API Classifications General Question - No EGR vs External EGR

[Trustable]

HI All,

#1 - this is not an oil brand thread.

Since I am about to do my oil change this weekend or upcoming week, this has got me curious and I have been unable to find an answer online on the oil forums or this forum, so I am looking for some advice.

Essentially, in the L2501 manual it gives API classifications for two types of engines:



I believe my l2501 does not have an EGR so therefore I should use oil with those classifications, but the manual also says this -



Oil Specs

1. I used this same oil for my last oil change. But since this oil is also rated CJ-4 in addition to CH-4 and CI-4, should I still use it?
2. Also if you look at it, it also is specified CH-4, which the manual says you cant use in an EGR type engine. So does that mean you wouldn't be run this if you had an external ERG on your machine? Even if it has CI-4?

 

[Trash Panda]

CJ-4 has been long superseded by CK-4 oils to the point where I’m not aware of any strictly CJ-4 options?

Kubota makes it needlessly complicated in the manual, but you can run essentially any off the shelf HDDEO in the appropriate viscosity.

Happy hunting.

 

[Trustable]

CJ-4 has been long superseded by CK-4 oils to the point where I’m not aware of any strictly CJ-4 options?

Kubota makes it needlessly complicated in the manual, but you can run essentially any off the shelf HDDEO in the appropriate viscosity.

Happy hunting.

Thank you I appreciate it - going to stick with the Shell T6 10w-30 then. I am not knowledgeable about oil at all besides the types (synthetic/blend/reg) and the grades (Xw - X). Ive always just wanted to make sure it met the specs at least, but when the specs contradict each other according to the manual i wanted to ask.

I looked at some other popular oils as well, and all of them pretty much had the same classifications - a combination of what kubota says to use and says not to use.

If anyone else has any thoughts, Id love to hear them as well. Just trying to learn more.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Thank you I appreciate it - going to stick with the Shell T6 10w-30 then. I am not knowledgeable about oil at all besides the types (synthetic/blend/reg) and the grades (Xw - X). Ive always just wanted to make sure it met the specs at least, but when the specs contradict each other according to the manual i wanted to ask.

I looked at some other popular oils as well, and all of them pretty much had the same classifications - a combination of what kubota says to use and says not to use.

If anyone else has any thoughts, Id love to hear them as well. Just trying to learn more.

API CK-4 encompases all of the previous exhaust after treatment specific classifications. One size now fits all. The following is from the API website

API CK-4 oils exceed the performance criteria of API CJ-4, CI-4 with CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, and CH-4 and can effectively lubricate engines calling for those API Service Categories.

Dan

 

[Trustable]

API CK-4 encompases all of the previous exhaust after treatment specific classifications. One size now fits all. The following is from the API website

API CK-4 oils exceed the performance criteria of API CJ-4, CI-4 with CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, and CH-4 and can effectively lubricate engines calling for those API Service Categories.

Dan

Thanks Dan! So just so I understand, from what you are saying - even though my l2501 has no egr/burnoff/def, it is acceptable to use oils with the CK-4 designation? And if I ever got a larger tractor with egr/burnoff/def, that oil would still fit the bill? I think the answer is yes, but I just want to ensure I am thinking about it the right way.

You would think with my tractor being a 2022, the manual would be a bit more updated with the oil information.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Thanks Dan! So just so I understand, from what you are saying - even though my l2501 has no egr/burnoff/def, it is acceptable to use oils with the CK-4 designation? And if I ever got a larger tractor with egr/burnoff/def, that oil would still fit the bill? I think the answer is yes, but I just want to ensure I am thinking about it the right way.

You would think with my tractor being a 2022, the manual would be a bit more updated with the oil information.

CK-4 is the latest API service category and suitable for use in most diesel engines inckuding your L2501. It supercedes ALL those previous specifications.

Kubota is horrible about updating manuals and especially as regards fluid specifications.

Dan

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I run Rotella T-6 in my 2501.

I also run it in my truck and my UTV (has wet clutch)

As Dan pointed out, I have always been under the impression that as they go from letter to letter, the latest oil is “backwards compatible”.

Not sure if it’s it a “law” or anything, but thats how I have always thought it was.

 

[TheOldHokie]

As Dan pointed out, I have always been under the impression that as they go from letter to letter, the latest oil is “backwards compatible”.

Not sure if it’s it a “law” or anything, but thats how I have always thought it was.

Its not the "law". Its what they try to do put there are occassional exceptions as was the case in the older CH-4, CI-4, CJ-4, and CJ-4+ mish mash. They resolved all of those differences with the unifying CK-4 specification.

For diesel engines, the latest category usually - but not always - includes the performance properties of an earlier category. And that is still the case with the latest ILSAC FA-4 specification. More on that from the API website:

API FA-4 and the FA-4 Donut identify certain XW-30 oils specifically formulated for use in select high-speed four-stroke cycle diesel engines designed to meet 2017 model year on-highway greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards. API FA-4 oils are not interchangeable or backward compatible with API CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, and CH-4 oils. Refer to engine manufacturer recommendations to determine if API FA-4 oils are suitable for use.

 

[Trustable]

Thanks all! Appreciate the discussion. Always glad to learn something new.