Over the years, there have been great changes in technology that have benefited the automotive industry.  The evolution of lubrication systems and combustion engines has been overwhelming.  Currently there are three different basic versions of the internal combustion engine: the gasoline engine (or the spark ignition), the diesel engine (or the compression ignition), and the gas turbine (or the continuous combustion).  Tests have shown that the Diesel compression-ignition engines are more fuel-efficient than the gasoline engines because compression ratios (or as the Exxon website states, ?the ratio of the volume of the combustion space in the cylinder at the bottom of the piston stroke compared to the volume at the top of the stroke?) are higher.  Gas turbines differ from typical internal combustion engines, because of a constant stream of hot gases that is directed at the blades of a rotor.  The air and fuel being pumped into the combustion chamber maintains the engine?s continuous combustion.

            Different lubrication systems have also been created to help these engines run to the best of their abilities.  According to Exxon?s definition, lubrication ?controls the friction and wear by introducing a friction-reducing film between moving surfaces in contact.  The lubricant used may be a fluid, solid, or plastic substance.?  Obviously, technology has brought us a long way from the time when engines and cars were first being invented.  Now we have several different techniques for applying the lubricants to the engines, such as boundary, centralized, circulating, force-feed, oil mist, and other such lubrication systems.

            The advancement in our nation?s technology from decades ago is devastating.  At this rate, one can only imagine where our society will be in another ten years from now.