Engine oil marking

any car enthusiast should be able to decipher the engine oil marking on the product packaging, because the key to durable and stable operation of the internal combustion engine is the use of high-quality engine oil, the characteristics of which meet all the requirements of the manufacturer. Such serious requirements are imposed by them due to the fact that oils have to work in a wide temperature range and under high pressure.

The engine oil marking contains all the necessary information for the correct choice, you just need to be able to decipher it

in order to streamline and simplify the procedure for selecting oil for a particular type of internal combustion engine according to the required characteristics and tasks assigned to it, a number of international standards have been developed. Global oil manufacturers use the following generally recognized classifications:

• SAE;
• API;
• THAT;
• ILSAC;
• GOST.

any type of oil labeling has its own history and market share, deciphering the meaning of which allows you to navigate in the choice of the desired lubricating fluid. Basically, we use three types of classification - these are API and ACEA, as well as, of course, GOST.

There are 2 basic classes of motor oils, depending on the type of internal combustion engine: gasoline or diesel, although there is also a universal oil. The intended use is always indicated on the label. Any oil for internal combustion engines consists of a base composition (mineral oil), which is its basis, and certain additives. The basis of the lubricating fluid is an oil fraction, which is obtained during oil refining or artificially. Therefore, according to the chemical composition, they are divided into:

• mineral;
• semi-synthetic;
• synthetic.

On the canister, along with other markings, chemical is always indicated. compound.

What can be on the label of an oil canister:

1. Viscosity grade SAE.
2. Specifications API и ACEA.
3. Tolerances car manufacturers.
4. Barcode.
5. Batch number and production date.
6. Pseudo-labeling (not a generally recognized standard labeling, but used as a marketing ploy, for example, fully syntetic, HC, with the addition of smart molecules, etc.).
7. Special categories of motor oils.

in order to help you buy exactly the oil that will best suit your car's internal combustion engine, we will decipher the most important engine oil markings.

SAE Engine Oil Labeling

The most important characteristic, which is indicated in the marking on the canister - the viscosity index according to the SAE classification - is an international standard that regulates the viscosity of oils at plus and minus temperatures (boundary value).

In accordance with the SAE standard, oils are designated in the XW-Y format, where X and Y are some numbers. First number - this is a symbol of the minimum temperature at which the oil is normally pumped through the channels, and the internal combustion engine scrolls without difficulty. The letter W stands for the English word Winter - winter.

The values	0W	5W	10w	15w	20w	25w
Cranking	-30 ° C	-25 ° C	-20 ° C	-15 ° C	-10 ° C	-5 ° C
Pumpability	-40 ° C	-35 ° C	-30 ° C	-25 ° C	-20 ° C	-15 ° C

Second number conditionally means the minimum and maximum values ​​of the boundary of high-temperature viscosity of the oil when it is heated to operating temperature (+100…+150°С). The higher the value of the number, the thicker it is when heated, and vice versa.

5W - 30	from minus 25 to plus 20
5W - 40	from minus 25 to plus 35
10W - 30	from minus 20 to plus 30
10W - 40	from minus 20 to plus 35
15W - 30	from minus 15 to plus 35
15W - 40	from minus 15 to plus 45
20W - 40	from minus 10 to plus 45
20W - 50	from minus 10 to plus 45 and above
SAE 30	from 0 to plus 45

Therefore, oils are necessarily divided into three types depending on the viscosity:

• winter oils, they are more fluid and provide a trouble-free start of the internal combustion engine in the cold season. The SAE index of such an oil will contain the letter “W” (for example, 0W, 5W, 10W, 15W, etc.). in order to understand the limit value, you need to subtract the number 35. In hot weather, such an oil is not able to provide a lubricating film and maintain the desired pressure in the oil system due to the fact that at high temperatures its fluidity is excessive;
• summer oils are used when the average daily temperature is not lower than 0 ° C, since its kinematic viscosity is high enough so that in hot weather the fluidity does not exceed the required value for good lubrication of internal combustion engine parts. At sub-zero temperatures, starting an internal combustion engine with such a high viscosity is impossible. Summer brands of oils are designated by a numerical value without letters (for example: 20, 30, 40, and further; the larger the number, the higher the viscosity). The density of the composition is measured in centistokes at 100 degrees (for example, a value of 20 indicates a boundary density of 8-9 centistokes at an internal combustion engine temperature of 100 ° C);
• all-season oils the most popular, since they are able to work both at sub-zero and positive temperatures, the boundary value of which is indicated in the decoding of the SAE indicator. This oil has a dual designation (example: SAE 15W-40).

When choosing the viscosity of the oil (from those approved for use in the internal combustion engine of your car), you need to be guided by the following rule: the greater the mileage / older the engine, the greater the high-temperature viscosity of the oil should be.

Viscosity characteristics are the very first and important element of the classification and labeling of motor oils, but not the only one - it is not correct to choose oil purely by viscosity... Is always it is necessary to select the correct relation of properties oil and operating conditions.

