Protect Your Engine: Big Changes Ahead for Engine Oil

Have you heard the news? Major changes in the categories of engine oil are coming in 2017 and will affect your vehicles.

'These changes are part of the federal government's standards for greater fuel efficiency,' said Chad Besch, energy team leader at MaxYield Cooperative. 'They will affect both diesel and gasoline engines.'

Here's what you need to know:

• While CJ-4 is the current standard for heavy-duty engine oil, CK-4 will soon take its place. FA-4 will become the standard for lower viscosity oils.
• While CJ-4 was 'backwards compatible,' meaning it would work on previous model engines, this isn't true for the new categories of oil. If you buy a new 2017 truck or tractor that takes CK-4 engine oil, don't use other types of oil in the vehicle. 'If you have a new truck and an old truck, you'll need two different kinds of oil,' Besch said.
• These changes aren't a ploy by manufacturers or retailers to sell more oil. These standards are set by the American Petroleum Institute (API), and oil manufacturers have to follow these requirements, Besch said.
• MaxYield Cooperative will continue to offer all the oils we carry today, along with the new oils that will meet the new regulations. 'We're proud to offer high-quality Cenex oils,' said Besch, who noted that Cenex is working with the API to meet these new regulations.

Save with 5W-30 Enviro-Edge oil

These aren't the only changes in modern engine oil technology. While the synthetic oil blend 15W-40 has been used for years in diesel engines, new options are available, including 5W-30 Enviro-Edge oil.

'This can give you extended drain intervals, which means you can save money over the long haul,' Besch said.

The key is proper testing. Pull a sample, and if the oil checks out okay, the oil can be used longer. MaxYield uses this oil in its semi-trucks and fuel delivery trucks. 'We've almost doubled our drain intervals, in some cases,' Besch said.

Other trends in engine oil include lower viscosities for passenger car engines. 'We'll likely see this trend in truck diesel engines, too,' said Besch, who noted that 0W-20 oil is recommended for some newer cars.

The bottom line? Follow your engine manufacturer's specifications, and count on MaxYield for the energy solutions you need. 'It makes sense to invest in today's high-tech oils,' Besch said. 'It's a small price to pay to protect an expensive engine.'

For more information on oil options, contact Bryan Traub, MaxYield's service station team leader, at 515-887-3531.