Explain the Terms on the Oil Bottles Such as API SM/CF

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-	Does Oil Suffer if Engine Overheats due to Coolant Loss?
-	Is Mobil 1 a Detergent Motor Oil?
-	Should Filters be Changed Mid-way Through Extended Oil Drains?
-	What's the Zinc Level of the Two 15W-50 Mobil 1 Products?
-	Does ExxonMobil Manufacture Goodwrench Motor Oil?
-	Explain the Differences Between the Diesel Motor Oils
-	Does a New Toyota Camry Have to Break In on Conventional Oil?
-	Why Does a Mustang Use Less Fuel Using Mobil 1 0W-40?
-	Is Mobil 1 10W-30 a Good Choice for Dodge Manual Transmissions?
-	Do New Diesel Engines Use More Oil Initially?
-	What Lubricant is Best for Transmission Syncros?
-	Is There Any Harm to Mixing Different Mobil 1 Viscosities?
-	Dealer Suggested Going 10,000 Miles Between Oil Changes on Mobil 1
-	Explain Why Stores Cite Complexities Around Ordering Mobil Delvac 1
-	Is Mobil 1 0W-40 Appropriate for American-Built Vehicles?
-	Any Horsepower Loss Using 15W-50 Compared to Mobil 1 10W-30?
-	Explain the Differences between Mobil 1 and Mobil 1 Extended Performance
-	Are 0W Oils Thick Enough for Use in Hot Weather?
-	Can a BMW Go 19,000 Miles Between Oil Changes?
-	Any Plans to Produce Mobil 1 High Mileage 5W-30?
-	Will Switching to 0W-40 be Better for a Toyota Tacoma in a Hot Climate?
-	Will Switching to Mobil 1 High Mileage Decrease Burn-off in a Performance Car?
-	Does Mobil 1 Extended Performance Result in More Engine Wear as Amsoil Claims?
-	Any Plans for Cartridge-Style Filters in the Mobil 1 Extended Performance Line?
-	Impact of Phosphorous Levels in Mobil 1 Motorcycle Oil on Catalytic Converters
-	Have Group 3 Base Oils Been Substituted for Better PAO Base Oils?
-	Can Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck be Used in Place of Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40?
-	Is Synthetic Oil Bad for Diesel Engines?
-	Phosphorous Levels of Mobil Conventional Oils
-	Mixing Motor Oil to Reach the Right ZDDP Level for Classic Cars
-	Is a 15W-50 Oil Too Thick for Cold Temperatures, and Would Mixing with 0W-40 be Better?
-	What Oil to Use in Harley-Davidson Primary Drives
-	Will Mobil 1 Cause Coking Deposits in Older Porsches to Loosen?
-	Does 5W-20 Motor Oil Offer Fuel Economy Advantage over 5W-30?
-	Explain the Advantages of Using Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF
-	Are More Frequent Oil Changes Required in Humid Locations?
-	Any Harm Switching On and Off of a High Mileage Motor Oil?
-	How Often Should Engines be Started
-	Protection Offered in Dusty Environments by Synthetics
-	Should Synthetic Oil Darkening in Color be Changed?
-	Is the Mobil 1 Sold in Jugs at Wal-Mart the Same as Product Sold Elsewhere
-	Will Mobil Oils Continue Providing SL Rated Protection
-	Is Mobil 1 0W-40 Being Discontinued?
-	Is Synthetic Oil Responsible for Low Oil Pressure
-	What to Use for Camshaft Break-in
-	Will Using a 0W-20 Oil Help Reduce Valve Noise During the Winter
-	Mobil 1 Product for New Cars Requiring a 5W-50W Oil
-	Reason for Check Valves in Engine Oil Filters
-	Value of Changing to Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40
-	Will Mobil 1 Extended Performance Hold Up in a Turbocharged Car?
-	Explain the Terms on the Oil Bottles Such as API SM/CF
-	Best Oil for a High-Performance, High-Heat Engine
-	Multi-Displacement Engines and Engine Oil Viscosity
-	Will Sulfur in Gear Oil Harm Manual Transmission Synchronizers?
-	What Is the Preferred Method of Draining Oil?
-	Correct Oil for Older Engines with Mechanical Pushrods
-	Proper Change Interval to Avoid Moisture Buildup in Infrequently Driven Cars
-	Did Switching from Synthetic to Conventional Oil Contribute to Engine Stalling and Hard Starts?
-	Explain Symbol on Oil Filter
-	Will Mobil 1 0W-40 be Available in Jugs?
-	Will Mixing Synthetic with Conventional Oil Cause a Gel to Form?
-	Is Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40 Being Discontinued?
-	Please Clarify if Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Lube LS 75W-90 is a Limited Slip Product?
-	Should 1996 Pickup be Switched to Mobil 1 High Mileage?
-	Will a Highly Modified Car Benefit More from Mobil 1 Extended Performance 10W-30 or Mobil 1 15W-50
-	Can Today's Mobil 1 15W-50 be Used in Diesel Engines?
-	Do Mobil 1 Filters Contain a Lubricated Filter Gasket as Advertised
-	Where on the Bottle is the Manufactured Date?
-	Explain the Difference Between Mobil 1 and Mobil 1 ESP
-	Why Use Mobil 1 0W-40 Instead of Mobil 1 10W-30 in Newer BMWs
-	Why Doesn't Mobil 1 Formally Respond to Amsoil Claims
-	Can 0W-40 be Used Instead of Straight Weight 40W
-	Understanding Viscosity Ratings
-	Using Synthetic Oil with Non Roller Bearing Type Tappets
-	Will You Make Mobil 1 for 4-Stroke Outboards
-	Difference between 5W-40 Products
-	Will Synthetic Oil Degrade Plastic
-	Where Can I Buy Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40
-	Has Zinc Been Removed from Motor Oils
-	Will Mobil 1 High Mileage Help or Contribute to Leaking Seals
-	What Motor Oil to Use in Volkswagen TDI Engines?
