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Lubrizol has launched its CV1700 Series of heavy-duty engine oil additive solutions ahead of the January 2027 introduction of the API CL-4 and API FB-4 categories. The new series is designed for next-generation diesel engine oil formulations across a broad range of viscosity grades and base oils.
Lubrizol has begun shipments of its CV1700 Series in North America, several months ahead of the first licensing date for the new API CL-4 and API FB-4 heavy-duty diesel engine oil categories.
The early availability is intended to give lubricant marketers and blenders additional time to complete formulations, qualification work and product planning before the new categories enter the market in January 2027.
The CV1700 Series is designed for formulations targeting API CL-4 and API FB-4 performance requirements, as well as selected heavy-duty OEM specifications for the North American market.
The new categories are intended to support the changing requirements of modern heavy-duty diesel engines. Lubrizol positions the series for both backward-compatible engine oils and lower-viscosity formulations aimed at newer engines.
The additive package is not itself an API-licensed finished lubricant. Rather, it is intended to support oil marketers in developing finished engine oils that can be qualified against the relevant specifications.
Lubrizol says the CV1700 Series can be formulated across a wide range of base-oil types, including Group II, Group II/III, Group III and PAO.
This flexibility is intended to give lubricant producers greater freedom in sourcing and blending, particularly where base-oil availability or supply-chain conditions vary between markets.
The series also covers multiple viscosity grades, including:
This allows the additive platform to support both traditional heavy-duty diesel applications and lower-viscosity formulations.
For bus and coach operators running diesel-powered fleets, changes in heavy-duty engine oil specifications can affect maintenance planning, lubricant sourcing and compatibility across different vehicle generations.
Backward-compatible formulations may be particularly relevant for mixed-age fleets, while lower-viscosity oils can support newer engine platforms designed around reduced friction and improved fuel efficiency.
The transition to API CL-4 and FB-4 will therefore have implications not only for lubricant manufacturers, but also for fleet operators, workshops and maintenance providers preparing for the next generation of heavy-duty diesel engine oils.
