Why it’s important to test new engine oils
Last month, I mentioned that the North American Council for Fleet Efficiency (NACFE) recommended that fleets switch to the API FA-4 low viscosity lube oils immediately to save fuel and decrease (GHG) emissions. As stated by the report, viscosity is defined as a measure of a fluid’s internal resistance to flow. In a truck’s engine,
Are they compatible? Diving into the new engine oil categories
Change is coming to the heavy-duty industry in a big way. In February, the Proposed Category 11 (PC-11) engine oils were approved and two new diesel engine oils were born: API CK-4 and API FA-4. This December, those two oils will replace the traditional CJ-4 oils and bring along a host of benefits. There is
Chevron unveils Delo 400 API CK-4, FA-4 heavy-duty motor oils
Chevron Products Co. has unveiled its line of Delo 400 API CK-4 and FA-4 heavy duty motor oils coming Dec. 1. As part of its product rollout, Chevron will be launching a new advisor service created to help customers select the best products for them by assessing their business needs, analyzing their current lubricant choices
Fuel economy and new engine oils
Engine oil makers weigh in on the new oil formulations to help meet EPA improved fuel economy standards.
New heavy-duty engine oil categories are driven by regulation
When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced regulations in 2010 designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mandate fuel economy improvements for heavy-duty engines and vehicles, it set in motion a change to engine oil specifications. In turn, the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) requested that the
The future of heavy-duty filtering
To keep up to date with the new engine oil categories, increased emissions regulations and an ever-changing engine industry, Fleet Equipment (FE) caught up with Donald Chilton, vice president of product management for Wix, and Roma Fatima, lube product line manager for Cummins Filtration, to pepper them with filter-focused questions. FE: How do application and
Demistifying CK-4 and FA-4 oils: What you need to know about compatibility, and more
The most important thing that fleets need to know about CK-4 oils, according to Len Badal, global commercial brand manager for Chevron Lubricants, is that they are fully compatible, and there should be no concern if the two are mixed…
Fuels and oil: Finding truth in the noise
We live in a confusing age. Considerable information is available thanks to the internet, but there is no easy way of assessing its validity. Anyone can make a statement on the internet—and it is up to us to decide the truth of the statement. Let’s take a look at some recent claims that impact your
Fumoto releases SX-series engine oil drain valve
Fumoto has released the next-generation version of its SX-series engine oil drain valves, with new features. The new valves are comprised of two distinct yet fully integrated parts: the through bolt and oil-flow control body. The SX can rotate 360°, which allows orientation to achieve a smaller profile and maximum protection. The through bolt design can be
Shell Rotella updates portfolio to meet API CK-4 and FA-4 categories
Shell Lubricants has introduced a new portfolio of Shell Rotella heavy-duty diesel engine oils. New Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection 15W-40 and 10W-30 along with Shell Rotella T5 Synthetic Blend 10W-30 are formulated to meet the specification criteria for the new API CK-4 service category for diesel engine oil. New Shell Rotella API FA-4 oils
The skinny on low-viscosity oils
The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) has released its Confidence Report on low-viscosity oils. It begins with the premise that truck engine mechanical losses occur from pumping and friction and consume approximately 16% of the total energy input of the vehicle. Lower-viscosity oils (those with less internal resistance to flow) will reduce these
Corn-based ethanol: A case study in fuel follies
When I consider the renewable fuels legislative mess our states have created, I’m appalled. The lack of a coherent national energy policy has provided fuel (pun intended) for institutions as the Renewable Fuels Association, which is still trying to convince us that corn-based ethanol is a viable alternate fuel. We’ve also enabled state environmental agencies,