API Engine Oil Service Category Charts

Gasoline Engines
"S" Status Service Gasoline Engines

Designed to provide protection against low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI), timing chain wear
protection, improved high temperature deposit protection for pistons and turbochargers, and more
stringent sludge and varnish control. API SP with Resource Conserving matches ILSAC GF-6A by
combining API SP performance with improved fuel economy, emission control system protection
and protection of engines operating on ethanol-containing fuels up to E85.
API Introduced in
SP May 2020 Further details about API SP...

Licensed from May 1, 2018, API SN Plus is a new API classification that can be used alongside
API API SN, API SN with Resource Conserving and ILSAC GF-5. It was developed in accordance with
SN Introduced in OEMs request for motor oils that can protect from the potentially catastrophic effects of Low-
Plus May 2018 Speed Pre-Ignition (also known as LSPI, more info here).

Introduced in October 2010 for 2011 and older vehicles, designed to provide improved high
temperature deposit protection for pistons, more stringent sludge control, and seal compatibility.
API SN with Resource Conservingmatches ILSAC GF-5 by combining API SN performance with
improved fuel economy, turbocharger protection, emission control systemcompatibility, and
protection of engines operating on ethanol-containing fuels up to E85.
Introduced in
SN October 2010 Further details about API SN...

Category SM oils are designed to provide improved oxidation resistance, improved deposit
Introduced on protection, better wear protection, and better low-temperature performance over the life of the oil.
30 November Some SM oils may also meet the latest ILSAC specification and/or qualify as Energy Conserving.
SM 2004 They may be used where API Service Category SJ and SL earlier categories are recommended.

Category SL was adopted to describe engine oils for use in 2001. It is for use in service typical of
gasoline engines in present and earlier passenger cars, sports utility vehicles, vans and light
trucks operating under vehicle manufacturers recommended maintenance procedures. Oils
meeting API SL requirements have been tested according to the American Chemistry Council
(ACC) Product Approval Code of Practice and may utilize the API Base Oil Interchange and
2001 Gasoline Viscosity Grade Engine Testing Guidelines. They may be used where API Service Category SJ
SL Engine Service and earlier categories are recommended.

Category SJ was adopted in 1996 to describe engine oil first mandated in 1997. It is for use in
service typical of gasoline engines in present and earlier passenger cars, vans, and light trucks
operating under manufacturers recommended maintenance procedures. Oils meeting API SH
requirements have been tested according to the American Chemistry Council (ACC) Product
Approval Code of Practice and may utilize the API Base Oil Interchange and Viscosity Grade
1997 Gasoline Engine Testing Guidelines. They may be used where API Service Category SH and earlier
SJ Engine Service categories are recommended.

SH Obsolete For model year 1996 and older engines.

SG Obsolete For model year 1993 and older engines.

SF Obsolete For model year 1988 and older engines.

SE Obsolete For model year 1979 and older engines.

SD Obsolete For model year 1971 and older engines.

SC Obsolete For model year 1967 and older engines.

SB Obsolete For older engines. Use only when specifically recommended by the manufacturer.

For older engines; no performance requirement. Use only when specifically recommended by the
SA Obsolete manufacturer.

Diesel F Category

"F" Status Service Diesel Engines

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
FA-
Current advanced aftertreatment systems are used. API FA-4 oils are designed to
4
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.
Diesel C Categories

"C" Status Service Diesel Engines

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 - Introduced in 2006 for high-speed four-stroke engines. Designed to

2006 meet 2007 on-highway exhaust emission standards. CJ-4 oils are
compounded for use in all applications with diesel fuels ranging in
sulphur content up to 500ppm (0.05% by weight). However, use of
these oils with greater than 15ppm sulfur fuel may impact exhaust
after treatment system durability and/or oil drain intervals. CJ-4 oils
are effective at sustaining emission control system durability where
particulate filters and other advanced after treatment systems are
used. CJ-4 oils exceed the performance criteria of CF-4, C-4, AH-4 and
C-4.

CI-4 Current - Used in conjunction with API C-4, the " CI-4 PLUS" designation
Plus 2004 identifies oils formulated to provide a higher level of protection
against soot-related viscosity increase and viscosity loss due to shear
in diesel engines. Like Energy Conserving, CI-4 PLUS appears in the
 lower portion of the API Service Symbol "Donut."

