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Cat DEO‐ULS moves to API CK‐4 in December 2016
Overview
A new oil formulation will be introduced for Cat DEO‐ULS. In December 2016, Cat DEO‐ULS will move
from the current API CJ‐4 formulation to a new API CK‐4 formulation. All CJ‐4 oils in the marketplace will
be making this transition to CK‐4. This change to CK‐4 was initiated by the Engine Manufacturers
Association (EMA) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA). The EMA and the TMA were both
looking for improved lubricant performance in low emissions diesel engines. Additionally there was a
request for lubricants with improved fuel efficiency, to address the needs of the on‐highway truck
market.
New Oil Categories CK‐4 & FA‐4
To meet these performance and fuel economy requests, two oil categories were developed: CK‐4 and
FA‐4. CK‐4 oils will directly replace CJ‐4 oils. Caterpillar will recommend CK‐4 oil in all engines where
CJ‐4 oil was recommended. The brand name Cat DEO‐ULS will be maintained for the CK‐4 formulation.
Since DEO‐ULS is available worldwide, the CK‐4 formulation will be distributed to all areas that currently
use DEO‐ULS CJ‐4.
CJ‐4 oils will not be marketed as a lower tier oil. However, Caterpillar will continue to market Cat DEO
CI‐4+ oil. DEO CI‐4+ may be used in lesser regulated diesel engines, up to Tier 3 emissions levels.
FA‐4 oils were developed to meet the fuel economy needs of select on‐highway truck engines. FA‐4 oils
will not be recommend by Caterpillar for any diesel engine applications. FA‐4 oils will only be sold as an
“X”W‐30 viscosity grade, (examples 0W‐30, 5W‐30).
Additional information is available from the Caterpillar fluids group in PEJJ0128. This marketing bulletin
uses a series of FAQs to explain the new CK‐4 category, and how it will be utilized by Caterpillar.
Additional information about CK‐4 oils in general can be found at the API web site, www.api.org. Also,
all of the major oil companies have CK‐4 information on their web sites.
Performance Improvements
CK‐4 oils provide performance improvements in three important areas: oxidation stability, aeration
control, and shear stability. These improvements were requested by the EMA to help low emissions
diesel engines with after‐treatment devices.
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Tier4 diesel engines may place additional stress on lubricants with higher operating temperatures and
increased power density. Additionally, there is need for longer oil drains to reduce waste and meet
market expectations. Longer oil drains and higher temperatures increase oil oxidation. Therefore, the
CK‐4 category now includes a full scale diesel engine test to measure oxidation stability. The Volvo T‐13
was chosen as the best test to measure the oxidation stability of heavy duty lubricants.
In the T‐13 test, oxidized oils are identified by an increase in FT‐IR oxidation results and by an increase in
kinematic viscosity. The chart above shows how CK‐4 oils outperform CJ‐4 oils with improved oxidation
stability. Both of the CJ‐4 oils showed a viscosity increases during the test. The CK‐4 oil did not show a
significant viscosity increase during the test.
Chemical Restrictions
There are no new chemical restrictions for CK‐4 or FA‐4. However, the limits for Sulfated Ash,
Phosphorus, and Sulfur, do carry over from CJ‐4. These are sometimes referred to as low SAPS limits.
The chart below shows the limits.
Parameter CJ‐4 CK‐4 FA‐4
Sulfated Ash 1.0%
Phosphorus 0.12%
Sulfur 0.4%
Phosphorus (P) is the only parameter that is measured with the standard testing done in an S∙O∙S
Services lab. Be careful when evaluating the P in the S∙O∙S lab. The calibrations for this value are usually
+/‐ 10%. Therefore, an oil may have a measured P value of 1320 ppm in the S∙O∙S lab, and still be within
the 1200 ppm limit when measured by the oil company.
Some oil companies may utilize formulations with 800 ppm of phosphorus. The 800 ppm P maximum
limit is part of the API SN category for gasoline engines. This phosphorus limit was established to
protect the exhaust after‐treatment catalyst on gasoline engines. CK‐4 oils with 800 ppm of P will be
able to claim CK‐4 / SN on the API donut. Customers with mixed fleets, (diesel and gasoline engines) can
use one oil to service both types of engines.
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Formulation Changes
To meet the requirements of the new category, most CK‐4 oils will exhibit a re‐balanced formulation.
Subtle changes to the concentration of Ca, Mg, Zn, P, B, Mo, and other elements, may be observed in
the CK‐4 oils. Since these oils are limited to 1% sulfated ash, there will not be big changes in these
element concentrations. As in the past, elemental analysis will have limited ability to identify oil
categories or oil performance level.
CK‐4 formulations may be rolled into current oils labeled as CJ‐4. CK‐4 oils meet all the requirements of
CJ‐4 oils, so an oil company may fill their CJ‐4 containers with a formulation that also meets CK‐4. In
December 2106, oil companies will be able to officially label their containers as CK‐4.
Interpretation of CK‐4 Oils
Wear metals, soot, and viscosity results will be very similar to values achieved with CJ‐4 oils. The only
significant change will be the new oil oxidation value. Preliminary studies indicate that CK‐4 oils may
exhibit a higher new oil oxidation value. The additives used to achieve improved oxidation have
changed the infrared profile of the new lubricants.
This increase in new oil oxidation is not new. Similar increases occurred when CJ‐4 engine oils were
developed. The chart below shows how new oil oxidation increased for Cat diesel engine oils.
Caterpillar Oil Typical New Oil
Oxidation ‐ UFM
DEO CI‐4+ 13
DEO‐ULS CJ‐4 16
DEO‐ULS CK‐4 21
This increase in new oil oxidation does not shorten the service life of CK‐4 oils. On the contrary, in
severe and long drain applications, CK‐4 oils will have longer service life. However, the S∙O∙S Services
guidelines for oxidation must be adjusted to account for the higher new oil oxidation value. This
adjustment to guidelines involves taking a sample of the new oil and measuring the oxidation. Adding
10 UFM to the new oil oxidation value provides the Monitor Compartment guideline. Adding 20 UFM to
the new oil oxidation value provides the Action Required guideline. The chart below shows these
guidelines applied to the Cat DEO formulations.
Caterpillar Oil Oxidation ‐ UFM
Typical New Oil Monitor Compartment +10 Action Required +20
DEO CI‐4+ 13 23 33
DEO‐ULS CJ‐4 16 26 36
DEO‐ULS CK‐4 21 31 41
Please be aware, all CK‐4 oils will not start out at 21 UFM oxidation. Also, the new oil oxidation value
will not be published on the product data sheet. The new oil oxidation value must be measured at a
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Caterpillar S∙O∙S Services lab with the UFM method. This adjustment to oxidation guidelines can be
done to all engine oils. The adjustment is not restricted to CK‐4 oils or to Cat branded oils.
Additional information will be provided by S∙O∙S Services regarding this enhancement of the
interpretation process. A more detailed explanation will be given, along with case history examples.
The Interpretation Training curriculum will also be changed in 2107 to address the oxidation
adjustments. Look for more information at this location on dealer.cat.com.
David Nycz
Caterpillar S∙O∙S Services
Global Service Excellence