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API Oils
The Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System by the American Petroleum Institute (API) is recognized by Caterpillar. For detailed information about this system, see the latest edition of the "API publication No. 1509". Engine oils that bear the API symbol are authorized by API.
Illustration 1 g00546535
Typical API symbol
Diesel engine oils CC, CD, CD-2, and CE have not been API authorized classifications since 1 January 1996. Table 1 summarizes the status of the classifications.
Table 1
API Classifications
Current Obsolete
CI-4(1)
CH-4(1)
CG-4(2)
CF-4(3) CE
CF (4) CC, CD
CF-2(5) CD-2(5)
(1) API CH-4 and CI-4 oils are acceptable if the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 (Engine Crankcase Fluid specification-1) are met. CH-4 and CI-4 oils that have not met the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 Specification may cause reduced engine life.
(2) API CG-4 oils are acceptable for all Caterpillar diesel engines. When the API CG-4 oils are used, the oil drain interval should not exceed 75 Percent of the standard oil drain interval for your engine.
(3) API CF-4 oils are no longer recommended for Caterpillar on-highway diesel engines.
(4) API CF oils are not recommended for Caterpillar on-highway diesel engines.
(5) API CF-2 and CD-2 oils are classifications for two-cycle diesel engines. Caterpillar does not sell engines that utilize the CD-2 and the API CF-2 oils.Cat DEO (Diesel Engine Oil)
Caterpillar Oils have been developed and tested in order to provide the full performance and service life that has been designed and built into Caterpillar Engines. Caterpillar Oils are currently used to fill diesel engines at the factory. These oils are offered by Caterpillar dealers for continued use when the engine oil is changed. Consult your Caterpillar dealer for more information on these oils.Due to significant variations in the quality and in the performance of commercially available oils, Caterpillar makes the following recommendations:
Cat DEO (Diesel Engine Oil) (10W-30)
Cat DEO (Diesel Engine Oil) (15W-40)Commercial Oils
API CH-4 oils and API CI-4 oils are acceptable if the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 (Engine Crankcase Fluid specification-1) are met. CH-4 oils and CI-4 oils that have not met the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 Specification may cause reduced engine life.
API CG-4 oils are acceptable for all Caterpillar diesel engines. When the API CG-4 oils are used, the oil drain interval should not exceed 75 Percent of the standard oil drain interval for your engine.
API CF-4 oils are no longer recommended.
In selecting oil for any engine application, both the oil viscosity and oil performance classification/specification as specified by the engine manufacturer must be defined and satisfied. Using only one of these parameters will not sufficently define oil for an engine application.
In order to make the proper choice of a commercial oil, refer to the following explanations:API CI-4 - API CI-4 oils were developed in order to meet the requirements of high performance diesel engines that use cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). API CI-4 oils are acceptable if the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 (Engine Crankcase Fluid specification-1) are met.API CH-4 - API CH-4 oils were developed in order to protect low emissions diesel engines that use a 0.05 percent level of fuel sulfur. However, API CH-4 oils may be used with higher sulfur fuels. API CH-4 oils are acceptable if the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 (Engine Crankcase Fluid specification-1) are met.Note: CH-4 oils and CI-4 oils that have not met the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 Specification may cause reduced engine life.
Failure to follow these oil recommendations can cause shortened engine service life due to deposits and/or excessive wear.
Note: Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6251, "Caterpillar Commercial Diesel Engine Fluids Recommendations" for additional information that relates to lubrication for your engine.Lubricant Viscosity Recommendations
The proper SAE viscosity grade of oil is determined by the minimum ambient temperature during cold engine start-up, and the maximum ambient temperature during engine operation. Refer to Table 2 (minimum temperature) in order to determine the required oil viscosity for starting a cold engine.Refer to Table 2 (maximum temperature) in order to select the oil viscosity for engine operation at the highest ambient temperature that is anticipated.Note: Generally, use the highest oil viscosity that is available to meet the requirement for the temperature at start-up.If ambient temperature conditions at engine start-up require the use of multigrade SAE 0W oil, SAE 0W-40 viscosity grade is preferred over SAE 0W-20 or SAE 0W-30.Note: SAE 10W-30 is the preferred viscosity grade for the following diesel engines when the ambient temperature is above −18 °C (0 °F) and below 40 °C (104 °F).
Table 2
Engine Oil Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures
Ambient Temperature
Viscosity Grade Minimum Maximum
SAE 0W-20 −40 °C (−40 °F) 10 °C (50 °F)
SAE 0W-30 −40 °C (−40 °F) 30 °C (86 °F)
SAE 0W-40 −40 °C (−40 °F) 40 °C (104 °F)
SAE 5W-30 −30 °C