Fleet Maintenance - 25

FA-4 engine oils should only be used if directly
specified by the engine manufacturer.
"A frequently asked question is 'What is the
advantage of an API FA-4 10W-30 engine oil
compared to an API CK-4 10W-30 engine oil?'"
says Mark Betner, manager of lubricant national account sales, Citgo. "A basic explanation is
that when comparing the CK-4 10W-30 with an
FA-4 SAE 10W-30 engine oil, the FA-4 10W-30 oil
will provide increased fuel efficiency.
Modern engines tend to create greater
stress on the oil due to higher contact
gearing, which requires increased
viscosity stability and retention; and
some modern diesel engines tend
to cause greater oil aeration, which
requires greater air release properties
from the engine oils."
API FA-4 and CK-4 engine oil specifications are designed to provide better
oxidation resistance, shear stability,
and aeration control compared to CJ-4
engine oils, and improved high-temperature/high-shear (HTHS) viscosity,
according to Paul Cigala, CVL applications engineer, ExxonMobil Fuels
and Lubricants. "Specifically, FA-4 oils
offer lower HTHS viscosity than other
oil categories, enhancing fuel economy potential and saving fleets on fuel
costs," he says.
"A movement to lighter viscosity - like
5W-30, 10W-30, and specifically API
FA-4 quality type oils that are at the
lower end of those viscosity grades -
provide[s] this reduced energy required
to pump the [engine oil] through the
engine, while being designed with the
correct additives necessary to help
provide wear protection," says Arcy.
Viscosity grade does not dictate the
oil change interval, Arcy adds. This is
dependent on vehicle application, using
a general miles-per-gallon formula to
estimate the determined oil change
interval. Additional considerations are
total idle time, the number of engine
hours operated, and engine size. It is
important to note that a thorough oil
analysis program is integral to ensuring
the optimized life of an engine oil.
"Modern diesel engines operate
with reduced idle time and have
significantly reduced oil consumption even with increased oil change
intervals," Betner says. "Engine oil
change intervals have also changed
significantly over time which, depending on the severity of operation and
fuel consumption, some engine manufacturers recommend oil change intervals out as far as 75,000 miles in some
applications and operations. That's
three times around the earth at the
equator without an oil change."
Arcy also notes that heavy duty vehicles manufactured from 2013 and on
may also benefit from specifying a lower
viscosity engine oil than what's currently used. For instance, specifying an SAE

10W-30 engine oil viscosity grade, compared to the
traditional 15W-40 viscosity grade many fleets
use today.
It is important to note, fleets should adhere to
both the engine manufacturers recommended oil
change interval and oil viscosity recommendation. Fleets interested in exploring extended oil
drain intervals or a lower viscosity oil should work
with their engine manufacturer directly.

Additionally, the shift to synthetic blends and
full synthetic engine oils has helped with engine
operation in more extreme conditions.
"The synthetic [engine oils] can handle higher
temperatures and will not break down as rapidly.
The additives will not be consumed as quickly,"
explains Arcy. "The (synthetics) also will be in the
lower viscosity ranges, allowing for improvements
in cold-temperature flow and startup."

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Fleet Maintenance

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Fleet Maintenance