TM 5-3895-383-24 Synthetic Base Stock Oils SMCS Code:  7000; 7581 Synthetic   base   oils   are   acceptable   for   use   in   Caterpillar engines  and  in  Caterpillar  machines  if  these  oils  meet  the performance  requirements  that  am  specified  for  a  particular compartment.      Each   compartment   has   specific   lubrication specifications in order to ensure proper lubrication and life of the system. Synthetic base oils generally perform better than conventional oils in the following two areas: Synthetic     base     oils     have     improved     flow     at     low temperatures especially in arctic conditions. Synthetic  base  oils  have  improved  oxidation  stability especially at high operating temperatures. Some  synthetic  base  oils  have  performance  characteristics that  enhance  the  service  life  of  the  oil.    However,  Caterpillar does   not   recommend   automatic   extending   of   the   oil   drain intervals  for  any  type  of  oil.    Oil  drain  intervals  for  Caterpillar diesel   engines   can   only   be   adjusted   after   an   oil   analysis program that contains the following data: Oil condition and wear meal analysis (Caterpillar SOS Oil Analysis) Trend analysis Fuel consumption Oil consumption Re-refined Base Stock Oils SMCS Code:  7000; 7581 Re-refined   base   oils   are   acceptable   for   use   in   Caterpillar engines  and  in  Caterpillar  machines  if  these  oils  meet  the performance  requirements  that  are  specified  for  a  particular compartment.        Each    compartment    has    requirements    for lubrication  and  requirements  for  lubrication  specifications  in order to ensure proper lubrication and lie of the system.  Re- refined base oils can be used exclusively in finished oil or in a combination     with     new     base     oils.          The     U.S.     military specifications and the specifications of other heavy equipment manufacturers  also  allow  the  use  of  re-refined  base  oils  that meet the same criteria. The   process   that   is   used   to   make   re-refined   oil   should adequately  remove  all  wear  metals  that  were  in  the  used  oil and all additives that were in the used oil.  Vacuum distillation and the hydrotreating of used oil are acceptable processes that are   used   for   producing   a   re-refined   base   oil.      Filtering   is inadequate  for  the  production  of  high  quality,  re-refined  base oils from used oil. Aftermarket Oil Additives SMCS Code:  7000; 7581 Caterpillar    does    not    recommend    the    use    of    aftermarket additives in oil.  It is not necessary to use aftermarket additives in order to achieve the machine's maximum service life or rated performance.    Fully  formulated,  finished  oils  consist  of  base oils  and  of  commercial  additive  packages.    These  additive packages     are     blended     into     the     base     oils     at     precise percentages in order to provide finished oils with performance characteristics that meet industry standards. There    are    no    industry    standard    tests    that    evaluate    the performance of aftermarket additives in oil.  There are also no industry standard tests that evaluate the compatibility of these aftermarket  additives  in  a  finished  oil.    Aftermarket  additives may not be compatible with the finished oil's additive package, which  could  lower  the  performance  of  the  finished  oil.    The aftermarket additive could fail to mix with the finished oil.  This could   produce   sludge.      Caterpillar   discourages   the   use   of aftermarket additives in finished oils. To  achieve  the  best  performance  from  a  Caterpillar  engine, conform to the following guidelines: Select the proper Caterpillar oil or a commercial oil that meets the specifications of the compartment. See   the   appropriate   "Lubricant   Viscosities"   table   in order   to   find   the   correct   oil   viscosity   grade   for   your machine. At  the  specified  interval,  service  the  engine  or  service the compartment.  Use new oil and install a new oil filter. Perform maintenance at the intervals that are specified in the Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Maintenance Interval Schedule". Maintenance Section Lubricant Specifications 1-47