Increased efficiency in trucks has driven a split in the new PC-11 category.
Emissions reduction and improved fuel economy are the aims of the lubes industry for the heavy truck sector, reflected in the news that the new PC-11 category will be split.
Now, PC-11A will focus on older-model trucks which need higher levels of protection and performance for end users than the previous standard, API CJ-4. PC-11A lubricants will have a minimum 3.5 HTHS (high shear viscosity rates) and require significant investment, despite being backwards-compatible. PC-11A is likely to be called API CK-4.
PC-11B will mostly correspond to the more recent kinematic viscosities 10W-30 and 5W-30, but will be referenced by their lower HTHS viscosity, to distinguish them from PC-11A. PC-11B lubricants aim to increase fuel economy in engines designed to use lower viscosity lubricants but they may not be broadly backwards-compatible. PC-11B is likely to be named API FA-4.
Two new tests will be introduced for the PC-11 sets - the CAT C13 Aeration test and the Mack T13 oxidation test. Following earlier delays, PC-11 lubricants are now expected to be available in the marketplace before the end of 2016.