Diesel Engine Oil Selection Guide
The right heavy-duty diesel engine oil depends on three things: the API / ACEA category your engine requires, the SAE viscosity grade for your coldest start-up temperature, and your OEM approvals. This guide compares the SINOPEC TULUX diesel engine oils sold by BuySinopec in Canada so fleets, contractors and farms can choose quickly.
Quick answer: For most trucks, buses and off-road equipment, TULUX T700 15W-40 (API CK-4, ACEA E11) is the standard choice. For colder Canadian winters or better fuel economy, step down to T700 10W-30. For the longest drain intervals and the widest European OEM coverage, choose full-synthetic TULUX L1500 10W-40. All are low-SAPS oils safe for DPF, SCR and EGR systems and backward compatible with older engines.
What CK-4, E11 and Low-SAPS Mean
| Term | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| API CK-4 | The current API category for heavy-duty diesel engine oils | Designed for 2017+ on-highway diesel engines; backward compatible with CJ-4, CI-4 Plus, CI-4, CH-4 and earlier |
| ACEA E11 / E9 / E8 | European heavy-duty diesel categories for low-emission engines | Needed by European engines (Volvo, Mack, MAN, Renault, Mercedes) |
| Low SAPS | Low sulphated ash, phosphorus and sulphur | Protects diesel particulate filters (DPF) and SCR catalysts from ash plugging |
| HTHS viscosity | Oil film strength at 150°C under high shear | Higher HTHS means stronger bearing and ring protection under load |
| TBN | Total base number: reserve to neutralize acids | Higher TBN holds up better over long drain intervals |
The SINOPEC TULUX Diesel Engine Oil Lineup
TULUX T700 15W-40
- Synthetic Technology (hydrocracked) base oils
- HTHS 4.15 cP, TBN 9.6, pour point −43°C
- Cold-start rated to −20°C (SAE grade)
- Best for: mixed fleets, trucks, construction and farm equipment
TULUX T700 10W-30
- Synthetic Technology (hydrocracked) base oils
- HTHS 3.56 cP, TBN 9.55, pour point −42°C
- Cold-start rated to −25°C (SAE grade)
- Best for: winter operation, fuel economy, engines specifying 10W-30
TULUX L1500 10W-40
- Full synthetic base oil, TBN 13.5
- Cold-start rated to −25°C (SAE grade)
- Adds Renault RLD-4, MTU 3.1, Daimler 15C110/15C120, Voith Class B
- Best for: extended drain intervals, European engines, severe duty
TULUX T700 5W-40
- Full synthetic base oil
- TBN 11, pour point −44°C
- Cold-start rated to −30°C (SAE grade)
- Adds Allison TES-439 and MB 228.31
- Best for: northern operations, year-round outdoor fleets
Choose Your Grade by Cold-Start Temperature
The "W" number tells you how cold the oil can still crank and pump. Pick the grade rated for the coldest temperature your equipment starts in without a block heater.
Cold-crank temperatures follow the SAE J300 rating for each W grade. Always follow your engine manufacturer's viscosity recommendation.
Technical Comparison
| Parameter | T700 15W-40 | T700 10W-30 | L1500 10W-40 | T700 5W-40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base oil | Synthetic Technology | Synthetic Technology | Full synthetic | Full synthetic |
| API | CK-4 and earlier; SN | CK-4 and earlier | CK-4 and earlier; SN | CK-4 and earlier; SN |
| ACEA | E11 | E11 | E11, E8, E7, E4 | E9, E7 |
| Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt | 14.65 | 12.1 | 15.0 | 14.37 |
| Cold crank (CCS), cP | 5,937 @ −20°C | 6,385 @ −25°C | 6,720 @ −30°C | 6,260 @ −30°C |
| Pumpability (MRV), cP | 14,900 @ −25°C | 15,900 @ −30°C | 20,200 @ −35°C | 31,300 @ −35°C |
| HTHS @ 150°C, cP | 4.15 | 3.56 | — | 3.9 |
| TBN, mg KOH/g | 9.6 | 9.55 | 13.5 | 11 |
| Pour point, °C | −43 | −42 | — | −44 |
| Flash point COC, °C | 233 | 230 | — | 231 |
Typical values from SINOPEC Product Data Sheets; "—" means not stated on the data sheet.
