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. 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 specification. A list of all approved oils will appear on their website. Shell is confident it 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 the Shell products are API CK-4 licensed until December, and the new Ford specification does not go into effect until December 1, 2016.