CI-4 Severe-Duty The CI-4 performance requirements describe oils for use in those
Diesel Engine high speed, four-stroke cycle diesel engines designed to meet 2004
Service exhaust emission standards, to be implemented October 2002. These
oils are compounded for use in all applications with diesel fuels
ranging in sulfur content up to 0.05% by weight. These oils are
especially effective at sustaining engine durability where Exhaust Gas
Recirculation (EGR) and other exhaust emission componentry may be
used. Optimum protection is provided for control of corrosive wear
tendencies, low and high temperature stability, soot handling
properties, piston deposit control, valve train wear, oxidative
thickening, foaming and viscosity loss due to shear. CI-4 oils are
superior in performance to those meeting API CH-4, CG-4 and CF-4
and can effectively lubricate engines calling for those API Service
Categories.

CH-4 Severe-Duty This service oils are suitable for high speed, four-stroke diesel
Diesel Engine engines designed to meet 1998 exhaust emission standards and are
Service specifically compounded for use with diesel fuels ranging in sulfur
content up to 0.5% weight. CH-4 oils are superior in performance to
those meeting API CF-4 and API CG-4 and can effectively lubricate
engines calling for those API Service Categories.

CG-4 Obsolete This category describes oils for use in high speed four-stroke-cycle
diesel engines used in both heavy-duty on-highway (0.05% wt
sulfur fuel) and off-highway (less than 0.5% wt sulfur fuel)
applications. CG-4 oils provide effective control over high
temperature piston deposits, wear, corrosion, foaming, oxidation
stability, and soot accumulation. These oils are specially effective in
engines designed to meet 1994 exhaust emission standards and
may also be used in engines requiring API Service Categories CD, CE,
and CF-4. Oils designed for this service have been in existence since
1994.

CF-2 Obsolete Service typical of two-stroke cycle diesel engines requiring highly
effective control over cylinder and ring-face scuffing and deposits.
Oils designed for this service have been in existence since 1994 and
may be used when API Service Category CD-II is recommended.
These oils do not necessarily meet the requirements of API CF or CF-
4 unless they pass the test requirements for these categories.
CF Obsolete Service typical of indirect-injection diesel engines and other diesel
engines that use a broad range of fuel types, including those using
fuel with high sulfur content; for example, over 0.5% wt. Effective
control of piston deposits, wear and copper-containing bearing
corrosion is essential for these engines, which may be naturally
aspirated, turbocharged or supercharged. Oils designated for this
service have been in existence since 1994 and may be used when API
Service Category CD is recommended.

CF-4 Obsolete Service typical of high speed, four-stroke cycle diesel engines. API CF-
4 oils exceed the requirements for the API CE category, providing
improved control of oil consumption and piston deposits. These oils
should be used in place of API CE oils. They are particularly suited for
on-highway, heavy-duty truck applications. When combined with the
appropriate S category, they can also be used in gasoline and diesel
powered personal vehicles i.e., passenger cars, light trucks and vans
when recommended by the vehicle or engine manufacturer.

CE Obsolete Service typical of certain turbocharged or supercharged heavy-duty

diesel engines, manufactured since 1983 and operated under both
low speed, high load and high speed, high load conditions. Oils
designed for this service may also be used when API Service Category
CD is recommended.

CD-II Obsolete Service typical of two-stroke cycle diesel engines requiring highly
effective control of wear and deposits. Oils designed for this service
also meet all performance requirements of API Service Category CD.

CD Obsolete Service typical of certain naturally aspirated, turbocharged or

supercharged diesel engines where highly effective control of wear
and deposits is vital, or when using fuels with a wide quality range
(including high-sulfur fuels). Oils designed for this service were
introduced in 1955 and provide protection from high temperature
deposits and bearing corrosion in these diesel engines.

CC Obsolete Service typical of certain naturally aspirated, turbocharged or

supercharged diesel engines operated in moderate to severe-duty
service, and certain heavy-duty gasoline engines. Oils designed for
this service provide protection from bearing corrosion, rust,
corrosion and from high to low temperature deposits in gasoline
engines. They were introduced in 1961.

CB Obsolete Service typical of diesel engines operated in mild to moderate duty,

 but with lower quality fuels, which necessitate more protection from
wear and deposits; occasionally has included gasoline engines in mild
service. Oils designed for this service were introduced in 1949. They
provide necessary protection from bearing corrosion and from high
temperature deposits in naturally aspirated diesel engines with
higher sulfur fuels.

CA Obsolete Service typical of diesel engines operated in mild to moderate duty

with high quality fuels; occasionally has included gasoline engines in
mild service. Oils designed for this service provide protection from
bearing corrosion and ring-belt deposits in some naturally aspirated
diesel engines when using fuels of such quality that they impose no
unusual requirements for wear and deposits protection. They were
widely used in the 1940s and 1950s but should not be used in any
engine unless specifically recommended by the equipment
manufacturer.