BOLT 1D4541 - Caterpillar

General Information
Caterpillar recognizes and supports the American Petroleum Institute (API) "Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System" for engine oils. The API publication No. 1509, 13th edition, contains the detailed information concerning this system. Engine oils bearing the API symbol are licensed by the API.
Examples of the API symbol.Diesel engine oil classifications CD, CD-2 and CE will not be API licensed categories after January 1, 1996. Caterpillar will only reference those categories that are licensed by the API. The following chart summarizes the status of the categories. Engine Lubricant Specifications
Caterpillar Oil
Caterpillar Oils have been developed, tested, and approved by Caterpillar to provide the performance and life that has been designed and built into Caterpillar diesel engines. Caterpillar Oils are used for engine development and factory fill. They are available from Caterpillar dealers. Due to significant variations in the quality and performance of commercially available oils, Caterpillar recommends the following.Caterpillar Diesel Engine Oil (DEO) (multi-grade)
Caterpillar DEO multi-grade oils are formulated with detergents, dispersants, and sufficient alkalinity to provide superior performance in Caterpillar diesel engines. DEO multi-grade oils are blended in two viscosity grades: SAE 10W30 and SAE 15W40. Refer to the lubricant viscosity chart to choose the correct viscosity grade based on ambient temperatures. Multi-grade oils provide the correct viscosity for a broad range of operating temperatures and for cold engine starts. Multi-grade oils are also effective in maintaining low oil consumption and low levels of piston deposits.Caterpillar DEO multi-grade oils are also qualified for use in other diesel engines and in gasoline engines. Consult the engine manufacturer's guide for the recommended specifications, and compare to the specifications of Caterpillar DEO multi-grade. The current Caterpillar DEO industry specifications are listed on the label and on the product data sheets.Commercial Diesel Engine Oils
The performance of commercial diesel engine oils are based on API categories. These API categories are developed to provide commercial lubricants for a wide variety of diesel engines that operate at various conditions.If Caterpillar DEO (multi-grade) is not used, the following commercial oils are recommended.* API CG-4 Preferred* API CF-4 AllowedAPI CG-4 oils are preferred for Caterpillar engines because of the fuel sulfur level. API CG-4 is the only oil category that evaluates oils with engine tests utilizing 0.05 percent sulfur fuel.The following explanations of these API categories can be used to make the proper choice of a commercial oil. CG-4: This is the newest oil category. CG-4 oils were primarily developed for diesel engines that are operating on 0.05 percent sulfur diesel fuel. All of the laboratory engine tests for this category were run with 0.05 percent sulfur diesel fuel. This category also defines oils that have superior soot discrepancy. CG-4 oils will provide improved viscosity control and improved crankcase cleanliness in applications where oil soot is a problem. CG-4 oils will provide improved viscosity control and improved crankcase cleanliness in applications where oil soot is a problem. CG-4 oils should also be used in engines that contain hydraulically actuated fuel injection pumps; these are the first oils