Game changing FUEL ECONOMY SAVINGS with Qualube SUPER HD FE 5W30

Earlier this year, Witham Group, British lubricant manufacturers, launched the new Super HD FE 5W-30, updated with the latest specifications for Daimler and Volvo commercial fleets. This product is “the fuel economy game changer” and now, thanks to research from the additive company Chevron Oronite, testing has now proved that fuel economy is definitively improved using this product in heavy duty engines as opposed to traditionally recommended 10W-40 viscosity oil.

The recently published report concluded that in comparable tests, fuel economy improved by 1.31%

Fleet sizes of commercial vehicles of course vary in size but based on this increase and the following assumptions:

• 150,000 km Average truck annual mileage
• 11.5 mpg Average truck fuel consumption
• £1.10 Price of diesel per litre

Each truck would use 37,950 litres of fuel at a cost of £41,934. Applying the improvement in fuel efficiency of 1.31%, the same truck would use a reduced 37,459 litres of fuel – at a cost of £41,392 (491 litres less) saving £542 per truck. For commercial vehicle business owners with the following example size of fleet, there are the real cash savings potentially made, just by switching to this lower viscosity engine lubricant.

Potential savings achieved:

20 Vehicle Fleet:

• £542 x 20
• £10,840 pa

50 Vehicle Fleet:

• £542 x 50
• £27,100 pa

100 Vehicle Fleet

• £542 x 100
• £54,200 pa

120 Vehicle Fleet

• £542 x 120
• £65,040 pa

These savings are per year, so over a 3-year period, the saving from the oil switch would potentially be £195,120 for the largest vehicle fleet example.

Witham Group are big advocates of using the latest technology of low viscosity engine oils and suggest that a commercial lorry (truck) fleet owner should be looking at engine oil as a strategic tool—not just a maintenance item—because engine oil directly impacts fuel costs, vehicle uptime, engine life, and total cost of ownership. Here’s a breakdown of why it matters:

Fuel Economy = Major Operating Cost

• Fuel is typically the largest variable cost in fleet operations.
• The right engine oil, especially low-viscosity, fuel-efficient formulations, can reduce fuel consumption by 1–3%, saving thousands of pounds a year.
• For fleets burning thousands of litres per vehicle per month, this adds up to significant savings annually.

Engine Protection = Less Downtime

• High-quality engine oils reduce wear, prevent sludge, and extend engine life.
• This results in fewer breakdowns and lower maintenance costs, keeping trucks on the road and delivering goods.

Longer Oil Drain Intervals = Fewer Service Stops

• Modern synthetic oils with advanced additives maintain their properties longer.
• With proper monitoring (e.g., oil analysis), oil drain intervals can often be safely extended, reducing:
• Workshop labour
• Service downtime
• Parts and filter costs

Environmental and Regulatory Compliance

• Emission regulations (Euro VI, etc.) are stricter than ever.
• OEMs require specific oil types to keep aftertreatment systems (DPF, EGR, SCR) working effectively.
• The right oil helps maintain compliance and avoid fines or warranty issues.

Supports Warranty and OEM Recommendations

• Using OEM-approved engine oils ensures:
• Warranty protection
• Optimal performance from modern engine technologies
• Reduced risk of engine damage from incorrect oil types

Improved Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

• Engine oil affects more than just the engine:
• Better combustion = cleaner engine = fewer repairs
• Lower friction = less energy wasted = better performance
• Smart oil selection is a small investment that delivers big returns over the life of a lorry.
• Fuel-efficient, low-emission fleet operations appeal to customers and partners.
• Oil choices contribute to lower CO₂ emissions, supporting sustainability reporting and ESG targets.

HOW DO LOW VISCOSITY OILS ACTUALLY HELP SAVE ON FUEL ECONOMY?

Reduced Internal Friction

• Lower viscosity means the oil flows more easily through the engine.
• This reduces hydrodynamic drag between moving engine parts, such as pistons and crankshafts.
• Less resistance = less energy needed = better fuel economy.

Faster Lubrication at Startup

• Low-viscosity oils flow quickly at cold temperatures (e.g., during morning starts).
• This reduces engine wear and improves efficiency during the critical startup period.

Optimised for Modern Engines

• New-generation commercial engines are built with tighter tolerances and advanced technologies like turbocharging and variable valve timing.
• These engines are designed to take advantage of low-viscosity oils to reduce pumping losses and improve combustion efficiency.
• Compliance with Emissions & Fuel Standards
• OEMs (like Cummins, Daimler, Volvo) often recommend low-viscosity oils to meet EPA, Euro VI, or GHG Phase 2/3 fuel economy targets.
• Using OEM-approved low-viscosity oils supports warranty compliance and environmental goals.

Witham Group’s MD Nigel Bottom said: “For commercial fleet operators, fuel is one of the biggest line items in the budget. By simply switching to a high-performance, low-viscosity engine oil—like our OEM-approved 5W-30 formulations—fleets can see fuel savings of thousands of pounds a year, depending on duty cycle and operating conditions, without changing a single route, vehicle, or driver.

But it’s not just about fuel. These advanced lubricants are engineered to reduce engine wear, protect emissions systems, and enable longer oil drain intervals, which means fewer service stops and less downtime. In total, you’re looking at a lower total cost of ownership and improved vehicle reliability.

We are proud that our engine oils and other lubricants are thoroughly tested in real-world fleet conditions and approved by major OEMs. For fleet owners under pressure to reduce costs while meeting tough emissions targets, the right engine oil is a low-risk, high-impact decision that delivers both immediate and long-term ROI.”

To find out more about how Witham Group’s products can help with your fuel economy, or if you would like a FREE technical lubricant survey carrying out on your fleet to look free of charge at your oil usage and product rationalisation, please contact www.withamgroup.co.uk