API Testing New Diesel Oil Categories, service category PC-12

API testing new diesel oil categories

American Petroleum Institute’s lubricants group has established a New Category Development Team to launch the test-development phase of what will be a pair of new API diesel engine oil categories. …the service category will be known as PC-12.

American Petroleum Institute’s (API) lubricants group has established a New Category Development Team to launch the test-development phase of what will be a pair of new API diesel engine oil categories.

While under development, the service category will be known as PC-12. It will lead to the release of two new specs for use in formulating engine oil. Then each of the new categories will get its own API service-symbol donut. Those new donuts — expected to be rolled out within the next five years – will go beyond the performance standards set by the last two diesel service categories announced by API in 2016: FA-4 and CK-4.

The Engine Manufacturers Association requested the development of a new category to help meet the demands of upcoming greenhouse gas and fuel mileage regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air R+

Sponsorship

“The request for first-licensing date from API is no later than Jan. 1, 2027, to coincide with the anticipated 2027 implementation date for EPA and CARB heavy-duty on-highway regulations, Harmening said. “This is similar to the PC-11 (the previous test category) licensing timeline that resulted in API CK-4 and FA-4.’’
EPA has said that by December it will “propose and finalize new stringent emissions standards to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) pollution from trucks starting in model year 2027.’’ This action will include an update of current GHG standards “to capture market shifts to zero-emission technologies in certain segments of the heavy-duty vehicle sector.”
Enjoying our insights?
Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with the latest industry trends and developments.
Stay Informed

The agency also noted it is working on even tighter new GHG emissions standards for heavy-duty engines and vehicles starting as soon as model year 2030.

“The EPA is always a big driver of category development,” Harmening said.

As with the twin categories birthed by PC-11 (CK-4 and FA-4), PC-12 will a produce a “C” subcategory (as in CK-4) that will maintain its backwards compatibility. A new “F” subcategory that replaces FA-4 will not need to retain backwards compatibility — engineer-speak for an oil formulation that is approved for use in all current vehicles.

Oil Viscosity: How Low Can You Go?

Development of the next “F” subcategory will look at further reductions in viscosity, as that will help engine builders meet tighter fuel economy targets.

“The ask is whether a new ‘F’ will call for even lower viscosity levels, perhaps moving down from Xw30 to Xw20,” Harmening said.

But retaining backwards compatibility for the “C” subcategory does not mean little will change for its next iteration. According to Harmening, developing a fresh “C” will consider the role of oil performance in engines using newer technology, such as elastomer seals, and the impact of the T-11 and T-12 engine-wear tests used during recent category developments.

Benefits From New Oil Categories

Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association, API Testing New Diesel Oil Categories

Overall, the Engine Manufacturers Association is calling for the PC-12 process to attain the following improvements:

Increased oxidation performance
New wear-test capability
Addition of lower viscosities
Improved aftertreatment capability
Expansion of elastomer compatibility

Among the potential benefits to diesel engines, Harmening said, are:

“Enabling new engine technologies that are expected to experience higher brake mean effective pressure and customer demands,” as well as accommodate anticipated regulations on extending useful life and warranty periods.
“Supporting requirements for fuel economy for certain engine models.”
“Supporting new elastomers used in modern engines.”

As for the years-long category development process itself, Harmening said that it will, as always, be a “collaborative effort” among engine makers, oil producers, additive suppliers, and testing operations.