WHICH OIL IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

TM

® ®

API.org/EOLCS • MotorOilMatters.org • DieselOilMatters.com

API’s Certification Mark and Service Symbol
identify quality motor oils for gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. Oils displaying these marks meet performance requirements
set by U.S. and international vehicle and engine manufacturers and the lubricant industry. Hundreds of companies worldwide
participate in this voluntary program, which is backed by a marketplace sampling and testing program.

GET MORE The API Certification Mark,

FROM YOUR
also known as the “Starburst”
An oil displaying this mark meets the current engine protection standard
MOTOR OIL. and fuel economy requirements of the International Lubricant Specification
Advisory Committee (ILSAC), a joint effort of U.S. and Japanese automobile
manufacturers. Automobile manufacturers recommend oils that carry
Follow your vehicle the API Certification Mark. See the ILSAC STANDARD FOR PASSENGER 
manufacturer’s oil change CAR ENGINE OILS chart on the next page for descriptions of current and
recommendations. This obsolete ILSAC standards.
includes using recommended ®

SAE oil viscosity and ILSAC The API Service Symbol, also

or API performance standard. 1 known as the “Donut”
Performance Level Motor oils designed for cars, vans, and
If you find it necessary 1.
light trucks with gasoline engines fall
to mix brands of oil, use 2 under API’s “S” (Service) categories. Motor oils designed for heavy-duty
trucks and vehicles with diesel engines fall under API’s “C” (Commercial)
same viscosity grade and
categories. Please see the Gasoline Engines and Diesel Engines
API service category to charts on the next pages for descriptions of current and obsolete API 
maintain performance. service categories.

2. Viscosity Grade The measure of an oil’s ability to flow at

Properly dispose of used oil. certain temperatures. Vehicle requirements
may vary. Follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations on SAE
Learn more about recycling 3 ®
oil viscosity.
used oil at RecycleOil.org.
3. Resource Conserving “Resource Conserving” applies to oils
To find used oil collection intended for gasoline-engine cars,
center locations, go to 4 vans, and light trucks. Widespread use of “Resource Conserving” oils
may result in an overall savings of fuel in the vehicle fleet as a whole.
Earth911.com.
4. Multiple Performance Levels Oils designed for diesel
engine service might also
Ask for API- meet gasoline engine service. For these oils the designation is “C”
licensed oil category first followed by the “S” category. “C” category oils have been
formulated primarily for diesel engines and may not provide all of the
whenever you performance requirements consistent with vehicle manufacturers’
have your oil recommendations for gasoline-fueled engines.

5. PLUS Classifications API

changed. currently licenses two PLUS
classifications for use in the lower

Look for
5 ®
portion of the API Donut: CI-4 PLUS and SN PLUS. CI-4 PLUS identifies
oils formulated to provide a higher level of protection against soot-re-
lated viscosity increase and viscosity loss due to shear in diesel engines.
API Certification When originally introduced, CI-4 PLUS identified CI-4 oils meeting a
Marks every time 6 higher level of performance. CK-4 and CJ-4 oils include all CI-4 PLUS
performance requirements. SN PLUS identifies oils that meet API SN and
you buy motor oil.  are also formulated to provide additional protection against low-speed
pre-ignition for turbocharged direct injection gasoline-powered vehicles.

6. The API Service Symbol with FA-4 FA-4

For more information and the FA-4
visit MotorOilMatters.org. Donut identify
certain XW-30 oils specifically formulated for use in select high-speed
four-stroke cycle diesel engines designed to meet 2017 model year
Learn about chemical on-highway greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards. API FA-4 oils
additives in motor oil at are not interchangeable or backward compatible with API CK-4, CJ-4,
AmericanChemistry.com. CI-4 with CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, and CH-4 oils. Refer to engine manufacturer
® recommendations to determine if API FA-4 oils are suitable for use.
The current and previous ILSAC standards and API Service Categories are listed here. Vehicle owners should refer to their owner’s manuals before
consulting these charts. Oils may have more than one performance level.
For automotive gasoline engines, the latest ILSAC standard or API Service Category includes the performance properties of each earlier category and
can be used to service older engines where earlier category oils were recommended.

