Kolman’s Komments: There are differences between CK-4 & FA-4, you know

The first licensing of the American Petroleum Institute’s CK-4 and FA-4 heavy duty diesel engine oils – formerly known as PC (proposed category) 11A and B – began on Dec. 1, 2016.

The new categories improve upon existing standards by:

- Providing enhanced protection against oil oxidation.

- Protecting against engine wear, particulate filter blocking and piston deposits.

- Protecting against degradation of low- and high-temperature properties.

These new categories resulted from several years of collaboration between engine manufacturers, oil marketers and additive suppliers, according to officials at American Petroleum Institute (API). The new engine oil standards have also been developed to meet new government regulations and ensure engine oil performance.

API (www.api.org) is the only national trade association that represents all aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry.

Key Differences

CK-4 engine oils are, basically, a direct replacement for the engine oils now being used and are “backwards compatible” to all current vehicles.

The new FA-4 engine oils, offered in lower viscosity grades, are designed primarily for next-generation engines to help maximize fuel economy without sacrificing engine protection. These oils have limited backwards compatibility.

CK-4 vs CJ-4

CK-4 vs CJ-4                                  CK-4 vs CJ-4 CK-4 provides improved protection against when compared CJ-4

Oil oxidation                                     Oxidative thickening

Viscosity loss                                    Viscosity loss

Particulate filter plugging                  Particulate filter blocking

Catalyst poisoning                            Catalyst poisoning

Engine wear                                      Engine wear

Soot-related viscosity increase          Soot handling properties

Degradation of low- and high-temp properties              Low- and high-temp stability

FA-4 vs CJ-4

FA-4 vs CJ-4 FA-4 meets CK-4 limits                      So when compared to CJ-4

Oil oxidation                                                                 Oxidative thickening

Viscosity loss                                                                Viscosity loss

Aeration

Particulate filter plugging                                              Particulate filter blocking

Catalyst poisoning                                                        Catalyst poisoning

Engine wear                                                                  Catalyst poisoning

Piston deposits                                                              Piston deposits

Soot-related viscosity increase                                      Soot handling properties

Degradation of low- and high-temp properties               Low- and high-temp stability

FA-4 is blended to HTHS (high temperature high shear) viscosity range of 2.9cP‒3.2cP to assist in reducing GHG emissions, and it’s not backward compatible, says API.

Hope this information helps.