Low ash engine oils have been around for nearly twenty years. But they can’t meet the demands of today’s diesel emissions regulations. Which Tier 4 Final Oil is proven to do the job? Chevron’s Delo 600 ADF Heavy-Duty Engine Oil is the one solution.
Quick Refresher: What is the Tier 4 Final Regulation, and How Can You Meet or Exceed It?
The EPA’s Tier 4 Final Diesel Engine Rule for off-road diesel engines integrates fuel and engine controls to produce notable emission reductions. Your fleet of dozers, loaders, tractors, excavators, and all manner of construction and ag equipment is expected to employ exhaust aftertreatment technologies to limit the causes of ozone—particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)—that are released into the air.
The EPA granted CARB (California’s Air Resources Board) to enforce the 2022 Off-Road Regulation. Engine emission standards into Tiers, with Tier 4 engines of between 100 and 175 HP now under target for emission controls.
On January 1st of 2026:
- Every fleet must phase out the oldest and highest PM-producing engines.
- Only engines in the Tier 4 Final category can be added to medium and large fleets, and Tier 4 Interim engines can be added to small fleets.
Through advancements in engine technology, engine manufacturers for lighter-duty Tier 2 and Tier 3 engines were able to meet the new standards, but the heavy-duty Tier 4 engine final regulation required exhaust after-treatment to meet standards that declare the following to be fully operational:
- Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)—Traps soot particles, which are incinerated at certain intervals during engine operation.
- Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)–Reduces NOx by recycling a small amount of cooled gas back into the combustion chamber.
- Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)—Combines exhaust gases with diesel emissions fluid (DEF) to break down NOx into nitrogen and water.
Read more about off-road CARB regulation
Ash vs. Soot: What Actually Clogs DPFs?
In a nutshell, soot is the stuff that can be burned off, and ash is the non-combustible material that gums up DPFs. The main cause of ash formation is metallic additives found in heavy-duty engine oils.
What are the real-world costs of ash accumulation in the DPF?
Lower Fuel Efficiency
More regen cycles and increased backpressure result in an estimated 5% total fuel consumption or approximately $1.6 million across a 200-truck fleet.
More Frequent DPF Cleanings
More incombustible ash requires more cleaning, adding up to approximately $500 per cleaning and $25 thousand per year across a 200-truck fleet.
DPF Repairs and Replacements
DPF damage is harder to avoid when it is under heavy strain, costing an average of $1.5 thousand for a remanufactured DPF and up to $7 thousand to replace it altogether.
More Necessary Maintenance
Labor and service of DPFs are more frequent, adding up to some $200 thousand across an entire 200-truck fleet.
Loss of Contracts, Business, and Reputation
Downtime, missed deadlines, and negative word of mouth are recipes for business disaster.
What Can Chevron’s Low-Ash Delo 600 ADF Do For Your Business?
When there’s less ash accumulation in the DPF, you get more fuel savings. You’ll experience reduced backpressure, fewer active or forced regenerations, longer intervals between services, more miles on the road, and a longer lifespan for your engines and your fleet.
The first diesel oil based on ultra-low ash (ULA) technology was developed by Chevron. Their patented OMNIMAX® formula passed exhaustive testing to prove the same effective wear protection and oxidation stability as conventional additives, while significantly increasing uptime and reducing operating expenses.
Multi-level performance advantages include:
- At least 2.5 times the DPF service life extension
- 1.7 times longer oil drain interval extension
- As much as 4.2% better fuel economy retention
The research is in: Chevron’s Delo 600 ADF off-road engine oil provides superior protection for the long haul.
Delo® 600 ADF off-road engine oil is THE ONLY Tier 4 Final Oil that prevents DPF ash formation. Ask our RV Jensen fuel consultants for the specific Delo grade your machines need. And because CARB is now mandating the use of R99 or R100 renewable diesel for ALL FLEETS, also invite us to recommend the best renewable diesel fuels to fit your equipment and your job.
We’ll deliver fuel to your job site or company yard with our small batch bobtail fuel delivery. Let us quote you a better price for your fuel. RV Jensen fuel consultants are just a phone call away at 800-366-8210.