What does API mean on oil?

American Petroleum Institute
API stands for American Petroleum Institute. In 1970, along with the SAE and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials), they established the API Service Classification System to define the performance level of a given oil, unrelated in the main, to oil viscosity.

What oil has the highest API rating?

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.

Can I use SN oil instead of SF?

The “S” series is composed of SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF, SG, SH, SJ, SL, SM and SN. 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 SN SM SL oil?

SAE 30 API SN/ SM/SL GASOLINE ENGINE OIL is a heavy duty engine oil primarily intended for use in gasoline automotive engines of passenger cars where a monograde motor oil SAE 30 meeting an API SN, SM, SL or SJ is recommended.

Is higher API oil better?

A crude oil will typically have an API between 15 and 45 degrees. Higher API indicates a lighter (lower density) crude. Lower API indicates a heavier (more dense) crude. Generally, lighter (high API) crudes are more valuable because they yield more high-value light products when run through a refinery.

How do you read API oil?

Look to your owner’s manual. It specifies the viscosity grade required for your car’s engine. 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.

What additive keeps engines clean?

Dispersants. Dispersants are mainly found in engine oil with detergents to help keep engines clean and free of deposits. The main function of dispersants is to keep particles of diesel engine soot finely dispersed or suspended in the oil (less than 1 micron in size).

Is API SN better than SL?

SM and SN supersedes SL so both oils can be used.

Is API sp better than SN?

New SP Motor Oil Standard Coming in May to Eke out More Engine Efficiency. The API set a new standard, moving away from SN, to help gasoline engines run more efficiently. Friction is the enemy of efficiency. At least that’s the case in internal combustion engines.

Is API SN better than SM?

In 2010 the American Petroleum Institute introduced a new engine oil category under the name API SN and a new supplemental category called Resource Conserving. The API SN category is an improvement over the API SM category in the following areas: High temperature deposit protection for pistons. Better sludge control.

What is the best oil in the world?

Tapis. Tapis, a type of crude found only in Malaysia, is considered the best quality oil in the world. Light and sweet, it’s benchmark traded in Singapore and coveted for its remarkably low sulphur content (0.04 percent) and low density of between 43 and 45° API.