ASTM D6837-02 - 10.11.2002
 
1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers an engine test procedure for the measurement of the effects of automotive engine oils on the fuel economy of passenger cars and light-duty 3856 kg (8500 lb) or less gross vehicle weight trucks. The tests are conducted using a specified 4.6-L spark-ignition engine on a dynamometer test stand. It applies to multiviscosity grade oils used in these applications.

1.2 This test method also provides for the running of an abbreviated length test that is referred to as the VIBSJ. The procedure for VIBSJ is identical to the Sequence VIB with the exception of the items specifically listed in Annex A13. The procedure modifications listed in refer to the corresponding section of the Sequence VIB test method.

1.3 The unit values stated in this test method shall be regarded as the standard. Values given in parentheses are provided for information purposes only. SI units are considered the primary units for this test method. The only exception is where there is no direct SI equivalent such as screw threads, national pipe threads/diameters, tubing size, and so forth.

This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.4 This test method is arranged as follows:

SubjectSection
Introduction
Scope1
Referenced Documents2
Terminology3
Summary of Test Method4
Significance and Use5
Apparatus6
General6.1
Test Engine Configuration6.2
Laboratory Ambient Conditions6.3
Engine Speed and Load Control6.4
Dynamometer6.4.1
Dynamometer Load6.4.2
Engine Cooling System6.5
External Oil System6.6
Fuel System6.7
Fuel Flow Measurement6.7.2
Fuel Temperature and Pressure Control to the Fuel Flow Meter6.7.3
Fuel Temperature and Pressure Control to Engine Fuel Rail6.7.4
Fuel Supply Pumps6.7.5
Fuel Filtering6.7.6
Engine Intake Air Supply6.8
Intake Air Humidity6.8.1
Intake Air Filtration6.8.2
Intake Air Pressure Relief6.8.3
Temperature Measurement6.9
Thermocouple Location6.9.5
AFR Determination6.10
Exhaust and Exhaust Back Pressure Systems6.11
Exhaust Manifolds6.11.1
Laboratory Exhaust System6.11.2
Exhaust Back Pressure6.11.3
Pressure Measurement and Pressure Sensor Locations6.12
Engine Oil6.12.2
Fuel to Fuel Flow Meter6.12.3
Fuel to Engine Fuel Rail6.12.4
Exhaust Back Pressure6.12.5
Intake Air6.12.6
Intake Manifold Vacuum/Absolute Pressure6.12.7
Coolant Flow Differential Pressure6.12.8
Crankcase Pressure6.12.9
Engine Hardware and Related Apparatus6.13
Test Engine Configuration6.13.1
ECM/EEC (Engine Control) Module6.13.2
Thermostat/Orfice Plate6.13.3
Intake Manifold6.13.4
Flywheel6.13.5
Wiring Harnesses6.13.6
EGR Block-Off Plate6.13.7
Oil Pan6.13.8
Oil Pump Screen and Pickup Tube6.13.9
Idle Speed Control Solenoid (ISC) Block-Off Plate6.13.10
Engine Water Pump6.13.11
Thermostat Housing6.13.12
Oil Filter Adapter6.13.13
Fuel Rail6.13.14
Miscellaneous Apparatus Related to Engine Operation6.14
Timing Light6.14.1
Reagents and Materials7
Engine Oil7.1
Test Fuel7.2
Engine Coolant7.3
Cleaning Materials7.4
Preparation of Apparatus8
Test Stand Preparation8.2
Engine Preparation9
Cleaning of Engine Parts9.2
Engine Assembly Procedure9.3
General Assembly Instructions9.3.1
Bolt Torque Specifications9.3.2
Sealing Compounds9.3.3
Harmonic Balancer9.3.5
Oil Pan9.3.6
Intake Manifold9.3.7
Camshaft Covers9.3.8
Thermostat9.3.9
Thermostat Housing9.3.10
Coolant Inlet9.3.11
Oil Filter Adapter9.3.12
Dipstick Tube9.3.13
Water Pump9.3.14
Sensors, Switches, Valves and Positioners9.3.15
Ignition System9.3.16
Fuel Injection System9.3.17
Intake Air System9.3.18
Engine Management System (Spark and Fuel Control)9.3.19
Accessory Drive Units9.3.20
Exhaust Manifolds9.3.21
Engine Flywheel and Guards9.3.22
Lifting of Assembled Engines9.3.23
Engine Mounts9.3.24
Calibration10
Stand/Engine Calibration10.1
Procedure10.1.1
Reporting of Reference Results10.1.2
Analysis of Reference/Calibration Oils10.1.3
Instrument Calibration10.2
Engine Load Measurement System10.2.1
Fuel Flow Measurement System10.2.2
Coolant Flow Measurement System10.2.3
Thermocouple and Temperature Measurement System10.2.4
Humidity Measurement System10.2.5
Other Instrumentation10.2.6
Test Procedure11
Preparation for Initial Start-up of New Engine11.1
External Oil System11.1.1
Flush Effectiveness Demonstration11.1.2
Preparation for Oil Charge11.1.3
Oil Charge for Coolant Flush11.1.4
Engine Coolant Charge for Coolant Flush11.1.5
Initial Engine Start-up11.2
Coolant Flush11.3
New Engine Break-In11.4
Oil Charge for Break-In11.4.2
Break-In Operating Conditions11.4.3
Routine Test Operation11.5
Start-Up and Shutdown Procedures11.5.8
Flying Flush Oil Exchange Procedures11.5.9
Test Operating Stages11.5.10
Stabilization to Stage Conditions11.5.11
Stabilized BSFC Measurement Cycle11.5.12
Data Logging11.5.13
BC Oil Flush Procedure for BC Oil Before Test Oil11.5.14
BSFC Measurement of BC Oil Before Test Oil11.5.15
Test Oil Flush Procedure11.5.16
Test Oil Aging11.5.17
BSFC Measurement of Aged (Phase I) Test Oil11.5.18
Aging Phase II11.5.19
Oil Consumption and Sampling11.5.20
BSFC Measurement of Aged (Phase II) Test Oil11.5.21
BC Oil Flush Procedure for BC Oil After Test Oil11.5.22
BSFC Measurement for BC Oil After Test Oil11.5.23
General Test Data Logging Forms11.5.24
Diagnostic Review Procedures11.5.25
Determination of Test Results12
FEI1 and FEI2 Calculations12.1
Used Oil Analysis12.2
Final Test Report13
Validity Statement13.1
Report Format13.2
Precision and Bias14
Precision14.1
Validity14.2
Test Stand Calibration Status14.2.1
Validity Interpretation of Deviant Operational Conditions14.2.2
Bias14.3
Keywords
Annexes
15

