How Many Grades Are There for Motor Oil?
4 Answers
There are ten grades for motor oil. The "S" series represents oils for gasoline engines, with specifications including SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF, SG, SH, SJ, and SL. Each successive letter indicates better performance than the previous one, with higher letters denoting higher quality grades, making the motor oil more effective. Among international brands, most motor oils are above the SF grade. Here is some information about motor oil: 1. Engine oil is the lubricant used in engines, composed of base oil and additives. 2. As a type of machinery, engines have specific requirements for lubricants, similar to general machinery, such as appropriate viscosity, certain anti-oxidation, anti-wear, anti-corrosion, and viscosity-temperature properties. 3. The density of motor oil is approximately 0.91×10³ (kg/m³), and it serves functions such as lubrication and wear reduction, auxiliary cooling, sealing and leak prevention, rust and corrosion prevention, and shock absorption.
Engine oil grading for vehicles primarily revolves around two major standards: API service categories and SAE viscosity specifications. Starting with API, gasoline engine oils range across over 10 grades from SA to SP, with each successive generation offering enhanced protection—for instance, SN and SP grades help reduce engine carbon buildup and extend lifespan. Then there’s SAE viscosity, such as 5W-30 or 0W-20, which indicates cold-temperature flow and high-temperature stability. Several common combinations exist, and the right choice depends on climate conditions. Having driven numerous cars, I’ve found that mismatched oil can waste fuel costs or even damage the engine. During routine maintenance, I always recommend consulting the manual—newer grades like SP are better suited for modern engines with stronger compatibility. In daily use, ignoring oil grades may lead to increased noise or starting difficulties, making it worth paying attention to. In short, while there are many grades, learning to choose the right one ensures smoother performance for your car.
From my experience tinkering with car repairs, there are quite a few oil grades. API divides gasoline engine oils into the S series, with mainstream grades like SL, SM, SN, and SP—about a dozen in total. However, some older grades like SA are obsolete, and upgrading to SP provides better wear resistance. SAE viscosity is even more critical, such as 0W-40 or 10W-30, indicating cold and hot performance, with several options for different weather conditions. I often remind friends not to focus solely on price—using the wrong grade can increase fuel consumption. For example, in northern winters, oils with good low-temperature viscosity can protect the engine quickly. Overall, combining API and SAE offers multiple choices, and matching them to your vehicle is key. Always check the oil label and opt for newer standards to save hassle. Remember, regular oil changes are more important than anything—don’t wait until problems arise to regret it.
Engine oil grades are mainly divided into two categories. The API has gasoline engine S grades such as SN and SP, representing performance standards, with SP being the latest in multiple iterations. SAE viscosity grades like 5W-30 are common specifications, indicating temperature adaptability. When choosing, I just refer to the manual. Common issues such as using the wrong viscosity can lead to slow starts, and it is recommended to choose one with better low-temperature performance in cold climates. There are quite a few grades, but finding the right one is the easiest.
