CF-4, CH-4, CI-4, and CJ-4 are quality grades of diesel engine oil. For example, CH-4 indicates that the quality level is ch, and 4 indicates a four-stroke engine. Currently common ones include CF-4 and CH-4.
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There are obvious differences between diesel engine oils CF-4 and CH-4 in many aspects. CF-4 and CH-4 are diesel engine oil specifications established by the American Petroleum Institute (API). These specifications indicate the performance and quality levels of diesel engine oils, and they have evolved over time to meet the changing needs of modern engines and environmental regulations.
The differences between CF-4 and CH-4 diesel engine oils are as follows:
First, their emission standards are different. CF-4 has higher exhaust emission standards than CH-4, which means diesel engines using CF-4 diesel engine oil can meet more stringent environmental requirements.
Secondly, their scope of use is different. CF-4 is suitable for high-speed, four-stroke, naturally aspirated or turbocharged diesel engines. CH-4 is used in high-speed, four-stroke, diesel engines and complies with the 1998 U.S. exhaust emission standards and uses fuel with a sulfur content of less than 0.5%. This means that CH-4 diesel engine oil is targeted at more specific applications, such as diesel engines using low-sulfur fuels.
Furthermore, the levels of the two are different. The grade of CH-4 is higher than CF-4, which is mainly determined by the quality of base oil and additives. The higher the grade of engine oil, the longer the oil change interval and the better its resistance to wear and corrosion.
CF-4 is an older API specification introduced in the early 1990s.
It is designed for use in diesel engines that do not have the advanced emissions control technology and design found in more modern engines.
CF-4 oil is suitable for engines operating at medium to high speeds and with relatively low specific power output.
They provide basic wear, deposit and oxidation protection.
CH-4 is a newer API specification introduced in the late 1990s to meet the changing needs of diesel engines.
It is designed for engines with more advanced technologies, including turbocharging and intercooling, and is compatible with engines equipped with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems.
CH-4 oil provides greater protection against wear, piston deposits, and soot-related problems.
They are formulated with better resistance to high-temperature oxidation and can handle the higher soot levels produced by modern diesel engines.
CH-4 oils also have longer drain intervals, meaning they can be used longer between oil changes than CF-4 oils.
Therefore, the quality of CH-4 is better than CF-4. CH-4 diesel engine oil is a more advanced and updated specification compared to CF-4 engine oil.
They are formulated to meet the requirements of modern diesel engines, including those equipped with emission control technology, and provide better overall protection and performance. If you have a newer diesel engine, it is generally recommended to use an oil that meets CH-4 or newer specifications to ensure optimal engine performance and service life while meeting emissions standards.
The CF-4 and CH-4 specifications are both API (American Petroleum Institute) classifications for diesel engine oils, but they are intended for different generations of diesel engines and have different performance requirements. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between CF-4 and CH-4:
- CF-4:
- CF-4 is an older API specification that was introduced in 1990.
- It is designed for use in high-speed, four-stroke diesel engines, particularly those equipped with turbochargers.
- CF-4 oils provide good performance in terms of wear protection, deposit control, and oxidation resistance.
- CF-4 oils typically have lower levels of dispersant and soot-handling capabilities compared to later specifications like CH-4 and CI-4.
- CH-4:
- CH-4 is a newer API specification that was introduced in 1998.
- It is formulated for use in modern, high-speed, four-stroke diesel engines, including those equipped with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems and operating with low sulfur diesel fuel.
- CH-4 oils offer improved performance compared to CF-4, particularly in terms of soot handling, wear protection, and oxidation resistance.
- CH-4 oils have higher levels of dispersant additives to handle the increased levels of soot generated by engines equipped with EGR systems.
In summary, while both CF-4 and CH-4 specifications are for diesel engine oils, CH-4 represents a more advanced formulation designed to meet the requirements of modern diesel engines, including those equipped with emissions control systems. CH-4 oils offer improved performance and protection compared to CF-4 oils, particularly in terms of soot handling and compatibility with newer engine technologies.
In essence, CH-4 is a more advanced API category than CF-4, offering superior performance in several key areas. It is backward compatible, meaning CH-4 oil can be used in engines originally requiring CF-4 oil. However, using CF-4 oil in an engine designed for CH-4 oil might not provide optimal protection due to the limitations of CF-4 in areas like oxidation control and dispersancy.
Here’s a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | CF-4 | CH-4 |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | 1991 | 1998 |
| Target Engine Applications | 1991 Diesel Engines | 1998 US EPA Diesel Engines (low sulfur fuel) |
| Key Improvements over CF-4 | – | Better oxidation control, dispersancy, viscosity shear stability, reduced volatility |
| Backward Compatibility | – | Yes (CH-4 can be used in CF-4 applications) |