Each oil, in addition to viscosity, has a different set of performance properties (detergent, antioxidant properties, anti-wear, susceptibility to various deposits, corrosiveness, and others). They allow you to determine the possible scope of their application.

API engine oil labeling

In the API classification, the main indicators are: the type of internal combustion engine, the engine operating mode, the performance properties of the oil, the conditions of use and the year of manufacture. The standard provides for the division of oils into two categories:

• Category "S" - shows intended for gasoline engines;
• Category "C" - indicates the purpose for diesel vehicles.

How to decipher the API marking?

As already found out, the API designation can begin with the letter S or C, which will indicate the type of internal combustion engine that can be filled in, and also one letter of the oil class designation, showing the level of performance.

According to this classification, the decoding of the marking of motor oils is carried out as follows:

• abbreviation EC, which is located immediately after the API, stand for energy-saving oils;
• Roman numerals after this abbreviation talking about fuel economy;
• letter S (Service) denotes applications oils for gasoline engines;
• letter C (Commercial) are designated oils for diesel engines;
• after one of these letters follows performance level indicated by letters from A (lowest level) to N and further (the higher the alphabetical order of the second letter in the designation, the higher the oil class);
• universal oil has letters of both categories through an oblique line (for example: API SL / CF);
• API marking for diesel engines is divided into two-stroke (number 2 at the end) and 4-stroke (number 4).

Currently, the “S” category consists of 13 classes of motor oils, some of which are already outdated, so we will give only the most relevant:

Years of introduction	1980	1989	1994	1997	2001	2004	2010	2020
Gasoline Engine Oil API	SF	SG	SH	SJ	SL	SM	SN	SP

Category "C" currently consists of 14 classes, half of which are also not used and now you can find such markings:

Year of entry into force	1983	1990	1994	1998	2004	2010
Diesel Engine Oil API	CE	CF-4	CF, CF-2, CG-4	CH-4	Cl-4	CJ-4

Those motor oils, which have passed the API/SAE test and meet the requirements of the current quality categories, are indicated on the labels with a round graphic symbol. At the top is the inscription - "API" (API Service), in the middle is the degree of viscosity according to SAE, as well as a possible degree of energy saving.

When using oil according to “its own” specification, the wear and risk of breakdown of the internal combustion engine is reduced, the “waste” of oil is reduced, fuel consumption is reduced, noise is reduced, the driving characteristics of the internal combustion engine are improved (especially at low temperatures), and the service life of the catalyst and exhaust purification system is increased.

Classifications ACEA, GOST, ILSAC and how to decipher the designation

Classification of engine oils according to ACEA

The ACEA classification was developed by the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers. It indicates the performance properties, purposes and category of engine oil. ACEA classes are also divided into diesel and gasoline.

The latest edition of the standard provides for the division of oils into 3 categories and 12 classes:

• A / B - gasoline and diesel engines cars, vans, minibuses (A1/B1-12, A3/B3-12, A3/B4-12, A5/B5-12);
• C - gasoline and diesel engines with catalytic converter exhaust gases (C1-12, C2-12, C3-12, C4-12);
• E - truck diesel engines (E4-12, E6-12, E7-12, E9-12).

In the ACEA designation, in addition to the engine oil class, the year of its entry into force, as well as the edition number (when the technical requirements were updated) are indicated. Domestic oils are also certified according to GOST.

Classification of motor oils according to GOST

According to GOST 17479.1-85, motor oils are divided into:

• kinematic viscosity classes;
• performance groups.

By kinematic viscosity oils are divided into the following classes:

• summer – 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20, 24;
• winter - 3, 4, 5, 6;
• all-season - 3/8, 4/6, 4/8, 4/10, 5/10, 5/12, 5/14, 6/10, 6/14, 6/16 (the first digit indicates the winter class, the second for summer).

In all listed classes, the larger the numerical value, the greater the viscosity.

By application all engine oils are divided into 6 groups - they are designated from the letter "A" to "E".

Index “1” indicates oils intended for gasoline engines, index “2” for diesel engines, and oils without an index indicate its versatility.

Classification of motor oils according to ILSAC

ILSAC - a joint invention of Japan and America, the international committee for standardization and approbation of motor oils issued 6 motor oil standards: ILSAC GF-1, ILSAC GF-2, ILSAC GF-3, ILSAC GF-4, ILSAC GF-5 and GF-6 . They are completely similar to API classes, the only difference is that the oils corresponding to the ILSAC classification are energy-saving and all-weather. This classification is best suited for Japanese cars.

Correspondence of ILSAC categories regarding API:

• GF-1 (obsolete) - oil quality requirements similar to API SH category; by viscosity SAE 0W-XX, 5W-XX, 10W-XX, where XX-30, 40, 50,60.
• GF-2 - meets the requirement API SJ oil quality, and in terms of viscosity SAE 0W-20, 5W-20.
• GF-3 - is an analogue of API SL category and has been in operation since 2001.
• ILSAC GF-4 and GF-5 - respectively analogues SM and SN.
• ILSAC GF-6 – complies with the new standardization SP.

