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How to Choose the Right Oil
By
BRETT WINBERG
First, we recommend the use of HIGH quality motor oil...
not just oil that you ‘get a good deal’ on. Using oils not designed for increased soot loads will cost you more in the long run than an oil with a higher TBN (Total Base Number) that meets or exceeds (API) CD CDII, CE, CF4, CG4, SD, SE, MIL-L-2104B, CID AA 52039. There are many quality oils to choose from. Be sure to choose one that fits your needs and application. Buyer beware, many diesel oils DO NOT meet ALL the (API) codes listed above.
On the oil containers... you’ll see the API ‘starburst’ and or donut (both shown below) signifying the oils designations:
Starburst:
An oil displaying this mark meets the current engine protection standard and fuel economy requirements of the International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC), a joint effort of U.S. and Japanese automobile
manufacturers. Most automobile manufacturers recommend oils that carry the API Certification Mark.
Performance Level:
Oils designed for gasoline-engine service fall under API’s “S” (Service) categories.
Oils designed for diesel-engine service fall under API’s “C” (Commercial) categories.
Guide to Viscosity Grades of Passenger Car Motor Oil
Multigrade oil simply designates the viscosity at low and high temperature of the lubricant.
The grade is given by two numbers separated by the letter W (meaning winter). The first number, followed by W represents the low temperature viscosity, 5W, 10W, 15W... the lower this number, the more fluid the oil is thus making the engine easier to start.
The second number gives the high temperature viscosity -30, 40, 50. The higher this number, the more viscous the oil is at higher temperatures.
These charts below show the history of the API Oil certifications for both Diesel and Gasoline Engines.
Diesel Engine API History:
First a note about CI-4 PLUS. Used in conjunction with API CI-4, the “CI-4 PLUS” designation identifies oils formulated to provide a higher level of protection against soot-related viscosity increase and viscosity loss due to shear in diesel engines. CI-4 PLUS appears in the lower portion of the API Service Symbol “Donut” as illustrated above.
Gasoline Engine API History:
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