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CA can refer to two different things in the context of automotive and engine terminology:

  1. API Classification for Diesel Engine Oil:
    • CA is an API (American Petroleum Institute) classification for diesel engine oils. This classification was widely used in the late 1940s and 1950s. Oils in this category were designed for use in diesel engines operating under mild to moderate duty conditions with high-quality fuels. These oils provided protection from bearing corrosion and ring-belt deposits in some naturally aspirated diesel engines, particularly when using fuels that did not impose unusual requirements for wear and deposit protection. CA oils were eventually replaced by CB-designated oils in 1949.
  2. Cab/Axle Abbreviation:
    • CA is also an abbreviation for Cab/Axle, which describes the distance from the rear of the cab to the rear axle of a vehicle. This measurement is important in vehicle design and modification, particularly for trucks and other commercial vehicles, as it affects the vehicle’s balance, stability, and load distribution.
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