Understanding Engine Oil Specifications

Modern engines have undergone design changes meant to improve engine performance, increase fuel economy and help reduce emissions. Some of these design changes include direct injection systems (DI), turbochargers and advanced after-treatment systems such as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and diesel particulate filters (DPF).

These design changes have made the operating environment inside the engine more severe, and engine oil formulations have also had to evolve to perform in these harsher conditions. The new emissions systems place further stress on oil, requiring the new formulations to remain compatible with advanced emissions components. New heavy-duty diesel trucks generate higher operating temperatures and increased levels of soot and acid, creating additional challenges for diesel oils.

Engine Oil Formulation

Many of the components inside internal combustion engines (ICE) rely on engine oil for protection in order to reach or exceed the engine’s expected operating life. Engine operating environments vary according to the engine’s design, so two-stroke, four-stroke, air-cooled, water-cooled, diesel, gasoline and natural gas engines all have different operating characteristics due to their design and fuel source.

While many motorists traditionally believed engine performance relies on frequent (3,000-mile) oil changes, the truth is that engine oil does not automatically go bad once it’s accumulated a certain number of miles. Rather, engine oil quality and its ability to protect and lubricate the engine depends on several performance properties engineered by the oil manufacturer. The performance life of the oil is also heavily impacted by environmental factors and the application in which it is used.

To properly protect the engine, lubrication oils are formulated with a combination of base oils and additives based on each specific application. The performance properties of motor oil can range from general to specialized. The basic functions of an engine oil include:

• Reduce friction and wear
• Cool engine components
• Minimize combustion byproduct contamination
• Seal components to prevent leakage
• Protect against rust and corrosion
• Dampen shock from extreme pressure
• Enhance fuel economy
• Emissions system compatibility
• Improve equipment life expectancy

Base Oil

An engine oil’s formulation begins with a base oil that provides several key performance properties the engine requires and provides most of the finished oil’s oxidation, soot-handling, viscometrics, volatility, dispersancy and solvency performance properties. Higher quality synthetic base oils provide better oxidative stability, are more resistant to chemical and mechanical breakdown, help prevent contaminants from settling in the engine and resist evaporation.

Additives

Additives are used to combat destructive processes and enhance beneficial properties of the base oil. Building an additive package is a balancing act because some additives counteract the effects of other additives. The focus of additives is enhancing the performance characteristics most beneficial for the intended application. Additive packages may include:

• Antioxidants
• Solvents
• Anti-wear additives
• Extreme-pressure additives
• Rust and corrosion inhibitors
• Seal conditioners
• Friction modifiers
• Anti-foam additives
• Detergents
• Dispersants
• Sulphated ash
• Phosphorus
• Sulfer

Operating Conditions

The performance abilities of engine oil depend highly on how it is used. The following operating conditions influence engine oil performance and formulation:

• Temperature
• Environmental
• Load
• Speed
• Engine design
• Fuel type
• Fuel-delivery system
• Service Duty
• Cooling system
• Emissions system

Standards and Specifications

Industry organizations and vehicle manufacturers establish performance requirements that lubricants must meet to be used safely in specific equipment. When you pick up a quart of oil and the label states that it meets the “API SP” specification, you know the oil will provide reliable performance and protection and is safe to use in your vehicle that requires API SP oil. Standards and specifications function as safeguards that protect motorists from the negative effects of low-quality lubricants and take the guesswork out of selecting the correct lubricant.

Some common elements involved in defining lubricant specifications include:

• Scope of application
• Physical and chemical properties
• Performance properties
• Product compatibility
• Testing methods
• Approval process

U.S. Performance Standards

Over time, technologies and materials change, requiring engine oil technology to also change to remain compatible and achieve certain performance requirements. Additionally, federal and local legislation may enforce certain performance standards, such as reduced emissions, which are affected by engine oil. For example, Congress has mandated corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards since 1975 with each new iteration requiring improved fleet-wide fuel economy. Engine oil can be engineered to improve fuel economy and help vehicles meet those requirements.

The creation and management of engine oil performance standards in the U.S. is conducted by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC). The API and ILSAC establish minimum performance requirements for gasoline and diesel engines. Consumers can use these service categories to select oils that are compatible with their vehicle technology and ensure maximum fuel economy.

It has also become common for vehicle manufacturers to introduce their own proprietary motor oil specifications, such as Volkswagen* VW* 502.00/505.00, BMW* BMW LL-04 or General Motors* dexos.* These manufacturer specifications tend to be more stringent than industry specs.

API Service Categories

The API service categories are divided into separate classifications for gasoline and diesel engines. Gasoline engine oils fall under the Service (S) category, while diesel engine oils fall under the Commercial (C) category. Each category represents a minimum level of engine oil performance, which can be demonstrated by laboratory and engine testing.

Most vehicle manufacturers have traditionally recommended a specific API service category oil to be used in their engines to provide adequate protection and performance. New service categories are developed as needed due to changes to federal legislation, manufacturing materials and fuel economy improvements. Gasoline engine oils can be engineered to satisfy more than one service category, and new service categories generally include the performance properties of earlier categories. For example, if a vehicle calls for API SN oil, a newer API SP oil will also provide the necessary protection.

