Move to the Next Generation of API CL-4
A Simple Transition. Enhanced Performance.
Starting in January 2027, the heavy-duty lubricant industry will begin transitioning to API CL-4, a new performance standard for heavy-duty diesel engine oils.
Developed to meet the evolving demands of modern diesel engines, API CL-4 is designed to provide enhanced protection against piston deposits and valvetrain wear, improved seal compatibility, reduced in-service oil consumption, better oxidation control to support extended oil drain intervals, and broader compatibility with current and future emissions-control technologies.
This new specification will gradually succeed API CK-4, which has been the industry benchmark for nearly a decade. Although API CL-4 licensed oils will begin reaching shelves in January 2027, they will coexist with their predecessors for several months, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition for both individual consumers and fleet operators.
For end users, the transition has been designed to be seamless. The new products are intended to directly replace existing CK-4 oils without requiring changes to maintenance practices, equipment, or fleet operations. API CL-4 licensed oils are backward compatible with both modern and older equipment, including equipment that is no longer under warranty.
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Why a New Standard?
Since the introduction of API CK-4 in 2016, diesel engine technology has continued to evolve.
- Manufacturers and their customers now require lubricants that can:
- Maintain viscosity throughout service intervals
- Support improved fuel efficiency
- Enable extended oil drain intervals
- Protect modern emissions-control systems
- Cover a broader range of applications and viscosity grades
API CL-4 was developed to address these new challenges while maintaining compatibility with equipment currently in service.
What Does API CL-4 Deliver?
Improved Oil Stability Over Time
Engine oil is continuously exposed to heat, soot, fuel contamination, and mechanical stress. Over time, these factors can accelerate oil degradation.
API CL-4 introduces new performance requirements aimed at improving oxidation control and helping maintain lubricant properties throughout the oil's service life.
Enhanced Wear Protection
Modern diesel engines operate under increasingly demanding conditions. API CL-4 formulations are designed to maintain a strong lubricating film that helps protect critical engine components against wear and premature failure.
Support for Fuel Economy Goals
Advancements in formulation technology help reduce energy losses caused by internal friction, supporting manufacturers' fuel efficiency objectives and helping fleets optimize operating costs.
Broader Application Coverage
The new standard expands coverage across viscosity grades and operating conditions, allowing fleets to benefit from greater flexibility when selecting lubricants for diverse equipment and applications.
What Changes?
- A New Performance Standard
- A New Generation of Rubia Products
To support this transition, the Rubia range is also evolving.
-
Rubia 1100 to Rubia 1200 | Conventional Technology
-
Rubia 1300 to Rubia 1400 | Synthetic Technology
-
Rubia 1500 to Rubia 1600 | Full Synthetic Technology
Each new product builds on the strengths of its predecessor while incorporating the requirements of the new API CL-4 specification.
- Updated Packaging and Product References
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A New Performance Standard
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A New Generation of Rubia Products
-
Updated Packaging and Product References
What Doesn't Change?
- Your vehicles
- Your equipment
- Your maintenance practices
- Your recommended service intervals
- Your engine protection
- Your TotalEnergies representative
- Product backward compatibility
The transition was designed to be as simple as possible for customers currently using CK-4 products.
No Planning Required
The next generation of products has been developed to provide a smooth transition from today's CK-4 lubricants.
No equipment modifications, operational adjustments, or special procedures are required.
As the new products are introduced, they will naturally replace their current equivalents while delivering the benefits of the new API CL-4 standard.