Chevron launches public education campaign for PC-11

Chevron Products Company, a Chevron U.S.A. Inc. division, has launched a public education campaign to build awareness and clarity around the next generation of heavy-duty diesel engine oils which will be licensed by the American Petroleum Institute staring Dec. 1, 2016.

As a result of extensive research across the country, Chevron has made a commitment over the next 12 months to not only keep the industry informed but also to “explain PC-11” clearly and simply. Proposed Category 11 or PC-11 was approved by ASTM Subcommittee D02.B last month with the official designations API CK-4 and API FA-4.

API CK-4 will be both backward and forward compatible. The second category, FA-4, will be specifically for new engine models. These new categories will help in a number of ways, including:

• Enabling new advancements in diesel engine hardware designs
• Increasing fuel economy through lighter viscosity grade and friction modifiers
• Improving engine durability with new advanced additive chemistry and base oil selection

“Based on our research, awareness of the new category of oil is low, and among those who are aware, there is a lot of confusion,” said Shawn Whitacre, senior staff engineer of Engine Oil Technology at Chevron Lubricants, and chairman of the ASTM Heavy-Duty Engine Oil Classification Panel, which is tasked with the development of PC-11.

“Once those who rely on these oils are made aware of PC-11, and that the new category is actually two subcategories, there are a lot of questions and concerns. NOW is the time to help the industry and our customers get ahead of the change and prepare for it,” he said.

The Chevron education campaign will include a new website, PC-11Explained.com.

Chevron’s new website will provide ongoing expert commentary, multimedia resources, news and insights on issues surrounding the new diesel heavy-duty motor oil (HDMO) categories, including:

• An ongoing video series of interviews with the Delo PC-11 Leadership Team answering questions and providing updates on PC-11
• A monthly column to dispel any and all misinformation around PC-11
• A weekly question and answer column to provide timely answers to pressing
  questions
• Webinars for end-users that offer insights and explanations to help them
  understand the basics about PC-11
• Customized information for those interested in on-highway related topics,
  as well as off-highway
• Latest news on PC-11 within the media landscape
• Links to other resources, news articles and commentary related to PC-11