Diesel oils will usually include the performance properties of earlier categories, but not always; therefore, it is always important to check the manufacturer oil recommendations to ensure the right oil is chosen. API service category oils focus on the following performance characteristics:

• Engine cleanliness – detergency, dispersancy and soot handling
• Durability – oxidative stability, inhibiting acid (TBN) and rust and corrosion protection
• Fuel economy – lubricity
• Wear protection – viscosity, film strength and anti-wear additives
• Emissions-system compatibility

API Four-Stroke Gasoline Engine Standard:

API SP service category was introduced in 2020 and is appropriate for all gasoline passenger cars and light trucks.
• Protects against low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) and timing chain wear
• Increased high-temperature protection for pistons and turbochargers
• Increased sludge and varnish control
• Improved fuel economy, emissions system compatibility and seal compatibility
• Protects engines running on ethanol fuels (up to E85)
• Increased oxidation resistance, low-temperature performance and wear protection
• Compatible with engines requiring the previous SN, SM, SL, SJ standards

API Four-Stroke Diesel Engine Standards:

FA-4  is designed for model year 2017 and newer diesel engines.
• Not for use in MY 2016 and older vehicles, or where API CK-4 or earlier are specified
• Improved wear protection, thermal stability and viscosity and aeration control
• Maintains emission-control systems with particulate filters and other after-treatment systems

CK-4 is designed for all current diesel engines and is backward compatible.
• Improved wear protection, thermal stability and viscosity and aeration control
• Meets exhaust emissions standards and compatible with EGR exhaust systems
• Improved protection in hostile environments
• Reduced sulfated ash (metal byproducts of combustion)
• Compatible with high- and low-sulfur fuel (ULSD)
• Improved soot-handling abilities and shear stability
• Compatible with engines requiring the previous CJ-4, CJ-4+, CI-4, CH-4 standards

ILSAC Specifications

The ILSAC engine oil standards are developed for gasoline engines and focus on fuel economy retention, engine oil robustness and emissions-system protection.

ILSAC Four-Stroke Gasoline Engine Standard

GF-6A Introduced in May 2020 to provide
• protection against low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) and timing chain wear.
• Increased high-temperature protection for pistons and turbochargers
• Increased sludge and varnish control
• Improved fuel economy, emissions system compatibility and seal compatibility
• Protection for engines running on ethanol fuels (up to E85)
• Replaces obsolete GF-5, GF-4, GF-3, GF-2, GF-1 standards

GF-6B Applies only to SAE viscosity grade 0W-16 and not backward compatible.
• protection against low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) and timing chain wear.
• Increased high-temperature protection for pistons and turbochargers
• Increased sludge and varnish control
• Improved fuel economy, emissions system compatibility and seal compatibility
• Protection for engines running on ethanol fuels (up to E85)

NMMA Specifications

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is a trade organization that represents boat and marine engine and accessory manufacturers. The NMMA manages the FC-W standard for four-stroke outboard and TC-W3 standard for two-stroke outboard engines. The standards are designed to reduce emissions and increase engine life and consumer satisfaction with outboard engine oils. The TC-W3 standard is a performance-based program with rigorous testing for properties such as fluidity, lubricity, rust prevention, smoke production, detergency and ring sticking.

International Specifications

Air-Cooled Two-Stroke

The performance categories for air-cooled two-stroke lubricating oils are managed by the Japanese Automobile Standards Organization (JASO) and International Standards Institute (ISO). Performance requirements for these oils focus on detergency, lubricity, initial torque, exhaust system blocking and smoke. Because two-stroke engines burn oil during combustion, the key performance measurement is the smoke requirement, which is most stringent with JASO FD and ISO EGD standards.

Motorcycles

Because the oil in motorcycles usually also lubricates the transmission, the engine oil must also provide good wet-clutch lubrication and performance. JASO developed motorcycle engine oil performance specifications for compatibility with wet clutches, which includes different friction modifiers. Using the appropriate JASO specification recommended by the motorcycle manufacturer is imperative.

JASO MA / MA1
• Suitable for most motorcycles with a wet-clutch system
• Ensure proper clutch engagement without slippage
• Designed for motorcycles without a catalytic converter

JASO MA2
• Provides higher frictional properties and improved clutch performance
• Designed for high-performance motorcycles with advanced wet-clutch systems
• Compatible with motorcycles equipped with a catalytic converter

Japanese Standards

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) and the Petroleum Association of Japan (PAJ) establish engine oil performance standards.

These organizations work with ILSAC and other international standards organizations in the automobile and oil industries to develop the Japanese standards. Japanese engine oil standards are self-certifying and not certified through a particular governing body.

European Specifications

The Association des Constructeurs Eurpeens de L’Automobile (ACEA) creates service-fill quality classifications for European automobiles. ACEA oil sequences represent a minimum performance standard; many European OEMs use them as a starting point and develop standards that go beyond these performance requirements. The latest ACEA oil specifications are:

Gasoline and Light-Duty Diesel Engine Oil Standards

ACEA A7/B7 – For high-performance gasoline and light-duty diesel engines designed for low-viscosity oil. Provides protection against low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) and turbocharger wear in direct injection (DI) engines.

Particulate Filter (GPF/DPF) and Catalyst (TWC) Compatible Standard

ACEA C6 – Stay-in-grade mid-SAPS oils for improved fuel economy and extended drain intervals in light-duty gasoline and DI diesel engines with after-treatment systems. Provides protection against low-speed pre-igntion (LSPI) and turbocharger wear in DI engines.

Heavy-Duty Diesel Standards

ACEA E11 – Euro VI compliant ultra-high-performance diesel (UHPD) lubricants for severe-duty, long-drain applications and suitable for engines without particulate filters. Also recommended for vehicles with advanced exhaust after-treatment systems (DPF, EGR, SCR) and low-sulfur diesel.

Performance Requirements

Two lubricants recommended for the same specification do not necessarily provide equal performance and protection because they have only met the minimum performance requirements, leaving room for significant differences in performance.

For the best performance, make sure you use lubricants recommended for the specifications given in your vehicle owner’s manual. Consult the AMSOIL Product Selection Guide to determine which AMSOIL synthetic lubricants are recommended for your vehicle.