Witham drives fuel savings with Qualube Super HD FE 5W-30
British lubricant manufacturer Witham Group launched its new Qualube Super HD FE 5W-30 earlier this year, 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,” said Witham Group.
“The recently published report concluded that in comparable tests, fuel economy improved by 1.31 per cent.”
Based on this and assumptions of an average truck annual mileage of 150,000km, average fuel consumption of 11.5mpg and a price of £1.10 per litre of diesel, savings of £542 per truck are achievable, says the company.
Truck fleet owners 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, Witham Group contends.
“Fuel is typically the largest variable cost in fleet operations,” it said.
“The right engine oil, especially low-viscosity, fuel-efficient formulations, can reduce fuel consumption by 1–3 per cent, saving thousands of pounds a year.
“For fleets burning thousands of litres per vehicle per month, this adds up to significant savings annually.”
In addition, high-quality engine oils reduce wear, prevent sludge, and extend engine life, says the firm.
“This results in fewer breakdowns and lower maintenance costs, keeping trucks on the road and delivering goods.”
It continued: “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.”
With ever stricter emissions regulations, Witham Group adds, 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.”
Engine oil choice can also improve total cost of ownership (TCO), the company says; better combustion leads to cleaner engines and fewer repairs, while lower friction results in reduced energy wastage and improved performance.
“Smart oil selection is a small investment that delivers big returns over the life of a lorry,” it said.
“Fuel-efficient, low-emission fleet operations appeal to customers and partners. Oil choices contribute to lower CO2 emissions, supporting sustainability reporting and ESG targets.”
Witham Group further explained how low viscosity oils can help save on fuel economy: “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 results in reduced energy requirements, leading to fuel economy improvements, it says.
“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,” the company added.
“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.”
Witham Group’s managing director Nigel Bottom commented: “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.”
Readers can contact Witham Group for further information on how its products can assist with fuel economy, or for a free technical lubricant survey of their fleet.
