TM 5-3895-346-14
FUEL AND OIL SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE OVERHAUL
experience with current lubricants of various types and give consideration to the commercial lubricants
presently available.
RECOMMENDATION
Detroit Diesel engines have given optimum performance and experienced the longest service life with the
following oil performance levels having the ash limits and zinc requirements shown.
15W-40 MULTIGRADE LUBE OIL
Detroit Diesel Allison now approves and recommends the use of the new generation 15W-40 lubrication oils,
providing the following ash limits, zinc requirements, oil performance levels, and conditions are met:
1. The sulfated ash (ASTM D-874) content of the lubricant shall not exceed 1.000% by weight, except
lubricants that contain only barium detergent-dispersant salts where 1.5% by weight is allowed.
2. The lubricant shall meet the performance requirements shown in API Service Classifications CD/SE.
3. The zinc content (zinc diorganodithiophosphate) of all the lubricants recommended for use in Detroit
Diesel engines shall be a minimum of 0.07% by weight. However, the zinc requirement is waived where EMD
lubricants are used.
4. Evidence of satisfactory performance in Detroit Diesel engines has been shown to the customer and to
Detroit Diesel Allison by the oil supplier.
10W-30, 20W-40 & OTHER MULTIGRADE OILS
Detriot Diesel Allison does NOT approve any multigrade oils, except the new generation 15W-40 lubricants
previously described. Although lubricants such as 10W-30 and 20W-40 are commercially available, the
performance of their additive systems has not been demonstrated in Detroit Diesel engines. Since properties
such as sulfated ash are affected in formulating these multigrade compounds, their use cannot be approved.
SAE-40 & SAE-30 SINGLE GRADE LUBRICANTS
Detroit Diesel Allison continues to approve SAE-40 and SAE-30 lube oils, providing they meet the 1.000%
maximum sulfated ash limit, the 0.07% by weight minimum zinc content, and the following API Service
Classifications:
API Letter
Code Service
Military
SAE
Class.
Specification
Grade
CB
MIL-L-2104A
(Supplement 1)
40 or 30
CC
MIL-L-2104B
40 or 30
CD/SC
MIL-L-2104C
40 or 30
CD
MIL-L-45199B
(Series 3)
40 or 30
CC/SE
MIL-L-46152
40 or 30
Numerous
Universal
40 or 30
MIL-L-46167 ARCTIC LUBE OILS FOR NORTHR SLOPE & OTHER EXTREME SUB-ZERO OPERATIONS
Lubricants meeting this specification are used in Alaska and other extreme sub-zero locations. Generally, they
may be described as 5W-20 multigrade lubricants made up of synthetic base stock and manifesting low
volatility characteristics. Although they have been used successfully in some severe cold regions, Detroit
Diesel Allison -does not consider their use as desirable as the use of 15W-40 (new generation), SAE-40, or
SAE-30 oils with auxiliary heating aids. For this reason, they should be considered only where engine cranking
is a severe problem and auxiliary heating aids are not available on the engine.
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