Latest heavy-duty oil performance requirements made official

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 13 via truckinginfo.com) — The newest API performance requirements for heavy-duty engine oils, CI-4, is now official.

Last week, the ASTM Heavy Duty Engine Oil Classification Panel unanimously voted in the tests and limits for the new classification. The new standards were developed to address the requirements of engines equipped with exhaust gas re-circulation to meet stricter EPA emissions regulations coming into effect in October 2002. However, the oil is still fine to use in all previous API oil service categories for diesel engines.

You won’t actually see the CI-4 standard in the API “donut” until Sept. 5, 2002, but you will likely see reports from oil companies noting that their oil meets the CI-4 requirements well before then. In fact, Chevron has announced that its Delo 400 Multigrade, introduced in November 1998, meets all the requirements of CI-4 without reformulation.