Annexes

Role of ASTM TMC

Annex A1
Detailed Specifications and Drawings of ApparatusAnnex A2
Oil Heater Cerrobase Refill ProcedureAnnex A3
Engine Part Number ListingAnnex A4
Flying Flush ChecklistsAnnex A5
Safety PrecautionsAnnex A6
Report FormatAnnex A7
Statistical Equations for Mean and Standard DeviationsAnnex A8
Oil Sump Full Level Determination Consumption Measurement Calibration ProcedureAnnex A9
Fuel Injector EvaluationAnnex A10
Pre-test Maintenance ChecklistAnnex A11
Blow-by Ventilation System Requirements
VIBSJ Abbreviated Length Test RequirementsAnnex A13
Appendix
Procurement of Test MaterialsAppendix X1
 
2. Referenced Documents

D6557-26

Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Rust Preventive Characteristics of Automotive Engine Oils

D6750-23

Standard Test Methods for Evaluation of Engine Oils in a High-Speed, Single-Cylinder Diesel Engine—1K Procedure (0.4 % Fuel Sulfur) and 1N Procedure (0.04 % Fuel Sulfur)

E29-22

Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications

E191-64(1999)e1

Standard Specification for Apparatus For Microdetermination of Carbon and Hydrogen in Organic and Organo-Metallic Compounds

J304

Engine Oil Tests

J1423

Classification of Energy-Conserving Engine Oil for Passenger Cars and Light-Duty Trucks

API?1509

Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System

ANSI?MC96.1-1975

Temperature Measurement - Thermocouples

D4294-24

Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum and Petroleum Products by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

D4485-24

Standard Specification for Performance of Active API Service Category Engine Oils

D86-23ae2

Standard Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure (Includes all amendments and changes 11/4/2024).

D235-22

Standard Specification for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum Spirits) (Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)

D240-25

Standard Test Method for Heat of Combustion of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels by Bomb Calorimeter

D287-22

Standard Test Method for API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Petroleum Products (Hydrometer/Method)

D323-26

Standard Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Products (Reid Method)

D381-25

Standard Test Method for Gum Content in Fuels by Jet Evaporation

D445-26

Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)

D525-12a(2025)

Standard Test Method for Oxidation Stability of Gasoline (Induction Period Method) (Includes all amendments and changes 12/24/2025).

D1319-25

Standard Test Method for Hydrocarbon Types in Liquid Petroleum Products by Fluorescent Indicator Adsorption

D2699-26

Standard Test Method for Research Octane Number of Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel

D3231-25

Standard Test Method for Phosphorus in Gasoline

D3237-22

Standard Test Method for Lead in Gasoline by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

D3338-08

Standard Test Method for Estimation of Net Heat of Combustion of Aviation Fuels

D4175-24e2

Standard Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants (Includes all amendments and changes 6/9/2026).