ILMA Compoundings October 2016 - 25

NOTES FROM API

API Releases New Donut to
Differentiate FA-4 Oils
Kevin Ferrick

The approved user language for FA-4 is
provided below:

"These oils are blended to a high
temperature high shear (HTHS)
viscosity range of 2.9cP-3.2cP to assist
in reducing GHG emissions. These oils
are especially effective at sustaining
emission control system durability
where particulate filters and other
advanced aftertreatment systems are
used. API FA-4 oils are designed to

"Engine oils that meet the API Service
Category FA-4 designation have been
tested in accordance with the ACC
Code of Practice and may use the API
Base Oil Interchangeability Guidelines
and the API Guidelines for SAE
Viscosity-Grade Read Across.

The new Donut, bottom, features a
shaded section to differentiate API
FA-4 diesel oils from API CK-4 oils. The
API CK-4 Service Symbol Donut, will
look the same as the current API CJ-4
Donut. The shaded portion of the FA-4
Donut is shown in red, but it can be any
color or black and white. The important
design element that must be maintained
is the shading that differentiates the
FA-4 Donut from the traditional Donut.

SAE
10W-30

"API FA-4 oils are not interchangeable
or backward compatible with API
CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, and CH-4
oils. Refer to engine manufacturer
recommendations to determine if API
FA-4 oils are suitable for use. API FA-4
oils are not recommended for use with
fuels having greater than 15 ppm sulfur.
For fuels with sulfur contents greater the
15 ppm, refer to engine manufacturer
recommendations."
Put more simply, API FA-4 is intended
for use in truck engines designed to
meet 2017 model year on-highway
greenhouse gas emission standards.
The FA-4 Donut was developed to help
truck owners who need API FA-4 oils
easily recognize the oils and distinguish
them from CK-4 oils.

VICE C
SER
K
PI

-4

"API Service Category FA-4 describes
certain XW-30 oils specifically
formulated for use in select highspeed four-stroke cycle diesel engines
designed to meet 2017 model year
on-highway greenhouse gas (GHG)
emission standards. These oils are
formulated for use in on-highway
applications with diesel fuel sulfur
content up to 15 ppm (0.0015% by
weight). Refer to individual engine
manufacturer recommendations
regarding compatibility with API FA-4
oils.

provide enhanced protection against
oil oxidation, viscosity loss due to shear,
and oil aeration as well as protection
against catalyst poisoning, particulate
filter blocking, engine wear, piston
deposits, degradation of low- and
high-temperature properties, and sootrelated viscosity increase.

A

T

he American Petroleum Institute
(API) has introduced a special
Service Symbol Donut to help oil
marketers identify API-licensed diesel
oils that meet the recently approved
API FA-4 diesel engine oil standard.
Approved earlier this year, API FA-4 is
designed to protect the next generation
of diesel engines.

®

SAE
10W-30

®
API-licensed oil marketers may begin
using the API FA-4 and CK-4 Donuts
on their licensed brands beginning
Dec. 1, 2016. Most truck manufacturers

Compoundings October 2016 * 25 * Vol. 66 No. 10
ILMA Compoundings October 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ILMA Compoundings October 2016
