Volvo Drain Specification · Engine Oil

Volvo VDS-4.5: The D11, D13 and D16 Oil Spec Explained

Volvo VDS-4.5 is Volvo's own heavy-duty engine oil specification, built on API CK-4. It's the spec to run in every 2010-and-newer Volvo D11, D13 and D16 in Class 8 tractor-trailers. On 2021 and newer fuel-efficient D13s, Volvo recommends VDS-5 and keeps VDS-4.5 as the minimum.

Last reviewed: October 2026 · Based on the Volvo Trucks body builder manual (engine oil section), Volvo approved oils bulletin PV776-89091965 and AMSOIL data sheets G3467 and G3468

Volvo VDS-4.5 is Volvo's API CK-4-based engine oil spec for the D11, D13 and D16. It replaced VDS-4 and works in every 2010-and-newer Volvo engine. VDS-5 is Volvo's newer spec, paired with API FA-4, for 2021+ fuel-efficient D13s only. VDS-5 oil isn't backward compatible, but VDS-4.5 oil still meets Volvo's minimum on those engines. AMSOIL Signature Series Max-Duty lists Volvo VDS-4.5.

Shop DTT 10W-30 → VDS-4.5 or VDS-5? ↓

CK-4

API Base
Category

3.5 cP

Minimum HTHS
(API CK-4)

2010+

Volvo Engines
Covered

VDS-5

2021+ FE D13
Only

D11 · D13 · D16

All Covered by Volvo VDS-4.5

Critical — Read First

Volvo VDS-4.5 vs VDS-5: Which Does Your Volvo Need?

Every 2010-and-newer Volvo D11, D13 and D16 can run VDS-4.5 (CK-4). On 2021 and newer fuel-efficient D13s, Volvo recommends VDS-5 and keeps VDS-4.5 as the minimum. VDS-5 oil goes in those engines only.

Every Volvo 2010+

VDS-4.5 — CK-4

API BaseCK-4
Minimum HTHS3.5 cP
EnginesD11, D13, D16
Older SpecsVDS-4 (CJ-4 era), VDS-3
AMSOILDTT, DME, DEO, DHD

2021+ Fuel-Efficient D13 Only

VDS-5 — Paired with FA-4

API PairingFA-4 (Volvo body builder manual)
ViscosityLower than VDS-4.5
Engines2021+ fuel-efficient D13
Older Engines?No — not backward compatible
AMSOILNone — AMSOIL has no VDS-5 oil

⚠ Keep VDS-5 oil out of older Volvos. Its lower viscosity drops oil pressure, which can trigger low oil pressure warnings in engines built before 2021. A VDS-4.5 oil works in every 2010-and-newer Volvo, including the 2021+ D13.

The Spec

What Does Volvo VDS-4.5 Require?

VDS-4.5 starts with API CK-4 and adds Volvo's own engine testing. VDS stands for Volvo Drain Specification: the extra testing is what lets Volvo publish long drain intervals on oils that meet it. Like every CK-4 oil, a VDS-4.5 oil has a minimum high-temperature high-shear viscosity of 3.5 cP.

Volvo Spec	API Pairing	Engines	Mack Equivalent
VDS-5	API FA-4	2021+ fuel-efficient D13 only	EOS-5.0
VDS-4.5	API CK-4	Every 2010+ D11, D13, D16	EOS-4.5
VDS-4	API CJ-4 era	Older spec, replaced by VDS-4.5	EO-O Premium Plus
VDS-3	Pre-2007 era	Older engines	—

The Volvo body builder manual pairs VDS-4.5 with API CK-4 and VDS-5.0 with API FA-4. Mack runs its own parallel specs; see Mack EOS-4.5.

Approved Oils

Where Is the Volvo VDS-4.5 Approved Oils List?

Volvo publishes approved engine oils in its Approved Oils bulletin, PV776-89091965. Any Volvo dealer parts counter can pull the current revision. VDS-4.5 is the spec to run in every 2010-and-newer Volvo D11, D13 and D16. AMSOIL Signature Series Max-Duty 15W-40 (DME) is formulated to meet Volvo VDS-4.5.

On 2021+ fuel-efficient D13s, Volvo recommends VDS-5 but still accepts VDS-4.5 as the minimum. VDS-5 oils are not backward compatible: the lower oil pressure throws warnings in older engines. For anything 2010–2020, VDS-4.5 is the spec, and Max-Duty gives you more margin than it requires: 6X more wear protection than Detroit's DD13 scuffing test demands, and up to 76% less oil consumption than API CK-4 allows. Running a fleet of Volvos? Pull a sample from your hardest-working truck and I'll go through the report with you.

