Method for improving engine performance with renewable lubricant compositions

Abstract

Provided herein are lubricant compositions comprising renewable base oils as embodied by hydrocarbon mixtures with controlled structure characteristics in combination with lubricant additives that address performance requirements and stricter environmental and fuel economy regulations. The lubricant composition provides performance in the cold crank simulated viscosity (CCS) vs Noack volatility relationship, which allows for the formulation of lower viscosity engine oils with improved fuel economy, improved fuel economy retention, and retained LSPI prevention additionally conferring improved characteristics to other devices or apparatus requiring lubrication.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of improving fuel economy comprising lubricating an internal combustion engine with a lubricant that comprises:
 a. (a) a mixture of base oil having at least 25 wt. % renewable base oil comprising a hydrocarbon mixture in which:
 i. the percentage of molecules with even carbon number is ≥80% according to FIMS; 
 ii. the BP/BI≥−0.6037 (Internal alkyl branching per molecule)+2.0; 
 iii. on average there are 0.3 to 1.5 5+ methyl per molecule; 
   b. at least one of the following additives
 i. dispersants 
 ii. detergents 
 iii. Inhibitors 
 iv. Friction Modifiers 
 v. Pour Point Depressants 
 vi. Viscosity Modifiers 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lubricating oil composition comprises from about 5 wt. % to about 30 wt. % total additive concentration and from about 70 to about 95 wt. % of the base oil mixture. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a lubricating high temperature high shear viscosity less than 2.3 cP, based on ASTM D5481. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a lubricating kinematic viscosity at 100° C. less than or equal to 7.1 cSt, based on ASTM D445. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a lubricating low temperature cold cranking viscosity at −35° C. less than or equal to 6200 mPa·s, based on ASTM D5293. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lubricating composition has a lubricating SAE viscosity grade less than or equal to 0W-12, based on SAE J300. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fuel economy is improved by at least 0.3% and preferably more than 0.5%. 
     
     
         8 . A method of improving fuel economy retention comprising lubricating an internal combustion engine with a lubricant that comprises:
 a. a mixture of base oil having at least 25 wt. % renewable base oil comprising a hydrocarbon mixture in which:
 i. the percentage of molecules with even carbon number is ≥80% according to FIMS; 
 ii. the BP/BI≥−0.6037 (Internal alkyl branching per molecule)+2.0; 
 iii. on average there are 0.3 to 1.5 5+ methyl per molecule; 
   b. at least one of the following additives
 i. dispersants 
 ii. detergents 
 iii. Inhibitors 
 iv. Friction Modifiers 
 v. Pour Point Depressants 
 vi. Viscosity Modifiers 
   wherein the lubricating oil composition comprises from about 5 wt. % to about 30 wt. % total additive concentration and from about 70 to about 95 wt. % of the base oil mixture.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the composition has a lubricating high temperature high shear viscosity less than 2.3 cP, based on ASTM D5481. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the composition has a lubricating kinematic viscosity at 100° C. less than or equal to 7.1 cSt, based on ASTM D445. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the composition has a lubricating low temperature cold cranking viscosity at −35° C. less than or equal to 6200 mPas, based on ASTM D5293. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the composition has a lubricating oil SAE viscosity grade less than or equal to W-12, based on SAE J300. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein typical drain interval fuel economy loss is less than 0.5%, preferably less than 0%. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein extended drain interval fuel economy loss is less than 0.4%, preferably less than 0%. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the average fuel economy loss is less than 0.5%, preferably less than 0% throughout the life of a lubricant. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein there is an improvement in fuel economy retention and a retention in low speed pre ignition prevention in an internal combustion engine operated over an extended period of exposure of the lubricant to elevated temperature conditions.