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Engine oil markings – how to read them and what are the types you need to know about? How to choose the right engine oil?
What are the markings of engine oil? Engine oil classes are diverse. API SL, 10W-40, CG, C3 - these types of codes can be found on engine oil packaging. What do they mean? They indicate the class of a given product. What is the classification of engine oils? What should be taken into account when choosing an oil? What distinguishes individual oil specifications? Anyone who would like to know on what basis to make a choice of engine oil should familiarize themselves with this guide.
- How to Read Engine Oil Markings – How to Read Oil Labels?
- SAE Oil Classification – What is the viscosity classification of engine oils?
- What is unique about this classification of engine oils?
- ACEA – European classification of engine oil quality
- What is the OEM specification?
- How to choose engine oil correctly?
How to Read Engine Oil Labels – How to Read Oil Labels? Synthetic Oils, Mineral Oils, Semi-Synthetic Oils – Basic Types of Oils
Engine oil is one of the key preparations used in cars. It has a very large impact on the proper functioning of the drive unit. It is responsible for, among other things, lubrication and reducing friction between engine components. It also plays an important role in cooling the engine, as well as its sealing. The class of engine oil is very important. The specification of oils is varied - various parameters of the engine oil are taken into account. For example, the viscosity class designation. The decision to buy the right engine oil must be preceded by a detailed analysis. For example, products from the ACEA engine oil category are very popular on the market.
Are you wondering how to choose the right engine oil? Choosing an engine oil is a very important issue. When making this decision, you should verify the engine oil parameters in as much detail as possible. If you want to buy high-quality oil, you need to know their basic categories. Oils can be divided into three main types, according to the oil base. Here is the division of oils.
- Synthetic engine oils – are produced from base components by combining individual chemical compounds; they are the most technologically advanced and of the best quality, withstand high thermal loads and have low viscosity, thanks to which they protect the engine well even at low temperatures,
- Mineral engine oils – created in the process of refining crude oil; they are characterized by much higher viscosity compared to synthetic and are not uniform. Mineral engine oils may contain sulfur or hydrocarbons and create carbon deposits in the engine,
- Semi-synthetic engine oils – produced on the basis of mineral oils with synthetic additives; are an intermediate product.
As you can see, the division of oils is not complicated. Each oil manufacturer additionally presents a number of valuable information about the oil on the packaging. Thanks to this, it is easy to verify whether it is a high-quality oil and to which group of engine oils it belongs. When buying, it is good to use the substantive support of a specialist - buying recommended engine oil, you can be sure that the engine oil will not need to be changed too often, and additionally the properties of the oil will be appropriate.
SAE Oil Classification - What is the viscosity classification of engine oils? Engine Oil Standards and Oil Viscosity Classes
Other engine oil groups that are distinguished in gasoline engines are the SAE classification. The SAE engine oil viscosity classification is probably the most well-known standard. It was developed by the American Society of Automotive Engineers. The viscosity class designation is important because it gives a lot of valuable information about the properties of the oil.
The SAE standard presents the viscosity class of engine oil, determining the lubricating properties of the preparation at low and high temperatures. The classification divides oils into summer and winter classes. The former are marked with numbers, while the latter are written with the letter "W" (for winter), e.g. 10W. It means that engine oil markings can be complicated.
Due to the fact that multigrade oils are currently used, the standard for winter and summer is given simultaneously, e.g. 10W-40. The smaller the number before the dash (e.g. 0W, 10W, 15W, etc.), the lower the temperature the oil can be used. In turn, the higher the number after the dash, e.g. 40 or 60, the better the oil will maintain its parameters as the atmospheric temperature increases.
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American classification of engine oil quality. What is special about this classification of engine oils? API classification of oil
If you are looking for a recommended engine oil and you want the oil to be as fluid as possible, be sure to pay attention to the American API classification. The API oil quality classification was created by American Petroleum Institute. A given drug receives its label after tests that check, among others: wear of cylinder linings and rings, accumulation of contaminants or the degree of corrosion of the unit after the use of oil. It is worth noting that the API oil quality classification takes into account only basic parameters, so there may be differences between oils of theoretically the same class.
The oil class is marked with the letter "C" for diesel engines and the letter "S" for gasoline engines. The further the letter in the alphabet after "C" or "S", the more the drug meets the newer standard (SA, SB, SC, etc.). Currently, the highest API quality classes are CK for oils for diesel engines and SP for oils for gasoline engines.
ACEA – European classification of engine oil quality
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association ACEA also has its own classification of engine oil quality. How does ACEA divide engine oils? Here is the ACEA engine oil quality classification. ACEA divides engine oils for passenger cars and vans into categories:
- A/B – typical oils that can be used for petrol and diesel engines,
- C – low-ash oils (Low SAPS), for diesel and gasoline engines that are to meet new exhaust emission standards.
The higher the number next to the letter, the higher the oil class (from A1/A1 to A5/B5 and from C1 to C5).
What is the OEM specification?
Sometimes we can also find information about OEM specifications on the engine oil packaging. What is she?
Car manufacturers conduct quality tests of operating fluids themselves. The type designation LongLife 04, VW 507.00 or dexos2 indicates that a given oil is recommended by the brand for specific series of drive units (e.g. with unit injectors, for diesel and petrol engines of given years, etc.).
Engine oil markings – how to choose the right one?
How to choose engine oil correctly?
It is best to start selecting engine oil for your car by reading the owner's manual. The manufacturer provides recommended specifics and what parameters the oil should meet.
Another issue is the mileage of the car. For older cars that have already traveled a lot of kilometers, it is often recommended to use semi-synthetic engine oils, which are less "aggressive" than synthetic oils. Synthetics have good protective properties, but also cleaning properties, which may be a problem in the case of older units. It may lead to washing away deposits and leaking the engine.
If we replace the oil with another one, remember to follow the rule: from synthetic, through semi-synthetic, to mineral. It is not recommended to pour thin oil into the unit when thick oil was previously used.
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Engine oil markings that's one thing, but it's also worth remembering the oil class. You can use a higher quality preparation than recommended by the manufacturer, but you should not use inferior oil. For example, you can pour A4/B4 grade oil into the engine if A3/B3 was recommended, but not the other way around.
The oil should be changed once a year or after driving approximately 10 km. When replacing it, it is worth considering its use engine regenerator. It is a preparation that seals piston rings and extends the life of the drive unit. Mixes with any type of engine oil. It is especially recommended for motorcycles operating in difficult conditions, for example delivery cars or taxis. We write more about oil issues in the article Changing engine oil – what do you need to know about it and how to do it yourself?.
FAQ
What's behind the mysterious symbols on engine oil packaging?
Mysterious symbols on a bottle of engine oil inform about the standards and specifications that a given product must meet. These include quality standards (e.g. API, ACEA), viscosity parameters, and compliance with the requirements of specific engine manufacturers. They make it easier to choose the right oil that will provide optimal protection and engine performance.
What types of engine oils are there?
The quality classification of oils is quite broad. There are mineral engine oils, semi-synthetic engine oils and synthetic engine oils. Mineral oils are made from crude oil and are traditionally used in older engines. Synthetic oils, which are the result of chemical modification, offer better protection at high temperatures and allow longer intervals between changes. Semi-synthetic oils, on the other hand, combine the features of both previous ones, constituting a compromise between price and efficiency. The choice of engine oil must be made taking into account the requirements of a given vehicle. knowledge of the quality classification of oils is a very important issue. It is worth making the decision on the right engine oil by carefully checking the properties of the oil and the fluidity of the oil in the case of petrol engines. Each oil manufacturer also presents on the packaging approximate information regarding engine oil consumption.
