Heavy-duty engine oil will now be specified as CK-4 and FA-4.
As previously reported by OATS, the American Petroleum Institute's (API) specification for truck and other heavy-duty engine lubes was set to change as the sector continues to strive for improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.
Now, the API has finally approved the specification changes, according to Lube Report, with products being marketed under the "API CK-4" and "API FA-4" labels. The former allows backward compatability with existing heavy duty engine oils in the category - such as CJ-4 specified products. The FA-4 spec will be available for engines produced from next year onwards.
The split was approved by a ballot of the API's Lubricants Group and included confirmation of the use of labelling alongside the API logo, the wording of the API's 1509 licensing and certification document and date from which licencees are allowed to use the new specification - namely 1 Dec 2016.
According to the 1509 wording, reported by Lube Report, “API Service Category CK-4 describes oils for use in high-speed four-stroke cycle diesel engines designed to meet 2017 model year on-highway and Tier 4 non-road exhaust emission standards as well as for previous model year diesel engines."
As for FA-4, this applies to "certain XW-30 oils specifically formulated for use in select high-speed four-stroke cycle diesel engines designed to meet 2017 model year on-highway greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards."