Ever wondered what those little codes on your Vehicle/Generator/Industrial Lubricants mean? The SJ,CF,SN,SM,C3... etc. Majority of Lubricant consumers do not have any idea what these codes mean, they just continue buying them as prescribed by their Auto-mechanics.

These Categories are based on the classification of each engine type as agreed upon by the standard Institutes as well as the Car Manufacturers.

TERMINOLOGIES
API : American Petroleum Institute
ACEA : Europe Automobile Manufacturers Association (Association des Constructeurs Europeens d'Automobiles)
ILSAC : International Lubricants Standardization and Approval Committee
SAPS : Sulphated Ash, Phosphorous, Sulphur
OEM : Original Equipment Manufacturer
SAE : Society of Automotive Engineers

While these associations classify different oils (Motor and gear oil) according to their specifications, some oils may contain either ACEA or API or both certification.

The manufacturer recommends genuine OEM oil, but can you use another oil?

Below is a guide to give you a clear understanding of what's what when you are looking for the right oil.

Here's a few basics when it comes to lubricants:

Each has a unique purpose for which it is intended (i.e. Motor oil(Petrol and Diesel), Gear oil(Manual Transmission and Industrial gears), Automatic Transmission fluid, Hydraulic Oils, Turbine and Compressor Oils, Circulatory and Metal-Cutting Oils, etc)

Each has a unique viscosity, like;

• 10W/40 or 15W/50 etc for Engine oils

• 75W/90, 80W/90 or 85W/140 etc for Gear oils

• ISO VG 32, 46, 68, 100 for Hygraulic Oils.

• ISO VG 68,100,150 for Compressor Oils


Some lubricants will also have OEM approvals that it carries and the codes (i.e. MB229.3, VW503.00, BMW LL01 etc)

You might find Dexos1 or Dexos2 approved or Dexos2 Specific.

Some may be OEM specific, as in the Motul Specific VW504-507 5W30.


All oils are intended for an application and in general are not interchangeable. You would not for example put an Automatic Transmission Oil or a Gear Oil in your engine! It's important to know what the oil's intended purpose is.

The classification of Lubricants is based on these two factors:


VISCOSITY

Most oils on the shelves today are "Multigrades", which simply means that the oil falls into 2 viscosity grades (i.e. 10W/40 etc). However, monogrades e.g (SAE 30, 40,50 etc) can only work in a specific temperature.

Multigrades were first developed some 50 years ago to avoid the old routine of using a thinner oil in winter and a thicker oil in summer.

Engine oils are rated in two ways: cold viscosity and hot viscosity. This rating will be displayed on the bottle, and gives you an idea how well it’ll respond to cold startups - particularly important for people who live in colder climates - as well as its thickness at high temperatures.


The first number e.g 10 (in 10W/40), which will be attached to the letter ‘W’ (which stands for ‘Winter’), is the cold rating. The lower the number, the lower the temperature it will work in - if the number is too high and you try to start your car in freezing temperatures, the oil might be too thick to get flowing, and your engine may not start.


The second number e.g 40, is the viscosity of the oil when tested at temperatures indicative of a running engine. The higher the number the thicker the oil. If you run your engine at high speeds or under heavy load, for example towing a trailer, you want a higher number. Your car’s manual will let you know what viscosity oil to use.


SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications are important as these indicate the performance of the oil and whether they have met or passed the latest tests, or whether the formulation is effectively obsolete or out of date. There are two specifications that you should look for on any oil bottle and these are API (American Petroleum Institute) and ACEA (Association des Constructeurs Europeens d'Automobiles) all good oils should contain both of these, and an understanding of what they mean is important.


API and ACEA specification ratings for each Lubricant will follow in next Updates.

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Which type of Lubricant do YOU use?

Source>>http://lubestoday..com.ng/2016/04/apiaceasapsilsacsaeoemwhat-do-they-all_14.html#moremore

Very insightful

5w40. Total quartz 9000.

Nice info. More drivers need to understand the basics of oil in order to make the right choices for the protection of their engines.

Please endeavor to use the recommended oil to avoid sad tales.

Get in touch 09086679585 to access the US Spec Mobil-1 Advanced Synthetic oil and Toyota Motor Oil 5w20 and 5w30.

9icetoo:
5w40. Total quartz 9000.

Nice Oil grade you got there. Total quartz seems to be the most popular among Nigerian Vehicle owners. Ever tried any other brands,any issues with them??