ILSAC STANDARD FOR PASSENGER CAR ENGINE OILS

Name Status Service

GF-5 Current Introduced in October 2010, designed to provide improved high temperature deposit protection for pistons and
turbochargers, more stringent sludge control, improved fuel economy, enhanced emission control system compatibility,
seal compatibility, and protection of engines operating on ethanol-containing fuels up to E85.

GF-4 Obsolete Use GF-5 where GF-4 is recommended.

GF-3 Obsolete Use GF-5 where GF-3 is recommended.

GF-2 Obsolete Use GF-5 where GF-2 is recommended.

GF-1 Obsolete Use GF-5 where GF-1 is recommended.

GASOLINE ENGINES (Follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations on oil performance levels)
Category Status Service

SN Current Introduced in October 2010, designed to provide improved high temperature deposit protection for pistons, more
stringent sludge control, and seal compatibility. API SN with Resource Conserving matches ILSAC GF-5 by combining
API SN performance with improved fuel economy, turbocharger protection, emission control system compatibility, and
protection of engines operating on ethanol-containing fuels up to E85.

SM Current For 2010 and older automotive engines.

SL Current For 2004 and older automotive engines.

SJ Current For 2001 and older automotive engines.

SH Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most gasoline-powered automotive engines built after 1996. May not provide
adequate protection against build-up of engine sludge, oxidation, or wear.

SG Obsolete CAUTION:
Not suitable for use in most gasoline-powered automotive engines built after 1993. May not provide
adequate protection against build-up of engine sludge, oxidation, or wear.

SF Obsolete CAUTION:
Not suitable for use in most gasoline-powered automotive engines built after 1988. May not provide
adequate protection against build-up of engine sludge.

SE Obsolete CAUTION:
Not suitable for use in most gasoline-powered automotive engines built after 1979.

SD Obsolete CAUTION:
Not suitable for use in most gasoline-powered automotive engines built after 1971. Use in more modern
engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.

SC Obsolete CAUTION:
Not suitable for use in most gasoline-powered automotive engines built after 1967. Use in more modern
engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.

SB Obsolete CAUTION:
Not suitable for use in most gasoline-powered automotive engines built after 1951. Use in more modern
engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.

SA Obsolete CAUTION:
Contains no additives. Not suitable for use in most gasoline-powered automotive engines built after 1930.
Use in modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.
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American Petroleum Institute • Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System • 1220 L Street, NW • Washington, DC 20005-4070 • USA • Telephone: 202-682-8516 • Email: [email protected] • www.api.org/eolcs
Copyright 2018 – American Petroleum Institute, all rights reserved. API, the API logo, the Oil Matters shield, the Motor Oil Matters seal, the Diesel Oil Matters shield, the API Certification Mark (Starburst), the API Service Symbol
(Donut), the API Service Symbol with CI-4 PLUS mark, the API Service Symbol with FA-4 mark, “Motor Oil Matters,” “Diesel Oil Matters,” and “Which Oil Is Right For You?” are either trademarks or registered trademarks of API
in the United States and/or other countries. API Global Marketing & Creative: 2018-143 | 06.18 | XX |  
DIESEL ENGINES (Follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations on oil performance levels)
Category Status Service

