Shell Responds to Ford’s Statement on CK-4 & FA-4 Diesel Oil

Shell Position on new Ford Diesel Engine Oil Specification

Recently, Ford Motor Company issued a position statement regarding the use of API CK-4 & FA-4 heavy duty engine oils in Ford diesel vehicles when API licensing begins December 1, 2016. Ford has developed a new specification, Ford Material Engineering Specification WSS-M2C171-F1, which goes into effect December 1, 2016. Ford will recommend that all diesel engine oils meet this new Ford specification in order to be used in Ford diesel vehicles.

The Shell ROTELLA^® technology team has been working closely with Ford throughout the API category development process. We believe, and our testing demonstrates, that the new Shell ROTELLA^® CK-4 formulations provide superior wear protection compared to Shell ROTELLA^® legacy CJ-4 formulations.

Ford has not approved the use of API FA-4 oils in its vehicles due to the low viscosity nature of these fluids. Ford will approve API CK-4 heavy duty engine oils that meet its new specification. A list of all approved oils will appear on their website. We are confident we will gain these approvals and will communicate accordingly. Ford currently approves the use of API CJ-4 licensed oils.

It is important to note that Ford customers may continue to use Shell ROTELLA^® CJ-4 licensed products as none of our products are API CK-4 licensed until December, and the new Ford specification does not go into effect until December 1, 2016.

The legacy of Shell ROTELLA^® heavy duty engine oils has been one of providing hard working protection in diesel applications, and we are confident that our next generation of products will continue to meet the needs of our customers for use in their Ford engines.

Inquiries:

Shell Lubricants
Shell Media Line
(713) 241-4544