Shop Max-Duty 15W-40 (DME) → Get an Oil Analysis Kit → Fleet Pricing: Open a Commercial Account →

Drain Intervals

Volvo Oil Change Intervals on VDS-4.5 Oil

Volvo publishes 60,000 miles in normal duty, 45,000 in heavy duty and 35,000 in severe duty for 2011-and-newer D11 and D13 engines with the 42-litre pan, using Volvo's own VDS-4.5 Premium oil. With other VDS-4.5 oils, check your operator's manual.

Engine	Normal	Heavy	Severe
D11 / D13 (42 L pan)	60,000 mi	45,000 mi	35,000 mi
D16	65,000 mi	55,000 mi	45,000 mi

Going past Volvo's interval? Do it on oil analysis. A good synthetic gives you more margin inside the interval; going beyond it takes data from your own truck.

Every OEM's Interval in One Table →

AMSOIL Oils That List Volvo VDS-4.5

Every AMSOIL Signature Series Max-Duty and Heavy-Duty diesel oil lists Volvo VDS-4.5, VDS-4 and VDS-3, along with Mack EOS-4.5. Volvo recommends 10W-30 for the D13, so the Red Seal tech pick for D11 and D13 is Max-Duty 10W-30 (DTT). For a D16 or heavy haul, run Max-Duty 15W-40 (DME).

D11 & D13 — Red Seal Tech Pick

AMSOIL Signature Series Max-Duty

10W-30 · DTT · API CK-4

Lists Volvo VDS-4.5, VDS-4, VDS-3
Volvo's recommended D13 grade
HTHS 3.5, meets the CK-4 minimum

Shop DTT 10W-30 →

D16 & Heavy Haul

AMSOIL Signature Series Max-Duty

15W-40 · DME · API CK-4

Lists Volvo VDS-4.5, VDS-4, VDS-3
6X more wear protection than the DD13 scuffing test requires
HTHS 4.5, the thickest film in the line

Shop DME 15W-40 →

Cold Weather

AMSOIL Signature Series Max-Duty

5W-40 · DEO · API CK-4

Lists Volvo VDS-4.5, VDS-4, VDS-3
Cold cranking to −30°C vs −20°C for 15W-40

Shop DEO 5W-40 →

"Lists" vs "approved": AMSOIL's data sheets list Volvo VDS-4.5 among the specs its oils are for. If a warranty or lease requires a product from Volvo's own approved list, check bulletin PV776-89091965 for the exact product. Running Volvos alongside other makes? One oil for a mixed fleet →

FAQ

Volvo VDS-4.5 — Common Questions

From owner-operators, fleet managers and shop techs running Volvo-powered Class 8 trucks and transport trucks across North America.

What is Volvo VDS-4.5?

Volvo VDS-4.5 is Volvo's own heavy-duty engine oil specification, built on API CK-4 with Volvo's own engine testing on top. VDS stands for Volvo Drain Specification. It's the spec to run in every 2010-and-newer Volvo D11, D13 and D16, and it replaced VDS-4.

Is VDS-4.5 the same as API CK-4?

No. VDS-4.5 starts with API CK-4 and adds Volvo's own engine tests, so every VDS-4.5 oil is a CK-4 oil, but not every CK-4 oil meets VDS-4.5. Check that the oil lists Volvo VDS-4.5.

What is the difference between VDS-4.5 and VDS-5?

VDS-4.5 is paired with API CK-4 and covers every 2010-and-newer Volvo D11, D13 and D16. VDS-5 is Volvo's newer, lower-viscosity spec, paired with API FA-4 in Volvo's body builder manual, for 2021 and newer fuel-efficient D13s only. On those engines Volvo recommends VDS-5 and keeps VDS-4.5 as the minimum.

Can I use VDS-5 oil in an older Volvo?

No. VDS-5 oil is for 2021 and newer fuel-efficient D13s only. It isn't backward compatible: its lower viscosity can trigger low oil pressure warnings in older engines. Older Volvos stay on VDS-4.5.

Can I use VDS-4.5 oil in a 2021 or newer Volvo D13?

Yes. Volvo recommends VDS-5 on 2021 and newer fuel-efficient D13s but keeps VDS-4.5 as the minimum, so a VDS-4.5 oil is acceptable in those engines.

Where is the Volvo VDS-4.5 approved oils list?

Volvo publishes approved engine oils in its Approved Oils bulletin, PV776-89091965. Any Volvo dealer parts counter can pull the current revision. Check it if your warranty or lease requires an oil from Volvo's own list.

Does AMSOIL make a VDS-4.5 oil?

Yes. Every AMSOIL Signature Series Max-Duty diesel oil, including 10W-30 (DTT), 15W-40 (DME), 5W-40 (DEO) and 5W-30 (DHD), lists Volvo VDS-4.5, VDS-4 and VDS-3, as do the Heavy-Duty Synthetic Diesel Oils (ADN, ADO, ADP). AMSOIL does not make a VDS-5 or FA-4 oil.