Which is better, SN or SL engine oil?
2 Answers
Here is a comparison between SN and SL engine oils: 1. In terms of performance, SN-grade engine oil has the best quality. According to the API classification standard, from "SA" to "SN", each subsequent letter indicates an improvement in the oil's performance, making it superior to the previous grade. 2. In terms of price, SN oil is more expensive than SL. The higher the grade, the more expensive the oil. The differences between SN and SL engine oils are as follows: SN-grade oil mainly improves in terms of high-temperature detergency. In comparison, SL-grade oil does not have very high high-temperature detergency, and the SL grade does not have strict requirements on phosphorus content, only requiring it to be no more than 0.1%. Turbocharged engines have very high requirements for engine oil, making SN-grade oil highly suitable for them.
As an experienced car enthusiast who frequently tinkers with vehicles, I've compared quite a few engine oils. The main differences between SN and SL grades lie in environmental protection and cleaning performance. The SN standard, updated in 2010, specifically enhances protection for turbocharged engines by reducing high-temperature deposits. Currently, China VI-compliant vehicles generally require SN-grade or higher oils, especially models equipped with particulate filters where using SL-grade oil may cause clogging. In daily driving, SN oil demonstrates extended drain intervals up to 10,000 km without performance degradation, featuring more advanced anti-wear additive formulations that provide better protection for precision components like camshafts. After switching both my family cars to SN-grade oil, cold-start noise significantly decreased, and fuel consumption dropped by about 0.3 liters.
