As the global automotive industry pivots toward a greener future, China is preparing to implement its most ambitious regulatory framework to date: the China VII (National VII) emission regulation. Expected to be released soon, these regulations represent a significant leap in environmental stringency, placing immense pressure on original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and lubricant providers to innovate.

The Challenge: Cold Start and PN10

The upcoming China VII standards shift the focus toward real-world driving conditions, with a particular emphasis on two critical areas:

Cold Start NOx Emissions: Heavy-duty engines traditionally struggle to manage NOx during the initial warming phase when aftertreatment systems are not yet at optimal temperature.
PN10 Particle Limits: While previous standards focused on larger particulates, China VII introduces strict limits on PN10 (particles as small as 10 nanometers), requiring more sophisticated filtration and engine management.

Lubrizol’s Solution: Advanced CK-4 Technology

In anticipation of these hurdles, Lubrizol has leveraged its chemical expertise to develop a next-generation CK-4 specification lubricant. This product is engineered with a specialized low-ash, low-phosphorus (Low-SAPS) additive package specifically designed to protect modern after-treatment systems.

The real-world performance of this technology has been validated through extensive field trial. The results demonstrate a dual benefit:

Extended Drain Intervals: The lubricant maintains its protective properties throughout the recommended oil drain interval, ensuring operational efficiency for fleet owners.
Superior DPF Protection: Most notably, compared to traditional CK-4 products over the same mileage, Lubrizol’s formulation significantly reduces Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) ash accumulation. By minimizing ash buildup, the system maintains lower backpressure, which translates to better fuel economy and a longer lifespan for the expensive DPF hardware.

Collaborative Innovation: The PN10 Bench Test

Beyond fluid chemistry, Lubrizol is actively shaping the technical infrastructure required to measure compliance. Recognizing that PN10 emissions are notoriously difficult to track accurately, Lubrizol has collaborated with major Chinese OEMs and leading third-party laboratories to develop a standardized on-line engine test. This collaborative effort provides a reliable, repeatable framework for measuring ultra-fine particles in real-time.

Navigating China VII: How Lubrizol Is Advancing Lubricant Innovation for a Cleaner Future