2018 OIL STUDY
OIL BRANDS AND PURCHASING TRENDS
CK-4 and FA-4 Implementation
Current understanding and adoption
Licensing of the American Petroleum Institute’s CK-4
and FA-4 heavy duty diesel engines oils – formerly known
as PC11A and B – began on December 1, 2016. The new
categories improve upon the existing standards by enhancing
protection against oil oxidation, safeguarding against
engine wear and protecting against degradation of low- and
high-temperature properties.
With the introduction of the new engine oils, some fleets
began implementing the oils into their operations. Of those
fleets, 85 percent note they have had no obstacles in using
the new engine oils.
(Respondents selected all that apply.)
23%
12 Fleet Maintenance | May 2018
While one-fourth of fleets introduced CK-4 oil for all
vehicles and another 23 percent implemented use of FA-4
for new vehicles entering their fleets, 38 percent of respondents
indicated they were unaware of the new oils altogether.
It is important to note 42 percent of the fleets surveyed
manage light duty vehicles, which the new oils are not marketed
to. Even so, of the heavy duty fleets, 28 percent were
also unaware, meaning there could be a need in the industry
for increased education and promotion.
The following infographics show if and how fleets are
adopting CK-4 and FA-4 into their fleets. -Vesna Brajkovic
and Stefanie Von Rueden
With the introduction of CK-4 and FA-4, how did you
introduce this new generation of oil into your fleet?
Have you encountered
obstacles in using
CK-4 and FA-4?
(Respondents selected all that apply.)
3%
25%
10%
9%
38%
1% 3% 4% 0%
7%
85%
The majority of respondents
did not encounter
obstacles when using
CK-4 and FA-4 oil.
Decreased
fuel efficiency
Increased
engine wear
Viscosity
breakdown
Increase in
oil change
intervals
Chemical
buildup
Other None of the
above
Adopt usage only
for new vehicles
entering the
fleet with FA-4
Use CK-4
immediately in all
vehicles since this
oil is backward
compatible
Test/monitor FA-4
in new vehicles
and gradually
begin using CK-4
in older vehicles
Other
I am not aware
of these new oils
and have not yet
started planning