The American Petroleum Institute has given the go-ahead for the development of the PC-11 category for heavy-duty engine oils.
The agreement, given by the API's Lubricants Group, means the Diesel Engine Oil Advisory Panel (DEOAP) can move the categorisation process into development.
PC (which stands for 'proposed category') 11, is set to replace the existing API CJ-4 engine oil specification with a new standard which takes into account higher engine oil temperatures, increased use of bio-fuels, the drive for lower emissions and greater fuel efficiency and greater wear protection.
Momentum for the new standard has come as a result of a direct request to the API from the Engine Manufacturers Association, which asked the standards body to consider all of the above issues plus the fact that hardware design has changed signficantly since CJ-4 was introduced in 2006; that by the time PC-11 becomes commercial in 2016 it will be 10 years between the two categories being launched and that many of the CJ-4 tests are becoming obsolete or unable to run because of hardware issues.
The categorisation process is likely to involve a collaborative approach between the engine and oil manfacturers, marketers and additive producers, whose representative New Category Evaluation Team presented to the DEOAP.
Now that API approval has been given, the DEOAP will need to consider developing two new engine sequence tests as well as upgrades and revisions for other tests in the programme. Labelling and other marketing language will also need to be considered.