New API engine oil service categories

[Duke W.]

I was at Walmart last week and noticed that some brands have the new CK-4 primary service category and some are still CJ-4. The API and manufacturers state that CK-4 is "fully backwards compatible with prior C-categories." There is also a new FA-4 spec that I will get to shortly. I know many of you are hung up on brand names, but don't just blindly pull something off the shelf because it looks familiar. Verify the the "API donut" on the back carries a primary C-category, which will likely be CK-4 or CJ-4. The FA-4 is for new HD engines that should hit the road this year. They will be available only in xW-30 grades and the emphasis is on lower internal friction for better fuel ecomomy and less CO2. There will also likely be a reduction in "heavy metal" additives, which means less ZDDP. Other anti-wear additive will take their place, but I don't know if they are as effective. New HD engines will have detail internal design changes like bearings and rings to be compatible with FA-4. I have not yet found any detailed FA-4 specs from any manufacturer, so I don't know if they will be suitable for vintage engines with sliding surface valve trains or not, so stick with CK-4 or CJ-4. Next time I buy oil I'll buy the least expensive C-category oil I can find, as I usually do, regardless of whether it's CK-4 or CJ-4. Just make sure you don't buy FA-4 for now.

[Patrick H.]

Re: New API engine oil service categories

I have not yet found any detailed FA-4 specs from any manufacturer, so I don't know if they will be suitable for vintage engines with sliding surface valve trains or not, so stick with CK-4 or CJ-4. Just make sure you don't buy FA-4 for now.

Short answer - no.

I visited a Shell display at an event last year, and the FA-4 does not have enough ZDDP and is not for vintage engines. The in-depth explanation did give numbers too. I don't recall the number exactly, but 800 comes to mind. It is made for new design diesel motors only.

Patrick

[Ray G.]

Re: New API engine oil service categories

Thank You Duke

[Francis F.]

Re: New API engine oil service categories

I was at Walmart last week and noticed that some brands have the new CK-4 primary service category and some are still CJ-4. The API and manufacturers state that CK-4 is "fully backwards compatible with prior C-categories." There is also a new FA-4 spec that I will get to shortly. I know many of you are hung up on brand names, but don't just blindly pull something off the shelf because it looks familiar. Verify the the "API donut" on the back carries a primary C-category, which will likely be CK-4 or CJ-4. The FA-4 is for new HD engines that should hit the road this year. They will be available only in xW-30 grades and the emphasis is on lower internal friction for better fuel ecomomy and less CO2. There will also likely be a reduction in "heavy metal" additives, which means less ZDDP. Other anti-wear additive will take their place, but I don't know if they are as effective. New HD engines will have detail internal design changes like bearings and rings to be compatible with FA-4. I have not yet found any detailed FA-4 specs from any manufacturer, so I don't know if they will be suitable for vintage engines with sliding surface valve trains or not, so stick with CK-4 or CJ-4. Next time I buy oil I'll buy the least expensive C-category oil I can find, as I usually do, regardless of whether it's CK-4 or CJ-4. Just make sure you don't buy FA-4 for now.

Duke, thanks for the up-date....Francis

[Stuart F.]

Re: New API engine oil service categories

Guess I best check the latest jugs I bought "blindly" off the shelf. I did notice the design of the container changed, but thought nothing of it at the time. Maybe have to return it soon as I was about to do an oil change this next week. Finally got our medicals under control here in Houston today, so looking forward to get back together in Orlando with my baby.

Stu Fox

[John L.]

Re: New API engine oil service categories

Gents
I noticed that Ford is now recommending that Ford Diesel owners not use CK-4 because "company testing of some of those formulations revealed accelerated engine wear on some 6.7 liter engine components.....". I 'm not sure if this isn't just a marketing ploy because their "new spec" CK-4 with WSS-M2C171-F1 spec is ok (or use CJ-4/SN they say, but CJ-4 will be phased out by end of 2017).
Spring is oil change time and I plan to use CJ-4 but now I am wondering if I should buy some extra CJ-4 rather than move to CK-4 next year??
What is so different about CK-4??

[Duke W.]

Re: New API engine oil service categories

I'm still working of figuring out the differences between CK-4 and CJ-4. It involves searching for spec sheets on CK-4 from the manufacturers, which don't seem to be on the Web yet, but anybody can do that. If you have any concerns about CK-4 buy a couple of years supply of CJ-4.

[Joe R.]

Re: New API engine oil service categories

Hi Duke,

So once the dust settles will you be updating your fine engine oil article? Hint, hint.

Joe

[Duke W.]

Re: New API engine oil service categories

There's not much to update since the API and all the major manufacturers say that CK-4 is fully "backwards compatible" with prior C-categories back to CH-4. They also claim greater oxidation resistance and lower wear rates, and it appears than some new anti-wear additives are included to supplement ZDDP. I'm still looking into this and can write a brief "update" when I'm done and send it to Vinny and the chapter newletter editors.

[Joe R.]

Re: New API engine oil service categories

Sounds great Duke!!!

[John S.]

Re: New API engine oil service categories

Duke,
I was at Walmart this past weekend. Their house brand is no longer can--4 or KC-4 compatible. Only diesel oils were and one Castro offering.

[Dick W.]

Re: New API engine oil service categories

I was at Walmart last week and noticed that some brands have the new CK-4 primary service category and some are still CJ-4. The API and manufacturers state that CK-4 is "fully backwards compatible with prior C-categories." There is also a new FA-4 spec that I will get to shortly. I know many of you are hung up on brand names, but don't just blindly pull something off the shelf because it looks familiar. Verify the the "API donut" on the back carries a primary C-category, which will likely be CK-4 or CJ-4. The FA-4 is for new HD engines that should hit the road this year. They will be available only in xW-30 grades and the emphasis is on lower internal friction for better fuel ecomomy and less CO2. There will also likely be a reduction in "heavy metal" additives, which means less ZDDP. Other anti-wear additive will take their place, but I don't know if they are as effective. New HD engines will have detail internal design changes like bearings and rings to be compatible with FA-4. I have not yet found any detailed FA-4 specs from any manufacturer, so I don't know if they will be suitable for vintage engines with sliding surface valve trains or not, so stick with CK-4 or CJ-4. Next time I buy oil I'll buy the least expensive C-category oil I can find, as I usually do, regardless of whether it's CK-4 or CJ-4. Just make sure you don't buy FA-4 for now.

Most likely the CJ-4 you saw on the shelf is actually CK-4. Most all the major producers started production of CK-4 by mid year 2016 but API licensing would not let them label it CK until Dec. 1.

DO NOT USE FA-4 in vintage engines. It does not have the additive package needed for sliding surfaces such as camshaft and lifters.

[Duke W.]

Re: New API engine oil service categories

Duke, I was at Walmart this past weekend. Their house brand is no longer can--4 or KC-4 compatible. Only diesel oils were and one Castro offering.

Your question comes across kind of garbled, John. On my recent trip to Walmart their Super-Tech house brand still listed CJ-4 as the primary (first listed) service category. Delo was CK-4, and I don't recall for Delvac and Rotella.

I didn't buy any, but if I did I would have bought the Super-Tech CJ-4 because it was the least expensive... $9.94/gallon.

Duke