Clean Snowmobile Facts
- CONCERNS
- National Parks
- Air Quality
- Water Quality
- Personal Exposure
- Other Concerns
- SOLUTIONS
- Engine Technologies
- Two-Stroke Engine Principles
- Two-Stroke Engine
Modifications - Four-Stroke Engines
- Electric Snowmobiles
- Fuels & Lubricants
- Oxygenated Fuels
- Biodegradable Lubes
- Low PM Lubes
- Clean Snowmobile Challenge
- What You Can Do
- REGULATIONS
- MONTANA ISSUES
Solutions - Low Particulate Matter (PM) Lubes
Overview
A number of manufacturers now make low particulate or low-emission engine lubrication oils. These are not to be confused with low-smoke or smokeless oils that may still have large amounts of particulate that cannot be seen.
Snowmobile engine emissions are of concern in environmentally sensitive areas such as Yellowstone National Park. Results of a study recently completed by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) will assist policy makers in determining which types of fuels, lubricants, and equipment are acceptable for use in national parks and forests. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality contracted with the Institute to determine potential emissions benefits of bio-based fuels and lubricants in snowmobile engines.
Emissions and fuel consumption were measured using a five-mode test cycle developed by SwRI from analysis of snowmobile field operating data. Results indicated that the use of gasohol (10 percent ethanol) reduced hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulates, but slightly increased NOx emissions, while maintaining equivalent engine power as compared to the reference gasoline in the tests. Also, it was found that particulate emissions could be reduced significantly with a low-smoke lubricant.
