05/08/2011 API Oil Service Categories

American
Petroleum
Institute
Motor Oil Guide
Which oil is right for Diesel Engines
you? Category Status Service
Introduced September
5, 2002. For high-
The current and previous API Service Categories speed, four-stroke
are listed below. Vehicle owners should refer to engines designed to
their owner's manuals before consulting these meet 2004 exhaust
emission standards
charts. Oils may have more than one performance
implemented in 2002.
level. CI-4 oils are
formulated to sustain
For automotive gasoline engines, the latest engine engine durability
oil service category includes the performance
CI-4 Current where exhaust gas
recirculation (EGR) is
properties of each earlier category. If an
used and are intended
automotive owner's manual calls for an API SJ or for use with diesel
SL oil, an API SM oil will provide full protection. fuels ranging in sulfur
For diesel engines, the latest category usually - but content up to 0.5%
weight. Can be used
not always - includes the performance properties
in place of CD, CE,
of an earlier category. CF-4, CG-4, and CH-4
oils.
Introduced in 1998.
Gasoline Engines For high-speed, four-
stroke engines
Category Status Service designed to meet
For all automotive 1998 exhaust
engines presently in emission standards.
use. Introduced CH-4 oils are
November 30, 2004. specifically
CH-4 Current compounded for use
SM oils are designed
to provide improved with diesel fuels
oxidation resistence, ranging in sulfur
improved deposit content up to 0.5%
protection, better wear weight. Can be used
SM Current protection, and better in place of CD, CE,
low-temperature CF-4, and CG-4 oils.
performance over the
life of the oil. Some SM Introduced in 1995.
oils may also meet the For severe duty, high
latest ILSAC speed, four-stroke
specification and/or engines using fuel
qualify as Energy with less than 0.5%
Conserving. weight sulfur. CG-4
CG-4 Current oils are required for
For 2004 and older
SL Current automotive engines. engines meeting 1994
emission standards.
For 2001 and older Can be used in place
SJ Current automotive engines. of CD, CE, and CF-4
For 1996 and older oils.
engines. Valid when Introduced in 1990.
SH Obsolete preceded by current C For high-speed, four-
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05/08/2011 API Oil Service Categories
categories. stroke, naturally
SG Obsolete
For 1993 and older CF-4 Current aspirated and
engines. turbocharged engines.
For 1988 and older Can be used in place
SF Obsolete engines. of CD and CE oils.
Introduced in 1994.
CAUTION - Not
For severe duty, two-
suitable for use in
SE Obsolete gasoline-powered CF-2 Current stroke cycle engines.
Can be used in place
automobile engines
of CD-II oils.
build after 1979.
Introduced in 1994.
CAUTION - Not
For off-road, indirect
suitable for use in
injected and other
gasoline-powered
diesel engines
automobile engines
including those using
build after 1971. Use in CF Current
SD Obsolete more modern engines
fuel with over 0.5%
weight sulfur. Can be
may cause
used in place of CD
unsatisfactory
oils.
performance or
equipment harm.
Introduced in 1987.
CAUTION - Not For high-speed, four-
suitable for use in stroke, naturally
gasoline-powered CE Obsolete aspirated and
automobile engines turbocharged engines.
SC Obsolete build after 1967. Use in Can be used in place
more modern engines of CC and CD oils.
may cause
Introduced in 1987.
unsatisfactory
performance or CD-II Obsolete For two-stroke-cycle
engines.
equipment harm.
Introduced in 1955.
CAUTION - Not For certain naturally
suitable for use in CD Obsolete aspirated and
gasoline-powered turbocharged engines.
automobile engines
build after 1963. Use in For engines
SB Obsolete CC Obsolete introduced in 1961.
more modern engines
may cause For moderate duty
unsatisfactory CB Obsolete engines from 1949 to
performance or 1960.
equipment harm.
For light duty engines
CAUTION - Not CA Obsolete (1940's and 1950's).
suitable for use in Copyright 2004 - American Petroleum Institute. All rights
gasoline-powered reserved. API, the API logo, the API Service Symbol (Donut), the
automobile engines API Service Symbol with CI-4 PLUS logo and the API
build after 1930. Use in Certification Mark (Starburst) are either trademarks or registered
SA Obsolete more modern engines
trademarks of the American Petroleum Institute in the United
States and / or other countries. Printed in U.S.A.
may cause
unsatisfactory
performance or
equipment harm.
Note: API intentionally omitted SI and SK from the sequence of
categories. For more information about API's Engine Oil Program,
visit our web site at www.api.org/eolcs.

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