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What does SF mean on motor oil?
An API service rating of “SF” means the oil meets all new car warranty requirements for 1981 and newer models. “SE” means the oil is usable in all 1972-1980 vehicles. “SD” means the oil is good for all 1968-1971 cars.
What is SAE 30 SF oil?
SAE 30 is an oil that has a viscosity of 30 at overly high temperatures. The 10W30, on the other hand, has a grade 10 viscosity at low temperatures and grade 30 viscosity when the temperature is high.
What does SAE and API stand for when referring to oil?
SAE is the Society Of Automotive Engineers (USA). The SAE rating of an oil is a measure of its viscosity (eg 20W50). API is the American Petroleum Institute. The API rating of an engine oil covers the performance rating of the oil (e.g. SM for petrol, CF for diesel).
What is API service classification for oil?
The service rating of passenger car and commercial automotive motor oils is classified by the American Petroleum Institute (API). The program certifies that an oil meets certain Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) quality and performance standards.
Can I use API SN instead of API SG?
SN oils provide higher levels of performance than all the other “S” oils. API Categories SA through SH are obsolete, and oils labelled SN can be used in their place.
What is API SL engine oil?
SL. 2001 Gasoline Engine Service. Category SL was adopted to describe engine oils for use in 2001. It is for use in service typical of gasoline engines in present and earlier passenger cars, sports utility vehicles, vans and light trucks operating under vehicle manufacturers recommended maintenance procedures.
What is API of engine oil?
The API Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System provides a simple designation of letters and numbers that allows engine manufacturers and oil marketers to clearly provide users with the information they need to ensure that the proper oil is selected for an engine.
Is API SN higher than SG?
Is API SN higher than SG? As explained earlier, the higher the letter, the more recent and a higher specification would supersede the lower ones. API SN to SJ are for the most recent cars, API SH to SA for the older cars. In this case, you need API SL, so an API SJ, lower, cannot be good.
What is API oil?
American Petroleum Institute
The American Petroleum Institute, API, is a U.S.A trade association for the oil and natural gas industry.
What is API engine oil?
API stands for the American Petroleum Institute. The organization evaluates every blend of motor oil. It assigns an API rating to motor oil blends that meet ILSAC’s current standards. ILSAC stands for International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee.
What is the highest API service rating for oil?
SM
The API’s current highest rating for motor oil is SM. This oil is intended for all gasoline engines currently in use and has been the standard since 2004. For diesel engines, the current top oil rating is CI-4.
What is the best API service classification for automotive engine oil?
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America
| American Petroleum Institute Gasoline Engine Oil Service Classifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Status | Service |
| SM | Current | For 2010 and older automotive engines. |
| SL | Current | For 2004 and older automotive engines. |
| SJ | Current | For 2001 and older automotive engines. |
What’s the difference between SAE 5W and 5W 30?
Today, the most common grades are 5W-30. Whereas the labeling on the bottle of engine oil may suggest the product is a 5W-30, note, if there is no “W” between the 5 and the 30 it may not be a 5W-30. As an example, a 5-30 is not the same as an SAE 5W-30. The next “code” to look for is the API Service Classification.
How is engine oil classified by the API?
The service rating of passenger car and commercial automotive motor oils is classified by the American Petroleum Institute (API). The program certifies that engine oil meets certain Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) quality and performance standards. The service rating is shown in the API “Service Symbol Donut” on the product label.
When did API change oil classification to SN plus?
On November 9, 2017, the API Lubricants Standards Group approved the adoption of SN PLUS, a new classification that may be used in conjunction with API SN and API SN with Resource Conserving. API began licensing oils against the SN PLUS classification on May 1, 2018.
How are engine oil grades determined by SAE?
The first piece of information speaks to viscosity grade. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) defines a numerical system for grading motor oils according to viscosity. The suffixes (0, 5, 10, 15 and 25) followed by the letter W designate the engine oil’s “winter” grade.