Answers To Your Questions On Automotive Lubricants
Answers To Your Questions On Automotive Lubricants
Answers To Your Questions On Automotive Lubricants
(http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/28383/automotive-lubricants-
mechanics-system)
http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Articles/Print/28383 1/4
1/17/2018 Answers to Your Questions on Automotive Lubricants
The new SN and GF-5 rated motor oils are backward compatible, and may be
used in 2010 and older engines.
For diesel engines, API has a separate rating system. The current category is
“CJ-4” (introduced in 2007 for newer diesels that have exhaust gas recirculation).
The previous CI-4 (2002), CH-4 (1998) CG-4 (1995) and CF-4 (1990) categories
all can be used in older four-stroke diesel engines. CF-2 (1994) is the API
classification for two-stroke diesels.
The API Certification Mark (the starburst symbol at right) tells consumers if an oil
meets the most up-to-date requirements for passenger vehicles as outlined in
the latest ILSAC specification. Oils that carry the API Certification Mark are
energy-conserving and are suitable for all previous model years. The mark must
be displayed on the front of licensed motor oil product packaging.
The next thing you want to consider is the service category. As previously
mentioned, it is part of the API “donut” symbol (seen below).
http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Articles/Print/28383 3/4
1/17/2018 Answers to Your Questions on Automotive Lubricants
The Service category (top of the donut) should be that which your owner’s
manual states, or newer. The viscosity (center of the donut) should be consistent
with the manual as well. The bottom half tells whether the oil has demonstrated
energy-conserving properties in a standard test in comparison to reference oil.
If you can follow these simple steps and purposefully look for the proper
markings, oil selection is quite easy. You will have to train your eye to look past
the fancy marketing, colorful packaging and gimmicks. It’s what is written on the
packaging that is of real importance.
http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Articles/Print/28383 4/4