ILMA Compoundings August 2016 - 24

VOICES & VIEWS

The Risk of Confusion
Ferrick said one of the biggest challenges is ensuring oils are
properly labeled and that consumers know which oils to use.
"API is modifying the API mark that is on licensed diesel engine
oils," Ferrick said, adding that the FA-4 donut is different from
the traditional mark API has always used. "We did that so we can
make it easier for consumers to find the right oil. We don't want
to see an FA-4 oil used where CK-4 is recommended."
Larry Kuntschik, a consultant for ILMA, said education is
important for service technicians. "The people who do the oil
changes have to be fully informed about what the individual
trucks are recommending," he said.
To minimize consumer confusion, API has launched an
educational and social media campaign and created the website
www.newdieseloil.com. "We haven't had to do that in the past,"
Ferrick said, adding that one of the things API will focus on in
particular is reminding consumers that they need to check with
their engine manufacturers. "They need to make absolutely
certain they are using the oil recommended for their engines."

Industry Challenges
FA-4 will require a separate tank system, which could be a
challenge for operators that are already pressed for tank space,
Kuntschik said. "CK-4 is a replacement for CJ-4, so it will go in
the same tank and you'll discontinue your CJ-4. The FA-4 has to
go into a separate system. It has a different shear level and has
different applications," he explained.
One benefit, Kuntschik said, is that no heavy-duty engine
manufacturers are recommending FA-4 yet. "The demand for
the FA-4 will be fairly minimal," he said, adding that "because
demand will be slow, some ILMA members may purchase an
FA-4 product from someone else and rebrand it without having
it in their manufacturing facilities."
Ferrick expects engine manufacturers to start recommending
CK-4 the day it is released, but CJ-4 will still be available. "It is a
global standard, and not all regions will upgrade to the highest
standard. You keep others around so there is a quality system
in place that ensures even the older categories are meeting the
quality requirements," he said.
Haffner said distributors will carry old and new products to
manage the transition period. "As a reminder, it took about
four years to fully transition from API CI-4 plus to API CJ-4. We
do believe this transition will be quicker, but it will not happen
overnight," he said.

Another difference is that unlike the API CJ-4 category, there is
no phosphorus waiver with the new categories. That means that
universal oils meeting API CK-4 or FA-4, as well as API S claims
for fleets that encompass both diesel and gasoline vehicles, will
require separate oil formulations, Paterson said.
Fleet customers often like a simplified process and just use
one oil, Leiter said. "For the ILMA member company that has a
universal oil, this becomes a challenge," he said.

Increased Stock Keeping Units (SKUs)
The new category will likely increase the number of SKUs
users will be carrying. "The increase will occur because of the
introduction of two different categories of oils, each carrying
multiple viscosity grades within each category," Ames said.
New chemical limit rules are also being imposed that place
restrictions on the types of heavy-duty oils that can be used in
gasoline passenger car applications, also known as universal oils.
"These new rules could increase SKUs as the industry develops
both first intent heavy-duty diesel engine oils and universal
heavy-duty diesel engine oils," Ames said.

New Industry Tests
The latest changes will also result in two new tests - the Volvo
T13 and the Caterpillar Oil Aeration Test - which Ferrick said is
not uncommon.
Testing of the new category of engine oils has been ongoing
for many years. "For example, Afton has been conducting real
world on- and off-road field testing for over four years using
CK-4/FA-4 oils. Field testing is critical in the development
of new heavy-duty engine oil chemistries as it ensures that
performance and durability can be realized outside of the lab
and in the real world," said Cory Koglin, OEM manager, heavyduty engine oils for Afton.
Lubrizol has been developing API CK-4 and FA-4 technology
and formulations already with over 50 million miles of
accumulated real-world service, in both on- and off-road
engines. "This ensures real-world durability and performance,
giving confidence of performance additives and polymer
solutions within the lubricant from the first day the licensing
comes into force," Paterson said.

Long is a freelance writer and editor based in the Bay Area of
California. She may be reached at mindy@mindylong.com or
925-750-7163.

Vol. 66 No. 8 * 24 * August 2016 Compoundings
http://www.newdieseloil.com
ILMA Compoundings August 2016

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