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API Motor Oil Service Classifications

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The service rating of motor oils is classified by the American Petroleum Institute (API).
The program certifies that an oil meets certain OEM quality and performance standards.
The service rating is shown in the API "Service Symbol Donut" on the product label.
There may also be an "API Certified for Gasoline Engines" seal on the label.

SN Rated Motor Oils

The latest service category rating for gasoline engines starting in 2011 model year cars
and light trucks is "SN." The API SN rating is equivalent to the new GF-5 oil rating by the
International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC). SN engine oils
are designated as Resource Conserving because they help improve fuel economy and
protect vehicle emission system components. These oils have demonstrated a fuel

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economy improvement in the Sequence VID test when compared with a baseline oil used
in the Sequence VID test. Additionally, these oils have demonstrated in tests that they
provide greater emission system and turbocharger protection and help protect engines
when operating on ethanol-containing fuels up to E85.

Oils that meet the new SN and GF-5 motor oil ratings are designed to improve fuel
economy, improve the life of emission components (such as the catalytic converter and
oxygen sensors), and improve sludge, deposit and oxidation control. The oils also have
better low-temperature viscosity, high- and low-temperature corrosion protection, better
turbocharger protection and improved filter clogging protection.

Aeration control, the reduction of tiny air bubbles, is a renewed concern because modern
engines demand that oil serve as a hydraulic fluid in cam phaser devices, variable valve
actuators, timing chain tensioners and hydraulic lash adjusters that allow for variable
valve timing. These increased demands cause engine oils to be stressed more than ever
before.

The new SN and GF-5 rated motor oils are backwards compatible and may be used in
2010 and older engines.

When choosing a motor oil, make sure

it meets ALL performance requirements for your vehicle.

GM dexos Motor Oils

For 2011, General Motors announced a new oil requirement called "dexos." GM says
their new oil performance specification is better than the new GF-5 specification, which
also went into effect in 2011. GM says dexos is required in all 2011 and newer GM
engines, and is backwards compatible with older engines that use SM oils.

There are two versions of dexos: dexos1 for gasoline engines and dexos2 for diesel
engines. The specification calls for a high quality synthetic base stock with additives that
provide high temperature, high sheer characteristics to reduce friction for better fuel
economy, to reduce piston ring deposits and sludge, and to extend oil life (necessary for
use with GM's Oil Life Reminder System).

Because it uses high quality synthetic base stocks, dexos and other brands of oil that
meet GM's dexos specification are more expensive than conventional motor oils. GM is
licensing oil brands that meet their specifications. Pennzoil Platinum and Quaker State
Ultimate Durability both claim to meet the new dexos spec in their SAE 5W-30 viscosity
grade motor oils.

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SM Rated Motor Oils Now Obsolete

The previous API service category rating for gasoline engines was SM, introduced in
November 2004 for 2005 and newer engines. SM-rated oils along with the previous SL
(2001) and SJ (1997) ratings, are also backwards compatible and can be safely used in
older engines with exceptions (see update below). But the opposite is not true. Older
obsolete service classifications (SH, SG, SF, etc.) may not meet OEM lubrication
requirements for newer engines. Likewise, API SL oils should not be used in 2005 and
later vehicles, and SJ oils should not be used in 2001 and newer vehicles.

Motor oils that meet the now obsolete API SM rating may also meet the International
Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) GF-4 specifications, which
some European and Asian auto makers require.

One of the major changes with the current SN motor oils is that the amount of
phosphorus anti-wear additive allowed in the oil has been reduced to 800 ppm (parts per
million). For more information on this subject, see ZDDP - What is it & Why do you need
it?

Diesel Motor Oils

For diesel engines, API has a separate rating system. The current category is
"CJ-4" (introduced in 2002 for newer diesels that have exhaust gas recirculation). The
previous CH-4 (1998), CG-4 (1995), and CF-4 (1990), can all be used in older four-stroke
diesel engines. CF-2 (1994) is the API classification for two-stroke diesels.