CK-4 Current API Service Category CK-4 describes oils for use in high-speed four-stroke cycle diesel engines designed to meet 2017
model year on-highway and Tier 4 non-road exhaust emission standards as well as for previous model year diesel
engines. These oils are formulated for use in all applications with diesel fuels ranging in sulfur content up to 500 ppm
(0.05% by weight). However, the use of these oils with greater than 15 ppm (0.0015% by weight) sulfur fuel may impact
exhaust aftertreatment system durability and/or oil drain interval. These oils are especially effective at sustaining emission
control system durability where particulate filters and other advanced aftertreatment systems are used. API CK-4 oils
are designed to provide enhanced protection against oil oxidation, viscosity loss due to shear, and oil aeration as well as
protection against catalyst poisoning, particulate filter blocking, engine wear, piston deposits, degradation of low- and
high-temperature properties, and soot-related viscosity increase. API CK-4 oils exceed the performance criteria of API
CJ-4, CI-4 with CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, and CH-4 and can effectively lubricate engines calling for those API Service Categories.
When using CK-4 oil with higher than 15 ppm sulfur fuel, consult the engine manufacturer for service interval recommendations.
CJ-4 Current For high-speed four-stroke cycle diesel engines designed to meet 2010 model year on-highway and Tier 4 non-road
exhaust emission standards as well as for previous model year diesel engines. These oils are formulated for use in all
applications with diesel fuels ranging in sulfur content up to 500 ppm (0.05% by weight). However, the use of these oils
with greater than 15 ppm (0.0015% by weight) sulfur fuel may impact exhaust aftertreatment system durability and/or
drain interval. API CJ-4 oils exceed the performance criteria of API CI-4 with CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, CH-4, CG-4 and CF-4 and
can effectively lubricate engines calling for those API Service Categories. When using CJ-4 oil with higher than 15 ppm
sulfur fuel, consult the engine manufacturer for service interval.
CI-4 Current Introduced in 2002. For high-speed, four-stroke engines designed to meet 2004 exhaust emission standards implemented
in 2002. CI-4 oils are formulated to sustain engine durability where exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is used and are
intended for use with diesel fuels ranging in sulfur content up to 0.5% weight. Can be used in place of CD, CE, CF-4,
CG-4, and CH-4 oils. Some CI-4 oils may also qualify for the CI-4 PLUS designation.
CH-4 Current Introduced in 1998. For high-speed, four-stroke engines designed to meet 1998 exhaust emission standards. CH-4 oils
are specifically compounded for use with diesel fuels ranging in sulfur content up to 0.5% weight. Can be used in place
of CD, CE, CF-4, and CG-4 oils.
CG-4 Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 2009.
CF-4 Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 2009.
CF-2 Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 2009. Two-stroke cycle engines
may have different lubrication requirements than four-stroke engines, so the manufacturer should be
contacted for current lubrication recommendations.
CF Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 2009. Later “C” category oils
are usually suitable or preferred for diesel automotive engines for which “CF” oils were specified. Older
equipment and/or two-stroke diesel engines, especially those calling for monograde products, may
however require “CF” category oil.
CE Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 1994.
CD-II Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 1994.
CD Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 1994.
CC Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered engines built after 1990.
CB Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered engines built after 1961.
CA Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered engines built after 1959.

FA-4 Current API Service Category FA-4 describes certain XW-30 oils specifically formulated for use in select high-speed four-stroke
cycle diesel engines designed to meet 2017 model year on-highway greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards. These
oils are formulated for use in on-highway applications with diesel fuel sulfur content up to 15 ppm (0.0015% by weight).
Refer to individual engine manufacturer recommendations regarding compatibility with API FA-4 oils. These oils are
blended to a high temperature high shear (HTHS) viscosity range of 2.9cP–3.2cP to assist in reducing GHG emissions.
These oils are especially effective at sustaining emission control system durability where particulate filters and other
advanced aftertreatment systems are used. API FA-4 oils are designed to provide enhanced protection against oil
oxidation, viscosity loss due to shear, and oil aeration as well as protection against catalyst poisoning, particulate filter
blocking, engine wear, piston deposits, degradation of low- and high-temperature properties, and soot-related viscosity
increase. API FA-4 oils are not interchangeable or backward compatible with API CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4 with CI-4 PLUS, CI-4,
and CH-4 oils. Refer to engine manufacturer recommendations to determine if API FA-4 oils are suitable for use. API FA-4
oils are not recommended for use with fuels having greater than 15 ppm sulfur. For fuels with sulfur content greater than
15 ppm, refer to engine manufacturer recommendations.