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Which oil is right for you?
The current and previous API Service Categories are listed below. 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 engine oil service category includes the performance properties of each earlier category. If an automotive owner's manual calls for an API SJ or SL oil, an API SM oil will provide full protection. For diesel engines, the latest category usually - but not always - includes the performance properties of an earlier category.
| | Gasoline Engines
| | Category | Status | Service
| | SM | Current | For all automotive engines presently in use. Introduced November 30, 2004. SM oils are designed to provide improved oxidation resistence, improved deposit protection, better wear protection, and better low-temperature performance over the life of the oil. Some SM oils may also meet the latest ILSAC specification and/or qualify as Energy Conserving.
| | SL | Current | For 2004 and older automotive engines.
| | SJ | Current | For 2001 and older automotive engines.
| | SH | Obsolete | For 1996 and older engines. Valid when preceded by current C categories.
| | SG | Obsolete | For 1993 and older engines.
| | SF | Obsolete | For 1988 and older engines.
| | SE | Obsolete | CAUTION - Not suitable for use in gasoline-powered automobile engines build after 1979.
| | SD | Obsolete | CAUTION - Not suitable for use in gasoline-powered automobile engines build after 1971. Use in more modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.
| | SC | Obsolete | CAUTION - Not suitable for use in gasoline-powered automobile engines build after 1967. Use in more modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.
| | SB | Obsolete | CAUTION - Not suitable for use in gasoline-powered automobile engines build after 1963. Use in more modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.
| | SA | Obsolete | CAUTION - Not suitable for use in gasoline-powered automobile engines build after 1930. Use in more modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.
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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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| Diesel Engines
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| Category
| Status
| Service
| | CI-4 | Current | Introduced September 5, 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.
| | 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 | Current | Introduced in 1995. For severe duty, high speed, four-stroke engines using fuel with less than 0.5% weight sulfur. CG-4 oils are required for engines meeting 1994 emission standards. Can be used in place of CD, CE, and CF-4 oils.
| | CF-4 | Current | Introduced in 1990. For high-speed, four-stroke, naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines. Can be used in place of CD and CE oils.
| | CF-2 | Current | Introduced in 1994. For severe duty, two-stroke cycle engines. Can be used in place of CD-II oils.
| | CF | Current | Introduced in 1994. For off-road, indirect injected and other diesel engines including those using fuel with over 0.5% weight sulfur. Can be used in place of CD oils.
| | CE | Obsolete | Introduced in 1987. For high-speed, four-stroke, naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines. Can be used in place of CC and CD oils.
| | CD-II | Obsolete | Introduced in 1987. For two-stroke-cycle engines.
| | CD | Obsolete | Introduced in 1955. For certain naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines.
| | CC | Obsolete | For engines introduced in 1961.
| | CB | Obsolete | For moderate duty engines from 1949 to 1960.
| | CA | Obsolete | For light duty engines (1940's and 1950's).
| | Copyright 2004 - American Petroleum Institute. All rights reserved. API, the API logo, the API Service Symbol (Donut), the API Service Symbol with CI-4 PLUS logo and the API Certification Mark (Starburst) are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the American Petroleum Institute in the United States and / or other countries. Printed in U.S.A.
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