FLEET OWNER learned today that on December 4th, the ASTM Heavy Duty Engine Oil Classification Panel met and unanimously voted in the tests and limits needed to establish the new API CI-4 oil-service category. That vote was presented to the ASTM Subcommittee B on December 5th and as a result, the API CI-4 specifications are now official and part of ASTM D 4485.
API CI-4, which is “backward-compatible” with all previous API oil-service categories for diesel engines, was developed specifically to address the performance requirements of engines equipped with EGR to meet the stricter EPA emissions regs coming into effect next October.
The first licensed claim of meeting CI-4 (and thereby allowing the placing of that designation within the API “donut” on the label of oil cans) can be made by suppliers starting on September 5, 2002.