HOUSTON, Tex. – The American Petroleum Institute recently established new performance standards for its CI-4 category, requiring qualifying oils to handle soot better and improve shear control, in order to better perform with the 2002 EGR engines.

And oil companies have been quick to respond, saying their products already meet the new standards, scheduled for licensing Sept. 1. In July, both Shell and ChevronTexaco Global Lubricants announced their products already make the grade.

According to Shell officials, Shell Rotella T Multigrade 15W-40 heavy-duty engine oil already meets specs for the API CI-4, without any modifications to its current formulations.

So do Shell Rimula Premium SAE 15W-40 and Pennzoil Long-Life SAE 15W-40, say officials.

ChevronTexaco Global Lubricants officials made a similar announcement, also in July, that its Texaco Ursa Premium TDX, Ursa Super Plus and Chevron RPM diesel engine oils meet the upcoming CI-4 PLUS API specification.

And with July’s announcement, the company claims to be the first to announce that its full line of heavy-duty diesel engine oils meets the upcoming industry specification.

Both Shell and Chevron are claiming their oils will handle soot better and shear less in EGR engines.