FA-4
New engine oil categories making the grade
SANTA BARBARA, CA - A new generation of engine oils is in the North American market, passing a battery of tests developed for specific engine brands. But the work of convincing buyers about related features and benefits continues. The transition from CJ-4 to CK-4 and fuel-efficient FA-4 categories has essentially been seamless, says Dan Arcy, Shell Lubricants' global OEM technical manager, referring to formulas that were officially released in December. The chemistry was driven by ongoing calls for longer drain intervals, better fuel economy, lower emissions, and increasing horsepower, after all. And these are hardly the engine oils that have flowed through pumps in years gone by. Oxidation stability had to improve to handle higher under-hood temperatures. When oil oxidizes, it becomes acidic and thickens, Arcy explained during a media briefing in California this week. At the very least, that shortens potential oil drain intervals.
Shell unveils portfolio of next-generation oils
WASHINGTON, DC - Shell Lubricants has officially unveiled its engine oils designed to meet pending CK-4 and FA-4 oil categories that will play a key role in helping to support 2017 emission standards and improve fuel economy. Anxious buyers will even be able to tap into the benefits of T5 10W-30 CK-4 oils as early as this August, before the official December 1 rollout of the American Petroleum Institute oil categories.
