Last month, 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.

In Ford's position statement it said that the problem with most CK-4 oils was it didn't meet wear, primarily due to API SN, and can not be used.

Shell said its ROTELLA® technology team has been working closely with Ford throughout the API category development process. Shell believes, and its 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 WSS-M2C171-F1 specification. Shell says it is confident it will gain these approvals. Ford currently approves the use of API CJ-4 licensed oils.

OEM/Lube News contacted Ford and was advised that Ford will be putting together a list of approved API CK-4 oil company engine oils that Ford finds acceptable for use in Ford diesel engines.

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