New Oil Classes

[Paystar]

API CK-4 oils will replace current CJ-4 engine oils and will be
backwards compatible with most applications in which CJ-4 is used
today. They all offer improved shear stability, oxidation resistance
and aeration control, the API claims.

API FA-4 oils will provide similar improvements, but are only intended
for use in newer on-highway diesel engines, API says. The organization
says technicians and end users will need to check their owners
manuals to determine which oil is most appropriate for their vehicle.

API developed two visually different API Service Symbol Donuts so that
consumers can easily distinguish between the two categories. The new
API FA-4 donut features a shaded section to differentiate API FA-4
oils from CK-4 oils. The API CK-4 donut will look the same as the
current CJ-4 donut.

 

[Copperhead]

Yeah, the FA-4 engines are not out yet. Spring '17 is when they should be rolling out. Everyone with a diesel already can just focus on the CK-4. FA-4 requires a significantly different bearing metallurgy and other changes. It has a significantly lower HTHS (High Temp High Shear), around 2.9, than CK-4 which has a minimum 3.5 HTHS like current CJ-4 oils (10w30 variety). From many comments I have seen from commercial engine makers, CK-4 will be allowed in a FA-4 spec'd engine, but FA-4 will not be allowed in any of the present engines. I am just going to ignore the FA-4 nonsense, as it is solely motivated by EPA fuel economy concerns. CK-4 does look promising though.

 

[Texasmark]

Question is your local oil source. Probably they will ensure that the Cxxx oils will remain on the shelf to support the millions of engines already out there. I'm not worried about supply and yes I too have read that the Fxxxx oils are not for existing engines. As stated, the usage circle will have a bright red quadrant in the circle clearly identifying it as the Fxxx oil.

 

[Paystar]

That's why I wanted to post.....hopefully stores stock both and don't just take the oil-is-oil approach.

We'll now have to pay attention to what we are grabbing.

 

[Copperhead]

That's for sure. I will bet that on top of the API burst symbol, there will be more bolder wording elsewhere. The lawyers will demand that.