What does SP mean in engine oil?
3 Answers
Engine oil SP refers to the quality grade of engine oil. SG, SJ, SL, SM, and SP are all grades of gasoline engine oil, with SP being the highest grade currently available. The higher the grade of the engine oil, the higher its various technical indicators, which can significantly extend the engine's service life, prolong the oil change interval, and reduce maintenance cycles. Engine oil plays multiple roles in the engine, including lubrication and wear reduction, auxiliary cooling, sealing and leak prevention, rust and corrosion protection, and shock absorption. Engine oil consists of two parts: base oil and additives. The base oil is the main component of lubricating oil, determining its fundamental properties, while additives compensate for and improve the deficiencies of the base oil, providing certain new properties, making them an essential part of lubricating oil.
Recently when I changed my engine oil, I specifically noticed the SP designation. The mechanic at the repair shop told me that SP is currently the highest quality grade for gasoline engine oils, a standard developed by the American Petroleum Institute. It offers significant improvements over the previous SN grade, with features like better protection against low-speed pre-ignition (especially suitable for turbocharged vehicles) and more reliable protection against engine chain wear. I've been using SP-grade oil for over six months now, and I've noticed my car vibrates less in traffic jams, with a slight reduction in fuel consumption too. However, it's worth noting that some older vehicles may perform just fine with SN-grade oil, and using a higher grade might be unnecessary spending. For routine maintenance, it's best to follow the recommendations in your owner's manual, as the oil viscosity needs to match your engine's requirements.
I previously researched the meaning of SP when selecting engine oil. It's the latest gasoline engine oil standard level established by the American Petroleum Institute. Compared to the SN grade, SP mainly has upgrades in four aspects: better resolution of low-speed pre-ignition issues in turbocharged engines, enhanced timing chain wear protection, improved fuel economy, and optimized oxidation resistance. After using SP-grade oil, I clearly noticed smoother cold starts and reduced engine noise. However, remember to completely drain the old oil during changes, as mixing different grades might affect performance. Nowadays, mainstream brands all offer SP products, with prices not significantly different from SN, making it quite a worthwhile investment for new cars.
