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Maintenance Section Lubricant Specifications

Caterpillar Diesel Engine Oil (15W40)

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

Caterpillar multigrade Diesel Engine Oil is available in two viscosity grades (10W30 and 15W40).

For direct injection engines, see Table 2 in order to choose the correct viscosity grade for the ambient temperature. 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 Diesel Engine Oil 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 Diesel Engine Oil. The current industry standards for Caterpillar Diesel Engine Oil 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.

Commercial Oils

The performance of commercial diesel engine oils is based on American Petroleum Institute (API) classifications. These API classifications are developed in order to provide commercial lubricants for a broad range of diesel engines that operate at various conditions.

If Caterpillar multigrade Diesel Engine Oil is not used, only use commercial oils that meet the following classifications:

EMA LRG-1 multigrade oil (preferred oil)

API CH-4 multigrade oil (preferred oil)

API CG-4 multigrade oil (preferred oil)

API CF-4 multigrade oil (acceptable oil)

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

EMA LRG-1 – The Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) has developed lubricant recommendations as an alternative to the API oil classification system. LRG-1 is a Recommended Guideline that defines a level of oil performance for these types of diesel engines: high speed, four stroke cycle, heavy-duty, and light duty. LRG-1 oils may be used in Caterpillar engines when API CH-4, API CG-4, and API CF-4 oils are recommended. LRG-1 oils are intended to provide superior performance in comparison to API CG-4 and API CF-4.

LRG-1 oils will meet the needs of high performance Caterpillar diesel engines that are operating in many applications. The tests and the test limits that are used to define LRG-1 are similar to the new API CH-4 classification. Therefore, these oils will also meet the requirements of the low emissions diesel engines. LRG-1 oils are designed to control the harmful effects of soot with improved wear resistance and improved resistance to oil filter plugging. These oils will also provide superior piston deposit control for engines with either two-piece steel pistons or aluminum pistons.

All LRG-1 oils must complete a full test program with the base stock and with the viscosity grade of the finished commercial oil. The use of “API Base Oil Interchange Guidelines” are not appropriate for LRG-1 oils. This feature reduces the variation in performance that can occur when base stocks are changed in commercial oil formulations.

LRG-1 oils are recommended for use in extended oil change interval programs that optimize oil life. These oil change interval programs are based on oil analysis. LRG-1 oils are recommended for conditions that demand a premium oil. Your Caterpillar dealer has the specific guidelines for optimizing oil change intervals.

API CH-4 – API CH-4 oils were developed in order to meet the requirements of the new high performance diesel engines. Also, the oil was designed to meet the requirements of the low emissions diesel engines. API CH-4 oils are also acceptable for use in older diesel engines and in diesel engines that use high sulfur diesel fuel. API CH-4 oils may be used in Caterpillar engines that use API CG-4 and API CF-4 oils. API CH-4 oils will generally exceed the performance of API CG-4 oils in the following criteria: deposits on pistons, control of oil consumption, wear of piston rings, valve train wear, viscosity control, and corrosion.