Fuel, Oil and Coolant Specifications
NEW ENGINE OIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
A relatively new engine oil classification system has been introduced to industry that describes the criteria required to
meet each performance level. A simplified cross-reference of oil and current commercial and military specifications is
shown below.
CROSS-REFERENCE OF LUBE OIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS
API Code Letters
Comparable Military or Commercial Industry Spec.
NOTE: MIL-L-2t04B lubricants are
CA
MIL-L-2104A
currently marketed and readily
CB
Supplement I
available for commercial use.
CC
MIL-L-2104B (see Note below)
CD
MIL-L-45199B (Series 3)
MIL-L-2104B
lubricants
are
t
MIL-L-46152 (supersedes MIL-L-2104B for Military only)
obsolete for Military service
MIL-L-2104C (supersedes MIL-L-45199B for Military only)
applications only.
SA
none
SB
none
SC
1964 MS oils - Auto passenger car
SD
1968 MS oils - Auto passenger car
SE
1972 MS oils - Auto passenger car
t Oil performance meets or exceeds that of CC and SE oils.
Oil performance meets or exceeds that of CD and SC oils.
Consult the following publications for complete descriptions:
1. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Technical Report J-183a.
2. Federal Test Method Standard 791a.
PUBLICATION AVAILABLE SHOWING COMMERCIAL "BRAND" NAME LUBRICANTS
A list of "brand" name lubricants distributed by the majority of worldwide oil suppliers can be purchased from the Engine
Manufacturers Association (EMA). The publication is titled, EMA Lubricating Oils Data Book for Heavy-Duty Automotive
and Industrial Engines. The publication shows the brand names, oil performance levels, viscosity grades, and sulfated
ash contents of most "brands" marketed.
ENGINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
111 EAST WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601
STATEMENT OF POLICY ON FUEL AND LUBRICANT ADDITIVES
In answer to requests concerning the use of fuel and lubricating oil additives, the following excerpt has been taken from a
policy statement of General Motors Corporation:
"It has been and continues to be General Motors policy to build motor vehicles that will operate satisfactorily on the
commercial fuels and lubricants of good quality regularly provided by the petroleum industry through retail outlets. "
Therefore, Detroit Diesel Allison does not recommend the use of any supplementary fuel or lubricant additives. These
include all products marketed as fuel conditioners, smoke suppressants, masking agents, reodorants, tune-up
compounds, top oils, break-in oils, graphitizers, and friction-reducing compounds.
NOTE: The manufacturer's warranty applicable to Detroit Diesel engines provides
In part that the provisions of such warranty shall not apply to any engine unit
which has been subject to misuse, negligence or accident.
Accordingly,
malfunctions attributable to neglect or failure to follow the manufacturer's fuel or
lubricating recommendations may not be within the coverage of the warranty.
SERVICE AND INSPECTION INTERVALS
Generally, operating conditions will vary for each engine application, even with comparable mileage or hours and,
therefore, maintenance schedules can vary. A good rule of thumb for piston, ring, and liner inspections, however, would
be at 45,000 miles or 1500 hours for the first such inspection and at 30,000 miles or 1000 hour intervals thereafter.
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