What is the difference between Shell engine oil SN and Plus?
2 Answers
There is not much difference between engine oil SN and engine oil SN Plus. Both refer to the same quality grade, but they have different certification standards. Introduction to engine oil: Engine oil, also known as engine lubricant (English name: Engine oil), serves multiple functions for the engine, including lubrication and wear reduction, auxiliary cooling, sealing and leakage prevention, rust and corrosion protection, and shock absorption. It is often referred to as the "blood" of a car. Composition of engine oil: Engine oil consists of two main components: base oil and additives. The base oil is the primary constituent of lubricating oil, determining its fundamental properties. Additives are used to compensate for and improve any deficiencies in the base oil's performance, as well as to impart new characteristics, making them a crucial part of lubricating oil.
As someone who has been driving for over a decade, I used to get headaches when choosing engine oil. It wasn't until I recently switched to a turbocharged car that I truly understood the difference between Shell SN and SN Plus. SN is the basic gasoline engine oil, suitable for regular engines with stable performance; SN Plus is an upgraded version introduced in 2018, specifically designed to address low-speed pre-ignition issues in turbocharged engines (that abnormal ignition at low speeds which can damage the engine). If your car doesn't have a turbo, regular SN is sufficient and can save you some money; but if you've got a turbocharger like my new car, you must use SN Plus, otherwise it's prone to malfunctions. Also, oil viscosity like 5W-30 is equally important—don't just focus on the brand. I recommend regularly checking your manual and getting oil changes at professional shops to avoid engine failure.
