Cold Weather Recommendations for On-Highway Diesel Truck Engines Caterpillar

Note: For additional information, refer to Special Publication, SEBU6385, "Caterpillar On-Highway Diesel Truck Engine Fluid Recommendations".

Cat DEO (Diesel Engine Oil)

Caterpillar Oils have been developed and tested in order to provide the full performance and service life that has been designed and built into Caterpillar Engines. Caterpillar Oils are currently used to fill diesel engines at the factory. These oils are offered by Caterpillar dealers for continued use when the engine oil is changed. Consult your Caterpillar dealer for more information on these oils.

Due to significant variations in the quality and in the performance of commercially available oils, Caterpillar makes the following recommendations:

• Cat DEO (Diesel Engine Oil) (10W-30)

• Cat DEO (Diesel Engine Oil) (15W-40)

Caterpillar multigrade DEO is formulated with the correct amounts of detergents, dispersants, and alkalinity in order to provide superior performance in Caterpillar Diesel Engines.

Caterpillar multigrade DEO is available in various viscosity grades that include SAE 10W-30 and SAE 15W-40. To choose the correct viscosity grade for the ambient temperature, see Table 1. Multigrade oils provide the correct viscosity for a broad range of operating temperatures.

Multigrade oils are effective in maintaining low oil consumption and low levels of piston deposits.

Caterpillar multigrade DEO can be used in other diesel engines and in gasoline engines. See the engine manufacturer's guide for the recommended specifications. Compare the specifications to the specifications of Caterpillar multigrade DEO. The current industry standards for Caterpillar DEO are listed on the product label and on the data sheets for the product.

Consult your Caterpillar dealer for part numbers and for available sizes of containers.

Note: Caterpillar SAE 15W-40 multigrade DEO exceeds the performance requirements for the following API classifications: CI-4, CH-4, CG-4, CF-4 and CF. The Caterpillar multigrade DEO exceeds the requirements of the Caterpillar specification that is ECF-1 (Engine Crankcase Fluid-1). The Caterpillar SAE 15W-40 multigrade DEO passes the following proprietary tests: sticking of the piston ring, oil control tests, wear tests and soot tests. Proprietary tests help ensure that Caterpillar multigrade oil provides superior performance in Caterpillar Diesel Engines. In addition, Caterpillar multigrade oil exceeds many of the performance requirements of other manufacturers of diesel engines. Therefore, this oil is an excellent choice for many mixed fleets. True high performance oil is produced with a combination of the following factors: industry standard tests, proprietary tests, field tests and prior experience with similar formulations. The design and the development of Caterpillar lubricants that are both high performance and high quality are based on these factors.

Note: Non-Caterpillar commercial oils are second choice oils.

Commercial Engine Oils

These Engine Crankcase Fluid Recommendations are for all Current and Noncurrent Caterpillar On-highway Truck Engines..

• API CH-4 oils and API CI-4 oils are acceptable if the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 (Engine Crankcase Fluid specification-1) are met. CH-4 oils and CI-4 oils that have not met the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 Specification may cause reduced engine life.

• API CG-4 oils are acceptable for all Caterpillar diesel engines. When the API CG-4 oils are used, the oil drain interval should not exceed 75 Percent of the standard oil drain interval for your engine.

• API CF-4 oils are no longer recommended.

In order to make the proper choice of a commercial oil, refer to the following explanations:

API CI-4 - API CI-4 oils were developed in order to meet the requirements of high performance diesel engines that use cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). API CI-4 oils are acceptable if the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 (Engine Crankcase Fluid specification-1) are met.

API CH-4 - API CH-4 oils were developed in order to protect low emissions diesel engines that use a 0.05 percent level of fuel sulfur. However, API CH-4 oils may be used with higher sulfur fuels. Refer to illustration 1. API CH-4 oils are acceptable if the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 (Engine Crankcase Fluid specification-1) are met.

Note: CH-4 oils and CI-4 oils that have not met the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 Specification may cause reduced engine life.

Total Base Number (TBN) and Fuel Sulfur Levels for Direct Injection (DI) Diesel Engines

The Total Base Number (TBN) for an oil depends on the fuel sulfur level. For direct injection engines that use distillate fuel, the minimum TBN must be 10 times the fuel sulfur level. The TBN is determined by the "ASTM D2896" procedure. The minimum TBN of the oil is 5 regardless of a low fuel sulfur level. Illustration 1 demonstrates the TBN.

Illustration 1	g00104890
(Y) TBN by "ASTM D2896" (X) Percentage of fuel sulfur by weight (1) TBN of new oil (2) Change the used oil when the TBN reaches this level.

Use the following guidelines for fuel sulfur levels that exceed 1.5 percent:

1. Choose an oil with the highest TBN that meets one of these classifications:

   • API CG-4

   • API CH-4

   • API CI-4

   Note: API CH-4 oils and API CI-4 oils are acceptable if the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 (Engine Crankcase Fluid specification-1) are met. CH-4 oils and CI-4 oils that have not met the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 Specification may cause reduced engine life.

2. Reduce the oil change interval. Base the oil change interval on the oil analysis. Ensure that the oil analysis includes the condition of the oil and a wear metal analysis.

Excessive piston deposits can be produced by an oil with a high TBN. These deposits can lead to a loss of control of the oil consumption and to the polishing of the cylinder bore.

Lubricant Viscosity Recommendations for Direct Injection (DI) Diesel Engines

The proper SAE viscosity grade of oil is determined by the minimum ambient temperature during cold engine start-up, and the maximum ambient temperature during engine operation.

Refer to Table 1 (minimum temperature) in order to determine the required oil viscosity for starting a cold engine.

Refer to Table 1 (maximum temperature) in order to select the oil viscosity for engine operation at the highest ambient temperature that is anticipated.

Note: Generally, use the highest oil viscosity that is available to meet the requirement for the temperature at start-up.

If ambient temperature conditions at engine start-up require the use of multigrade SAE 0W oil, SAE 0W-40 viscosity grade is generally preferred over SAE 0W-20 or SAE 0W-30.

Note: SAE 10W-30 is the preferred viscosity grade for the following diesel engines when the ambient temperature is above −18 °C (0 °F), and below 40 °C (104 °F).

• C7

• C-9

• C9

• 3116

• 3126

When an engine is started and an engine is operated in ambient temperatures below −20 °C (−4 °F), use multigrade oils that are capable of flowing in low temperatures.

These oils have lubricant viscosity grades of SAE 0W or SAE 5W.

When an engine is started and operated in ambient temperatures below −30 °C (−22 °F), use a synthetic base stock multigrade oil with a 0W viscosity grade or with a 5W viscosity grade. Use an oil with a pour point that is lower than −40 °C (−40 °F).

The number of acceptable lubricants is limited in cold weather conditions. Caterpillar recommends the following lubricants for use in cold weather conditions:

• API classification CI-4 and CH-4 oils that also meet the Caterpillar ECF-1 specification with an SAE 0W20, SAE 0W30, SAE 0W40, SAE 5W30, or SAE 5W40 lubricant viscosity grade.

• An API classification CG-4 oil with an SAE 0W20, SAE 0W30, SAE 0W40, SAE 5W30, or SAE 5W40 lubricant viscosity grade may also be used.

Note: Supplemental heat is recommended below the minimum recommended ambient temperature. In addition, supplemental heat may be required for cold soaked starts at ambient temperatures that are above the minimum temperature that is stated, depending on the parasitic load and other factors.