Skip to main content
Find Retailers & Installers
Select your country

New Additive Chemistry For The Trucking Industry

As the trucking industry anticipates tighter emissions regulations and increasingly advanced diesel engines, work is underway on the next generation of engine oil - API PC-12. This new specification will replace the current API CK-4 and FA-4 categories and is being developed to deliver stronger protection in more demanding environments.

Additives At The Core of PC-12 Engine Oils

At the core of PC-12 are advanced additive technologies that will help engine oils meet the evolving needs of modern fleets. The new heavy-duty engine oils are being designed to protect today’s diesel engines while enhancing efficiency and reliability for trucking fleets and drivers. An essential element of the oils is the additive package. PC-12 oils will feature advanced additive packages designed to:

  • Increase oxidation resistance: Enhanced oxidation control helps prevent oil breakdown at high operating temperatures. This protects against viscosity increase and reduces sludge buildup, helping engines stay cleaner and last longer.
  • Improve wear protection: A new wear test will ensure robust protection for key engine components, even in lower-viscosity grades like 0W-20 and 5W-20, which is critical for balancing protection and fuel economy.
  • Protect diesel particulate filters (DPFs): Lower sulfated ash content helps reduce DPF clogging and minimizes catalyst poisoning. This means longer DPF service intervals and less unplanned downtime for fleets.
  • Enhance elastomer compatibility: Expanding elastomer compatibility to include a wider range of engine sealing materials to reduce the risk of leaks and component degradation.

PC-12 Additives Performance And Compatibility Ready

Shell Lubricants will test Shell Rotella PC-12 candidate oils through laboratory evaluations and real-world field trials with fleets. This process helps ensure that the oils meet industry standards and deliver consistent performance across the wide range of operating conditions professional drivers face.

The introduction of PC-12 will mark a significant advancement in heavy-duty engine lubrication. With its emphasis on additive performance and emissions system compatibility, the new heavy duty diesel engine oils will help ensure that today’s trucks are ready for the road ahead and that the industry is prepared to meet the requirements of newer engine technologies.