The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has approved the PC-11 specifications and set a date.
Engine manufacturers will be able to use the new oils in the 2017 model year vehicles and equipment now that a 1 December 2016 date has been named for the oils to become commercially available.
As OATS previously reported, the new PC-11 category will be split into PC-11 A and B, the latter indicating lubricants with viscosities aimed at higher fuel economy. The American Petroleum Institute (API) is expected to give PC-11 the labels CK-4 and FA-4 (the fuel economy version) as part of its work on product identification, according to Lube Report.
During the next commercialisation period, oil manufacturers and their additive partners will complete product testing, including matrix and Viscosity Grade Read Across (VGRA)/Base Oil Interchange (BOI) work. The task of transitioning products for licensing will begin in December 2016, with documentation also needing to be revised to ensure alignment.
For OEMs and lubes producers, marketing will be key. To that end, OATS will be enhancing its EARL database and related products as new PC-11 specified equipment becomes available. Meanwhile, public awareness will also be critical and, to that end, Chevron has launched its PC-11 Public Education Campaign.