3600 and C280 Diesel Engine Fluids Recommendations Caterpillar

The information that is provided is the latest recommendations for Cat diesel engines that are covered by this Special Publication. This information supersedes all previous recommendations which have been published for Cat diesel engines that are covered by this Special Publication. Special fluids are required for some engines. These fluids will still be necessary in those engines. Refer to the applicable Operation and Maintenance Manual.

This publication is a supplement to the Operation and Maintenance Manual. This publication does not replace the engine-specific Operation and Maintenance Manuals.

Failure to follow the recommendations found in this Special Publication can cause engine failures, shortened engine service life, and reduced engine performance.

In order to avoid potential damage to your Cat Cat engine, only purchase Cat fluids and Cat filters through your Cat dealer or Cat authorized outlets. For a list of authorized Cat parts outlets in your area, consult your Cat dealer.

If you purchase what appear to be Cat fluids and/or Cat filters through other outlets/sources, you are at a very high risk of purchasing counterfeit (“look-alike”) products.

Counterfeit or “look-alike” products may visually appear the same as the original Cat product. The product performance and internal quality will typically be very low.

Counterfeit or “look-alike” products have a very high likelihood of causing and/or allowing engine and/or machine compartment damage.

Many of the guidelines, recommendations, and requirements that are provided in this Special Publication are interrelated. Before using the provided information, The user is responsible to read this Special Publication and understand the information provided.

The user is responsible to follow all safety guidelines found in this Special Publication and in the engine Operation and Maintenance Manual when performing all recommended and/or required engine, engine systems, and/or machine maintenance.

For questions concerning the information presented in this Special Publication and/or in your product Operation and Maintenance Manual, and/or for additional guidelines and recommendations (including maintenance interval recommendations/requirements) consult your Cat dealer.

Commercial products that make generic claims of meeting “Cat” and/or “Cat” requirements without listing the specific Cat recommendations and/or requirements that are met may not provide acceptable performance. Reduced engine and/or machine fluid compartment life may result. Refer to this Special Publication and refer to the product Operation and Maintenance Manual for Cat fluids recommendations and/or requirements.

Use of fluids that do not meet at least the minimum performance recommendations and/or requirements may lead to lower compartment performance and/or compartment failure.

Problems/failures that are caused by using fluids that do not meet the minimum recommended and/or required performance level for the compartment are not warrantable by Caterpillar Inc.. The fluid manufacturer and customer are responsible.

When fluids made by other manufacturers are used on Cat products, the Cat warranty is not affected simply because of such use. Failures that result from the installation or usage of other manufacturer fluids, however, are not Cat factory defects and therefore are NOT covered by the Cat warranty. Cat is not in a position to evaluate the many fluids promoted by other manufacturers and the effect on Cat products. Installation or use of such items is at the discretion of the customer who assumes ALL risks for the effects that result from this usage.

Different brand oils may use different additive packages to meet the various engine performance category/specification requirements. For the best results, do not mix oil brands.

The overall performance of engine and machine compartments is dependent on the choice of the lubricants and on the maintenance and cleanliness practices. The choices include filtration products, contamination control, tank management, and general handling practices. Cat designed and produced filtration products offer optimal performance and system protection.

In order to obtain additional information on Cat designed and produced filtration products, refer to the “Reference Material” article, “Filters” and “Miscellaneous” topics in this Special Publication or consult your Cat dealer for assistance with filtration recommendations for your Cat machine.

Note: In order to help ensure the maximum expected compartment performance and life, use a fluid that meets Cat highest level of fluid performance as described in this Special Publication for the compartment. Using a fluid that is considered an acceptable, but lower performing option for typical applications, will provide lower performance.