A new diesel oil category called PC-11 will appear in 2016 or 2017. The new diesel oil
category will have two subcategories: PC-11A (which may be renamed CK-4) for current
and older diesel engines, and PC-11B for 2017 and newer engines only. The new PK-11
oils will be lower viscosity, fuel-saving oils with better high temperature lubrication and
evaporation qualities.

Energy Conserving Motor Oils

API also gives oils an "Energy Conserving" rating if the oil meets certain criteria for
reducing friction and oil consumption, and improving fuel economy.

Watch Out for Poor Quality Oil in Quick Lube Shops

In recent years, there has been a growing problem of quick lube shops selling motorists
poor quality oil. The American Petroleum Institute (API) did a nationwide survey in 2013
to check the quality of oil being sold by quick lube facilities. Oil samples were taken from
bulk dispensers in quick lube shops and analyzed in a laboratory to see if they meet API
quality standards, OEM performance requirements and SAE viscosity grades. The survey
found that 1 out of 5 samples FAILED one or more of these tests! In other words, a lot of
quick lube shops are selling poor quality oil that does not meet minimum service
specifications or is not the correct viscosity grade. For more information on this issue, see
Motor Oil Matters.

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New Motor Oils Are Bad for Older Engines with Flat Tappet Camshafts

The lobes on this 289 Ford Mustang flat tappet cam suffered excessive wear because
the motor oil did not contain adequate levels of ZDDP anti-scuff additive.

If you are driving an older classic muscle car or hot rod that has an engine with a flat
tappet camshaft, you should be aware of the fact that today's SM and SN rated motor oils
contain much lower levels of anti-scuff additive called "ZDDP" (Zinc Dialkyl Dithio
Phosphate). The level of ZDDP in current motor oils has been reduced to no more than
0.08% phosphorus to extend the life of the catalytic converter. Phosphorus can
contaminate the catalyst over time if the engine uses oil, causing an increase in tailpipe
emissions.

The lower ZDDP content is not harmful to late model engines with roller lifters or
followers because the loads are much lower on the camshaft lobes. But on pushrod
engines with flat tappet cams, the level of ZDDP may be inadequate to prevent cam lobe
and lifter wear. In some cases, cam failures have occurred in as little as a few thousand
miles of driving! This is even more of a risk in engines if stiffer valve springs and/or higher
lift rocker arms are used.

To avoid such problems, you should add a ZDDP additive to the crankcase, or use an oil
that meets the previous SL service rating, or use diesel motor oil or racing oil that
contains adequate levels of ZDDP to protect the camshaft and lifters.

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If you are installing a new camshaft in the engine, be sure to use the cam manufacturers
assembly lube and follow the recommended break-in procedure. But you will still need to
add ZDDP to the crankcase or use an oil that contains adequate levels of ZDDP for
continued protection.

New Motor Oil Classifications Coming in 2018

The American Petroleum Institute (API) and International Lubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee (ILSAC) are working on oil performance standards for new motor
oils that should be available in early 2018. Some of these next generation oils will have
lower multi-viscosity ratings (0W-16) to reduce friction for improved fuel economy. They
will also include special additive packages to prevent engine wear. The oils are being
developed for high output turbocharged gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines.

API has not yet announced the letter designation for the new oil classification, but said it
will likely be "SP" (skipping "SO"). The new ILSAC standards will be GF-6A and GF-6B.

GF-6A oils will be for next generation gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines, and will
also be backwards compatible with engines that currently use GF-5 oils.

GF-6B oils will NOT be backwards compatible and will include some of the new ultra-thin
0W-16 oils that are currently undergoing testing and certification. These oils will be for
future engines not yet in production. These oils are expected to provide a significant
incresae in fuel economy over today's low viscosity 0W-20 and 5W-20 motor oils.

For more information, see GF-6 Motor Oil.

Related Articles:

New Motor Oil Specifications 2014

What Every Motorist Should Know About Motor Oil

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Motor Oils & Lubricants

How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

How To Change Your Oil

Oil Filters

Certified Master Technicians Speak Out On Oil Change Intervals

Motor Oil Additives

ZDDP - What is it & Why do you need it?

Motor Oil Viscosity

Synthetic Motor Oil

Troubleshooting Low Oil Pressure

Oil Pump Diagnosis

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