In addition, within the standard ISLAC for Japanese cars with turbocharged diesel engines, separately used JASO DX-1 class. This marking of machine oils provides for modern car engines with high environmental performance and built-in turbines.

Certification and approvals of car manufacturers

The API and ACEA classifications set out minimum basic requirements that are agreed between oil and additive manufacturers and vehicle manufacturers. Since the designs of internal combustion engines of different brands differ from each other, the operating conditions of the oil in them are not quite the same. Some major ICE manufacturers have developed their own classification system motor oils, so-called permits, which complements the ACEA classification system, with its own test engines and field tests. Engine manufacturers such as VW, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Renault, BMW, GM, Porsche and Fiat mostly use their own approvals when choosing engine oil. Specifications are always present in the car's operating instructions, and their numbers are applied to the oil packaging, next to the designation of its performance class.

Let's consider and decipher the most popular and frequently used tolerances present in the designations on cans of motor oils.

VAG approvals for passenger cars

VW 500.00 - energy-saving oil (SAE 5W-30, 10W-30, 5W-40, 10W-40, etc.), VW 501.01 - all-weather, intended for use in conventional gasoline ICEs manufactured before 2000, and VW 502.00 - for turbocharged ones.

Tolerance VW 503.00 provides that this oil is for gasoline ICEs with a viscosity of SAE 0W-30 and with an extended replacement interval (up to 30 thousand km), and if the exhaust system is with a three-way converter, then oil with a VW 504.00 approval is poured into the ICE of such a car.

For Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda cars with diesel engines, a group of oils with tolerances is provided VW 505.00 for ICE TDI, produced before 2000; VW 505.01 Recommended for ICE PDE with unit injector.

Energy-saving oil with viscosity grade 0W-30 with approval VW 506.00 has an extended replacement interval (up to 6 thousand km for ICE V30 TDI, up to 4 thousand km for 50-cylinder TDI). Recommended for use in new generation diesel engines (after 2002). For turbocharged internal combustion engines and PD-TDI unit injector, it is recommended to fill in oil with a tolerance VW 506.01 having the same extended drain interval.

Approvals for Mercedes passenger cars

The Mercedes-Benz automaker also has its own approvals. For example, oil with the designation MB 229.1 Designed for diesel and gasoline ICE Mercedes produced since 1997. Tolerance MB 229.31 entered into force later and meets the specifications SAE 0W-, SAE 5W- with additional requirements that limit the content of sulfur and phosphorus. MB 229.5 is an energy-saving oil with an extended service life for both diesel and gasoline engines.

Certification and approvals of car manufacturers

BMW engine oil tolerances

BMW Longlife 98 this approval has motor oils intended for filling in the internal combustion engine of cars manufactured since 1998. An extended service replacement interval is provided. Conforms to the basic requirements of ACEA A3/B3. For engines manufactured at the end of 2001, it is recommended to use oil with an approval BMW Longlife 01... Specification BMW Longlife-01FE provides for the use of motor oil when operating in difficult conditions. BMW Longlife 04 approved for use in modern BMW engines.

Engine oil approvals for Renault

Tolerance Renault RN0700 was introduced in 2007 and meets the basic requirements: ACEA A3/B4 or ACEA A5/B5. Renault RN0710 meets the requirements of ACEA A3/B4, and Renault RN 0720 by ACEA C3 plus optional Renault. Approval RN0720 Designed for use in the latest generation of diesel ICEs with particulate filters.

Approval for Ford vehicles

approved SAE 5W-30 oil Ford WSS-M2C913-A, intended for primary and service replacement. This oil meets ILSAC GF-2, ACEA A1-98 and B1-98 classifications and additional Ford requirements.

Approved oil Ford M2C913-B intended for primary filling or service replacement in gasoline and diesel internal combustion engines. also meets all requirements of ILSAC GF-2 and GF-3, ACEA A1-98 and B1-98.

Tolerance Ford WSS-M2C913-D was introduced in 2012, oils with this tolerance are recommended for all Ford diesel ICEs, with the exception of Ford Ka TDCi models manufactured before 2009 and ICEs manufactured between 2000 and 2006. Provides for extended drain intervals and refueling with bio-diesel or high-sulphur fuels.

approved oil Ford WSS-M2C934-A provides for an increase in the drain interval and is intended for filling in cars with a diesel engine and diesel particulate filter (DPF). Oil that meets the specification Ford WSS-M2C948-B, based on the ACEA C2 class (for gasoline and diesel engines with catalytic converter). this tolerance requires an oil with a viscosity of 5W-20 and reduced soot formation.

When choosing an oil, you need to remember a few basic points - this is the correct choice of the desired chemical composition (mineral water, synthetics, semi-synthetics), the viscosity classification parameter, and know the necessary requirements for a set of additives (determined in API and ACEA classifications). the label should also contain information for which brands of machines this product is suitable. It is equally important to pay attention to the additional designations of engine oil. For example, the Long Life marking indicates that the oil is suitable for vehicles with extended service intervals. also among the features of some compositions, one can single out compatibility with internal combustion engines with a turbocharger, an intercooler, cooling of recirculation gases, control of timing phases and valve lift.