OEM Specifications
| OEM | T700 15W-40 / 10W-30 | L1500 10W-40 | T700 5W-40 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cummins | CES 20086 / 20081 | CES 20086 / 20081 | CES 20086 / 20081 |
| Caterpillar | ECF-3 / ECF-2 | ECF-3 / ECF-2 | ECF-3 / ECF-2 |
| Detroit | 93K222 / 93K218 | 93K222 | 93K222 / 93K218 |
| Mack | EO-S 4.5 | EOS-4.5 | EO-S 4.5 |
| Volvo | VDS-4.5 / 4 / 3 | VDS-4.5 | VDS-4.5 / 4 / 3 |
| Daimler / Mercedes | DTFR 15C100 | DTFR 15C100 / 15C110 / 15C120 | MB 228.31 |
| MAN | 3775 | 3775 / 3477 | M3575 |
| MTU | Category 2.1 | Category 2.1 / 3.1 | Category 2.1 |
| Renault | RLD-3 | RLD-4 | RLD-3 |
| Deutz | DQC III-10 LA | DQC IV-18 LA | — |
| Ford | WSS-M2C171-F1 | — | WSS-M2C171-F1 |
| Allison | — | — | TES-439 |
| Voith | — | Class B | — |
SINOPEC states each oil meets the performance requirements of the specifications listed. "—" means not listed on the data sheet.
How TULUX T700 Compares with Shell Rotella
Many Canadian fleets run Shell Rotella. Based on each maker's published data sheets, TULUX T700 sits in the same tier: same API CK-4 category, the same core truck approvals and comparable viscometrics.
| 15W-40 | TULUX T700 | Rotella T4 | Rotella T5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base oil (as stated) | Synthetic Technology | Synthetic Blend | Premium Synthetic Blend |
| Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt | 14.65 | 15.0 | 14.9 |
| TBN, mg KOH/g | 9.6 | 10.1 | 8.5 |
| Pour point, °C | −43 | −36 | −37 |
| Flash point, °C | 233 | 234 | 251 |
| ACEA | E11 | E9, E11 | E9, E11 |
| Cummins · Cat · Detroit · Mack · Volvo · Ford · MTU · Daimler | Listed | Listed | Listed |
| Renault RLD-3 | Listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Allison TES-439 · JASO DH-2 | Not listed | Listed | Listed |
| 5W-40 | TULUX T700 | Rotella T6 |
|---|---|---|
| Base oil | Full synthetic | Full synthetic |
| Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt | 14.37 | 14.9 |
| Cold crank @ −30°C, cP | 6,260 | 6,300 |
| TBN, mg KOH/g | 11 | 10.2 |
| Pour point, °C | −44 | −51 |
| ACEA | E9, E7 | E9 |
| MTU 2.1 · Renault RLD-3 | Listed | Not listed |
| JASO DH-2 | Not listed | Listed |
Typical values from the SINOPEC TULUX T700 data sheets and Shell Rotella T4/T5 (2024–2025) and Rotella T6 5W-40 (v1.6, 2017) technical data sheets; Shell sheets may have been updated since. "Not listed" means the item does not appear on that data sheet, not that the oil fails it. Shell and Rotella are trademarks of their respective owners; BuySinopec is not affiliated with Shell. Always follow your equipment manual.
How to Choose
- Mixed fleet, trucks, construction and farm equipment → T700 15W-40
- Cold winters, fuel economy, engines that call for 10W-30 → T700 10W-30
- Extended drains, European engines, mining and severe duty → L1500 10W-40
- Northern Canada, equipment parked outdoors, fleets needing Allison TES-439 → T700 5W-40 (on request)
Packaging
Running a fleet or need bulk delivery? Request a quote or browse all diesel engine oil.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does API CK-4 mean?
API CK-4 is the current American Petroleum Institute category for heavy-duty diesel engine oil, introduced in December 2016 for 2017 and newer low-emission engines. CK-4 oils are backward compatible, so they can be used in engines that call for CJ-4, CI-4 Plus, CI-4, CH-4 and earlier categories.
Is TULUX T700 safe for engines with DPF and SCR?
Yes. TULUX T700 and L1500 are low-SAPS oils designed for engines with EGR, diesel particulate filters (DPF) and SCR, meeting Euro V/VI emission requirements. They are also suitable for engines running biodiesel.
Should I use 15W-40 or 10W-30 in Canada?
15W-40 is rated for cold cranking down to −20°C and suits most equipment with block heaters or in milder regions. 10W-30 is rated to −25°C, starts easier in winter and can improve fuel economy. Check your engine manual for the approved grades.
Is TULUX T700 a synthetic oil?
TULUX T700 5W-40 and TULUX L1500 10W-40 are full synthetic. TULUX T700 15W-40 and 10W-30 use SINOPEC Synthetic Technology: highly refined hydrocracked base oils that approach full synthetic performance.
Is TULUX T700 15W-40 comparable to Shell Rotella T4?
Based on published data sheets, TULUX T700 15W-40 is in the same API CK-4 tier as Rotella T4 and T5, with comparable viscosity and the same core approvals from Cummins, Caterpillar, Detroit, Mack and Volvo. Always confirm the specific approval your engine requires.
Where can I buy SINOPEC diesel engine oil in Canada?
BuySinopec is the authorized Canadian distributor of SINOPEC lubricants. TULUX diesel engine oils are available in 18L pails, pallets of 36 pails, 200L drums and 1000L totes.
Data compiled from SINOPEC Product Data Sheets (PDS) for reference only. Refer to the latest PDS and your engine manufacturer's recommendations for final specifications.