With new emissions regulations kicking off for model year 2027, and the hardware pushed to close to its technological limits, it’s time for engine oils to play a role.
Here's a breakdown of trucking's journey to PC-12.
The new oils were first proposed by the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) in 2021, when it asked the American Petroleum Institute (API) for the development of a new diesel engine category to help it manage new, more stringent emissions regulations and engine wear demands.
The new category, PC-12, will replace the PC-11 oils available now, CK-4 and FA-4.
[RELATED: API engine oil certification system updated]
Jeffrey Harmening, a senior project manager for EOLCS/DEF at API, says some of the things the OEMs wanted to see in the new oils included increased oxidation resistance, new engine wear test capabilities, lower viscosities to include SAE xW-20 in the F subcategory, reduced sulfated ash to improve the efficiency of diesel particulate filters, the improved protection of the catalyst as part of the exhaust gas aftertreatment, and new seal elastomers to ensure compatibility with the proposed oils.
