Publication: The effects of oil change to the real-world fuel consumption for passenger cars under individual drive cycle
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Date
2024-07
Authors
Nur Atirah binti Mohd Rodzuan
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Abstract
The automotive industry encounters challenges when it comes to improving engine performance and fuel efficiency, notably in terms of engine lubrication and their impact on real-world fuel consumption. The importance of engine lubrication in enhancing vehicle longevity and reducing operational costs highlights the need of comprehending the relationship between oil change events, driver perceptions, and fuel efficiency. Despite the widespread utilisation of engine lubrication systems, real-world evidence examining the direct impact of oil changes on long-term fuel consumption patterns and subjective driver experiences remain limited. The aim of this study is to analyze the potential correlations between oil change events and variations in fuel consumption, while also exploring subjective impacts related to engine lubrication. The collection of data involved gathering long-term fuel consumption records and drivers' perceptions through structured Google Forms and in-depth interviews using mixed-methods approach facilitating a comprehensive analysis of engine lubrication effects on fuel efficiency and driver satisfaction. This study obtained significant correlations between oil change events and changes in real-world fuel consumption trends, with high-mileage vehicles showing a 6.7% average decrease in fuel consumption, and vehicles using synthetic oil demonstrating a 5.6% reduction. Initial claims that 84% of drivers reported having a smoother, more responsive drive after an oil change were substantiated. These findings demonstrate a critical need for regular oil changes to ensure better fuel economy and driver satisfaction. Future study might leverage enhanced data gathering methods, such as real-time monitoring devices and increasing the sample size to improve analysis accuracy and depth. This study sheds light on how oil change impact fuel efficiency and driver experiences through a structured data collection platform and interviews with selected participants. Thus, the valuable insights that can help improve vehicle sustainable practices can be unveiled.