like Alaska and Siberia and the vehicles still maintained excellent performance.

These kind of performances make Mobil 1 the standout oil to use in cold temperatures.

Mobil SHC Gear series offers the potential for improved energy efficient benefits over many gearbox applications and shows energy savings of up to 3.6% versus conventional oils in statistically validated laboratory tests*. This can translate to valuable cost savings for both plant and procurement management.

The Mobil SHC gear series' high oxidation resistance allows oil life to extend up to six times compared to standard mineral gear and bearing lubricants, especially when operating at elevated temperatures. Backed by extensive research and testing, the Mobil SHC Gear oils also demonstrate great water-handling properties, enhanced resistance to micropitting fatigue, improved seal compatibility and shear stability.

Mobil SHC Gear lubricants feature the most advanced technology so that industrial customers can reduce their equipment downtime, decrease maintenance costs and increase productivity. The Gear fluids also exceed most of the specifications by other major industries and OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) for industrial gearbox applications.

*Energy efficiency relates solely to the fluid performance when compared with conventional reference oils of the same viscosity grade in gear applications. The technology used allows up to 3.6% efficiency compared with the reference when tested in a worm gearbox under controlled conditions. Efficiency improvements will vary based on operation conditions and application.

Enogex, one of the largest natural gas transmission and midstream services in the U.S., has conducted field testing using the Mobil SHC Pegasus. It was discovered that the engine ran for more than 16,000 hours without drain, whereas a regular oil change occurs every 3,000 hours. The engine parts were in excellent condition, there was minimal wear, and minimal 'sludging' carbon deposits.

Another field test showed an energy saving of 1.5%. Mobil Industrial Lubricants has been working closely with three of the biggest OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) in Europe and the US, conducting proof of performance field testing with each OEM. Mobil SHC Pegasus optimizes equipment productivity and protection.

It was one of the first gas engine oil formulations to deliver real energy saving potential. Extensive independent university laboratory and field testing has taken place and demonstrates that using Pegasus reduces fuel consumption up to 1.5%.

The oil delivers increased oil drain intervals for more than 16,000 hours as opposed to 3,000 or 4,000 for conventional oil. Field tests have also taken part on older gas model engines. There was next to no 'sludging' or carbon deposits, and up to 4 to 8 times longer oil drain intervals. There are also additional products in the Pegasus range. The Mobil Pegasus SR is a high performance gas engine oil specifically formulated for the lubrication of modern, medium and high-speed four cycle engines operating on aggressive gases typically containing siloxanes where high wear or scuffing is an issue. Mobil is confident Pegasus is applicable to all natural gas engines, and can deliver significant benefits to engines regardless of the model.

Lubricating oils play a very important role in the smooth running of food machinery such as mixers and conveyors. The risk is that leakage may occur and get into or on the food. With that comes huge pressure on the food processing sector to minimize that risk of contamination. If contamination does occur, product has to be recalled, there are public notices, negative publicity and potential litigation. It could destroy a brand. 

Contamination risk can be reduced by using appropriate food registered machinery lubricants. High quality lubricants for food machinery should meet legislative and regulatory requirements and customer needs. It should also be fit-for-purpose and show high performance. The U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) manages a list of the components that are allowed in food machinery lubricants. These lubricants are specially formulated with base oils and additives that comply with FDA requirements. These approved base oils and additives have advanced with time and shouldn't affect the performance of the lubricant. The lubricant formulation then needs to be submitted to the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) which then reviews the data and checks FDA compliance. If the submission is successful, the lubricant will be allowed to use the NSF logo on their packaging and labels. An NSF H1 label means that the lubricant is "suitable for use where incidental contact may occur between the lubricant and food". HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) also help manufactures recognize high risk areas where leakage can occur. 

The risk before final delivery to customers also needs to be reduced by having a robust process used to control blending, transportation and packaging. Customers are choosing more factories that are using food registered lubricants throughout the factories to minimize contamination risk. ExxonMobil offers a range of NSF H1 registered lubricants based on synthetic base oils. These oils add benefits of longer life, lower maintenance costs and potential energy savings compared to conventional oils. These lubricants can be used above and below processing line, which reduces inventory and risk. The Mobil lubricants not only help customers reduce risk if contamination occurs but also ensure maximum performance and longevity of equipment. 

Mobil-branded NSF H1 registered food lubricants comply with the FDA listing, are multi purpose and offer outstanding performance. Backed by over 100 years of industry experience and expertise in lubrication, the new Mobil SHC Cibus Series oils for food machinery are specially formulated to help maximize productivity, ensure food quality, and provide high-performance lubrication for a variety of food processes, including meat, dairy, baked goods, beverage, brewery, pet food, sugar, pharmaceuticals, and grain. Mobil SHC Cibus Series lubricants that include compressor, hydraulic, and gear oils, together with the Mobilgrease FM Series and Mobil SHC Polyrex Series of greases and other Mobil-branded lubricants, have been designed for the diverse range of operating conditions found in the food processing industry. These conditions range from extreme freezing and baking temperatures to frequent high-pressure washdowns, and hot, corrosive atmospheres.

The Mobil SHC Cibus Series of colorless food machinery lubricants is formulated for food products destined for many global markets and is manufactured for use in Halal and Kosher (Parve) food preparation. It has also been specifically designed to comply with your Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) planning schedules, a globally accepted systematic risk-management approach to food safety.

Mercedes-Benz will now use Mobil lubricant for factory fill for all new Sprinter vans running on Diesel. And for service fill, Mobil Delvac will be the lubricant of choice. The decision strengthens the existing relationship between the two companies and will undoubtedly lead to manufacturing and engineering advances for everyone involved.

The factory fill lubricant is a low ash 5W-30 formulation lubricant that has been approved against MB-Approval 225.11. The service fill lubricant has gone through rigorous testing with Mercedes-Benz and will be one of the first 5W-30 grade oils to be awarded with the prestigious MB-Approval 228.51 and the MB-Approval 228.5 accreditations.

The Mobil products were selected because of the performance at extreme low temperatures, which provides optimum cold-start protection. The engine is protected in even the coldest temperatures. The low ash formulations also protect emission systems while the lubricants maximise oil drain intervals and drive fuel economy potential.

It takes the concept of kitcars to another level. The artists used over 1500 bottles to construct the model, and the end result is an impressive piece of engineering. It's certainly the lightest car on the track. Perhaps it's a sign of things to come and in a not-so-distant future Lewis Hamilton will be winning races in a car constructed from recycled plasic.