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New Diesel Engine Oil Specifications Arrive, and Are There Benefits of Aftermarket Oil Additives?
WRITTEN BY ROBERT T. PUDLEWSKI
2017 and beyond model-year school buses will set a new bar for diesel technology. Engine manufacturers have begun to create engines that are made from new materials, produce more horse- power and torque than ever, run much hotter, operate under higher fuel injector pressure, turbo boost pressure and can be modified at assembly to burn alternative fuels. Tese changes come in response to regulations that have mandated improvements in fuel economy and lowered limits for greenhouse gas emissions that the entire vehicle emits while performing the work cycle it was designed for. Tese advances are said to be beneficial for school bus owners, but they place new demands on diesel oil. And these demands come in addition to the ongoing requirement for increased engine protection. With school buses priced more than $100,000, saying that school districts and private contractors have a lot invested in their yellow fleet is an understatement. Soon many presentations at trade shows and dealer meetings about the new greenhouse gas regulations and the major changes coming to the diesel landscape beginning in 2017 through 2027 will likely inspire spirited discussions. Te good news, however, is that advances in diesel technology in response to GHG phase I & II regulations have already resulted in new diesel oil speci- fications, which promise improved engine protection, a contribution to fuel economy and emission reduction.
UPGRADED PROTECTION FOR OLDER & NEWER DIESEL ENGINES
Te last major oil formulation change took place more than
10 years ago to accommodate the changes in engine requirement for the 2007 emission standard. In meeting the demands of the newest GHG rule, diesel engines engine oils must offer increased protection and contribute to efficiency when compared to prior generations of oil technology. Tis added performance capability applies to older diesel vehicles as well as 2017 model-year and newer diesels. Te new category of oils, API CK-4 and FA-4, will include
protection upgrades that will hit the diesel oil market sometime this school year, between December 2016 and February 2017, depending on the oil brand.
CK-4 AND FA-4 SPECIFICATIONS WILL TAKE TWO SEPA- RATE PATHS GOING FORWARD
To meet regulations for increased fuel economy and reduced emissions, 2017 model-year diesels will have to rely on a combi- nation of engine technologies and unique oil technology. Specif- ically, these “next-generation oils” will be formulated with lower viscosities than currently used to meet the demand on engine performance for increased fuel economy and reduced emissions, all without sacrificing engine wear protection.
22 School Transportation News • OCTOBER 2016
API FA-4 Te American Petroleum Institute (API) has established its FA-4
performance specification exclusively for 2017 and newer diesels. Due to the oil technology needed to meet the engine design’s low-viscosity requirements, API FA-4 oils cannot be used in diesel engines made prior to 2017. It is anticipated that this new oil will be available beginning December of this year.
API CK-4 For some 2017 model-year and older diesels, where the engine manufacturer would not recommend the FA-4 specification, the API has established its CK-4 specification, a “Backward Compati- ble Formula.” Note that model-year recommendations are a guide- line; always be sure to check the manufacturers owner’s manuals for specific requirements. While the introduction of having to stock two new diesel oil specifications may initially complicate things, these upgrades will help school districts and contractors reduce maintenance costs and extend equipment life, which will help them to operate within budgets that demand peak reliability and efficiency. Contact your oil supplier as soon as possible to learn more and
how this will impact your oil supply program, inventory and cost. For the foreseeable future you should pay close attention to any change to the school bus manufacturers engine specific recom- mended oil requirement and change interval.
ARE AFTERMARKET OIL ADDITIVES OK TO USE IN SCHOOL BUS ENGINES?
It is said that there are currently more than 100 products on
the market that make claims of reduced engine wear, increased horsepower, improved fuel economy, etc. Just about any automo- tive or even general merchandise store will have multiple brands and varieties. I have often been asked this question and as a result have asked
CELEBRATING25YEARS
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