· Refer to your owner’s manual for type of oil to use.
· Follow manufacturer’s oil change recommendations.
· Use only the recommended API category: “S” for gasoline engines; “C” for diesel engines.
· Select the proper SAE oil viscosity grade.
· If you find it necessary to mix brands of oil, use the same viscosity grade and API service category to maintain performance.
· Properly dispose of used oil.
· Learn more about recycling used oil on the web at www.recycleoil.org. Go to www.earth911.org for used oil collection center locations.
1. Starburst:
An oil displaying this mark meets the current engine protection standard and fuel economy requirements of the International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC), a joint effort of U.S. and Japanese automobile manufacturers. Most automobile manufacturers recommend oils that carry the API Certification Mark.
2. Performance Level:
Gasoline engine oil categories (for cars, vans, and light trucks with gasoline engines): Oils designed for gasoline-engine service fall under API’s “S” (Service) categories. Diesel engine oil categories (for heavy-duty trucks and vehicles with diesel engines): Oils designed for diesel-engine service fall under API’s “C” (Commercial) categories,
3. Viscosity Grade:
The measure of an oil’s thickness and ability to flow at certain temperatures. Vehicle requirements may vary. Follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations on SAE oil viscosity grade.
4. Energy Conserving:
The “Energy Conserving” designation applies to oils intended for gasoline-engine cars, vans, and light trucks. Widespread use of “Energy Conserving” oils may result in an overall savings of fuel in the vehicle fleet as a whole.
5. CI-4 PLUS:
Used in conjunction with API CI-4, the “CI-4 PLUS” designation identifies oils formulated to provide a higher level of protection against soot-related viscosity increase and viscosity loss due to shear in diesel engines. Like Energy Conserving, CI-4 PLUS appears in the lower portion of the API Service Symbol “Donut.”
| GUIDE TO SAE VISCOSITY GRADES OF MOTOR OIL FOR PASSENGER CARS | |
| Multigrade oils such as SAE 5W-30 and 10W-30 are widely used because, under all but extremely hot or cold conditions, they are thin enough to flow at low temperatures and thick enough to perform satisfactorily at high temperatures. | |
| If lowest expected outdoor temperature is | Typical SAE Viscosity Grades for Passenger Cars |
| 0°C (32°F) | 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40, 20W-50 |
| –18°C (0°F) | 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40 |
| Below –18°C (0°F) | 5W-20, 5W-30 |
Which oil is right for you?
The current and previous API Service Categories are listed below.
Vehicle owners should refer to their owner’s manuals before consulting these charts. Oils may have more than one performance level.
For automotive gasoline engines, the latest engine oil service category includes the performance properties of each earlier category. If an automotive owner’s manual calls for an API SJ or SL oil, an API SM oil will provide full protection. For diesel engines, the latest category usually - but not always - includes the performance properties of an earlier category.
No comments:
Post a Comment