Diesel Oil Premium Blend 15W-40 - Gallon | Sierra 18-9554-3

Sierra 18-9554-3 Diesel Oil Premium Blend 15W-40 | 1 Gallon | API CI-4+ | FC-W | Marine Diesel Engine Oil

Sierra #18-9554-3 is a premium blend conventional 15W-40 diesel engine oil formulated for marine diesel applications. API CI-4+ certified. NMMA FC-W rated for marine use. Delivers increased detergency to fight soot accumulation and carbon deposits in marine diesel engines. Meets major OEM specifications for Volvo, Cummins, Detroit Diesel, and Caterpillar marine diesel engines. Sold by the gallon.

Product Details:

• Part Number: 18-9554-3 (Sierra)
• SKU: SIERRA-18-9554-3
• Manufacturer: Sierra
• Type: Marine Diesel Engine Oil — Premium Blend (Conventional)
• Viscosity: 15W-40
• Size: 1 Gallon
• API Service Category: CI-4+
• NMMA Service Category: FC-W
• Base Oil Type: Conventional (premium blend)

OEM Specification Approvals:

• Volvo: VDS-3
• Cummins: CES20078, CES20077, CES20076
• Detroit Diesel: DDC93D214
• Caterpillar: ECF-2, ECF-1
• Global: DHD-1
• API: CI-4+
• NMMA: FC-W

Additional Information

API CI-4+ — What It Means:

API CI-4+ is a diesel engine oil service category established by the American Petroleum Institute for heavy-duty diesel engines, with enhanced requirements for soot control, oxidation stability, and protection against oil aeration and viscosity loss. CI-4+ exceeds CI-4 in soot handling capability — critical for diesel engines operating in marine environments where load cycles and operating temperatures vary. CI-4+ is backward compatible with CI-4, CH-4, CG-4, and CF-4 service categories.

NMMA FC-W — Marine-Specific Rating:

FC-W (Four-Cycle Water-cooled) is the National Marine Manufacturers Association's certification for four-cycle engine oils used in marine applications. FC-W addresses the specific demands of raw water-cooled marine engines — including resistance to corrosion from water contamination, shear stability under marine operating conditions, and compatibility with marine engine seals and materials. The Sierra 18-9554-3 carries FC-W certification, confirming it is appropriate for marine diesel applications.

15W-40 Viscosity — Marine Diesel Applications:

15W-40 is the most widely specified viscosity grade for heavy-duty diesel engines across most operating temperature ranges. The "15W" (winter) rating indicates cold-start flow characteristics; the "40" indicates high-temperature viscosity at operating temperature. 15W-40 is appropriate for most marine diesel installations in temperate to warm climates. Confirm the correct viscosity specification in your engine's service manual before use — some marine diesel engines specify different viscosity grades for extreme cold or high-temperature operation.

OEM Specification Coverage — Volvo, Cummins, Detroit Diesel, CAT:

The Sierra 18-9554-3 meets or exceeds the following OEM specifications:

• Volvo VDS-3 — Volvo Penta diesel engines requiring VDS-3 specification
• Cummins CES20078, CES20077, CES20076 — Cummins marine diesel engines across multiple CES specification tiers
• Detroit Diesel DDC93D214 — Detroit Diesel marine engines requiring DDC93D214 specification
• Caterpillar ECF-2, ECF-1 — Caterpillar marine diesel engines requiring ECF-rated oil
• Global DHD-1 — Global Diesel Heavy Duty specification tier 1

Always confirm your engine's required oil specification in the engine service manual before use.

Premium Blend — Conventional Base Oil:

The Sierra 18-9554-3 is a premium blend conventional oil — not full synthetic. Most marine diesel engines that specify 15W-40 accept conventional or premium blend oils; some newer high-performance engines may specify full synthetic. Confirm your engine OEM's oil type specification before use.

Installation Notes:

• Confirm required viscosity grade and OEM specification in your engine's service manual before use
• Change oil at OEM-recommended intervals — do not extend drain intervals beyond engine manufacturer's specification
• Dispose of used oil per local regulations — do not discharge into bilge or overboard

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What engines is this oil approved for?
The Sierra 18-9554-3 meets OEM specifications for Volvo Penta (VDS-3), Cummins (CES20078/77/76), Detroit Diesel (DDC93D214), and Caterpillar (ECF-2, ECF-1) marine diesel engines. Always confirm your engine's required specification in the service manual before use.

2. Is this a synthetic or conventional oil?
Premium blend conventional — not full synthetic. Confirm whether a premium conventional blend meets your engine OEM's specification before use if synthetic is required.

3. What does FC-W certification mean?
FC-W (Four-Cycle Water-cooled) is the NMMA's marine-specific certification for four-cycle engine oils. It addresses corrosion resistance, shear stability, and seal compatibility requirements specific to marine diesel engines — distinct from standard automotive diesel oil ratings.

4. Can I use this oil in a Volvo Penta diesel?
Yes — the Sierra 18-9554-3 meets Volvo VDS-3 specification. Confirm your specific Volvo Penta engine model requires VDS-3 in the Volvo Penta service manual before use.

5. Is 15W-40 the right viscosity for my marine diesel?
15W-40 is the most common specification for heavy-duty marine diesel engines in temperate to warm operating conditions. Confirm the correct viscosity grade in your engine's service manual — some engines specify different grades for extreme cold or high-temperature operation.