-	Using Mobil 1 High Mileage 10W-40 in a Low-Mileage Motorcycle
-	Will Mobil 1 High Mileage Provide Benefits Compared to Conventional High Mileage Oil?
-	Can Leftover Oil be Combined and Used in the Next Oil Change?
-	Comparing Mobil 1 High Mileage 10W-30 to Mobil 1 10W-30
-	Any Reason to Switch to Mobil 1 High Mileage in Car with No Issues
-	Any Plans to Introduce a Low Ash Oil in the US?
-	Is Thicker Oil a Benefit as Engines Age?
-	Is it Okay to Ignore the Oil Change Reminder when Using Oils with Extended Drains?
-	Should a Car Driven 11,000-Miles/Year Stay on Mobil 1 or be Switched to Extended Performance?
-	Need for a Shortened First Drain Interval After Switching to Mobil 1 Extended Performance?
-	Will Using Synthetics After 30,000 Miles Dry Out Seals and Gaskets?
-	Creamy Substance on Dipstick from Rotary Engine
-	Does Inadvertently Adding Transmission Fluid to Oil Cause Problems?
-	Does Extended Wear Oil Need to be Changed Every Year Despite Mileage?
-	Using 0W-40 Motor Oil Instead of 5W-20
-	Difference Between Motor Oil and Transmission Fluid
-	Does Mobil 1 Extended Performance 15W-50 Meet JASO Standards?
-	Will Higher Mileage Vehicles Leak More When Switched to Synthetic Oil?
-	Oil Has Turned Dark and Milky
-	Does Mobil 1 Contain the Additive for Flat Tappet Cams?
-	Do Short Trips Require More Frequent Change-outs When Using Mobil 1 Extended Performance?
-	Containment of Dirt in Engine Oil During Extended Oil Drains
-	Any Problem Having Residual Conventional Oil in the Engine When Switching to Synthetic?
-	Response to Claims that Products Contain Mostly Mineral Oil
-	Future of 5-Quart Jugs of Mobil 1 at Wal-Mart
-	What's the Liquid Dripping from My Grease Gun?
-	Why is Mobil 1, and Not Mobil 1 Extended Performance, Recommended for Newer Corvettes?
-	Is Synthetic Oil Thinner than 'Regular' Oil?
-	Expected Burn Rate for Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil
-	Does Mobil 1 or AMSOIL Provide Best Protection for Longer Drain Intervals?
-	How Do Turbocharged Engines Benefit From Mobil 1
-	Performance Changes to Expect When Switching to Mobil 1 Extended Performance from Conventional Oil
-	Any Reason Not to Use Mobil 1 Extended Performance in Motorcycles with Wet Clutches
-	Does Mobil Have a Synthetic Equivalent for 15W-40?
-	Using an SM-Rated Oil When an SG-Rating is Recommended
-	What Viscosity is Best for a Corvette in Hot Weather Climates?
-	Changing to Synthetic Oil in a New Car
-	Mixing Synthetic and Conventional Motor Oils
-	Should Engines be Flushed When Converting to Synthetic Oil
-	Any Way to Tell if Mobil 1 Was Installed?
-	Lack of a 10W-60 Viscosity in the Mobil Synthetic Product Line
-	Using Mobil 1 in a Mazda Rotary Engine
-	Does Switch to Synthetics Cause 'Dry' Engines to Begin Leaking
-	Will Mobil 1 Reduce Exhaust Smoke in Older Mileage Vehicles
-	Are Chances of Contamination Increased with Longer Change Intervals
-	Mobil Product to Use for Diesel Engines Calling for 15W-40
-	Does Teflon from Oil Filters Impact Oil Performance
-	Use of Mobil 1 in Place of Harley Davidson 20W-50 Oil
-	Response to Amsoil Competitive Claims
-	Use of Mobil 1 0W-40 in an Audi
-	Availability of Mobil 1 Extended Performance 15W-50
-	Shelf Life of Unopened Mobil 1 Quarts
-	Use of Synthetics in Vortec Engines
-	Using Mobil Synthetics in ATVs with Single Oil Supply for Transmission and Engine
-	Types of Synthetic Fluids in Mobil 1 Extended Performance
-	Do Oil Stabilizers Make Conventional Oil Equal to Synthetics
-	Presence of Zinc in Engine Oils
-	Use of Mobil 1 Extended Performance in a Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS
-	Oil Change Interval for Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel 5W-40 in a Dodge W2500 Pickup
-	Motor Oil for a Triumph Bonneville
-	Use of Additives with Mobil Engine Oils
-	Oil for Volkswagen TDI Diesel Engines
-	Using a 5W-30 Oil When Warranty Calls for 5W-20
-	Motor Oil for Honda Lawnmower
-	Oil Filter Change Interval with Mobil 1 Extended Performance
-	Switching to Synthetic Oil in Higher Mileage Vehicles
-	Explaining Viscosity Designations
-	Recommended Oil Change Intervals for Mobil Motor Oils
-	Difference Between Car and Motorcycle Oils
-	Protection Provided by 5W-20 Motor Oil
-	Applicability of Synthetic Motor Oil in a 2003 Chevrolet Impala
-	Judging Viscosity Ranges of Multi-Grade Oils
-	Switching to Mobil 1 In High-Mileage Cars
-	Long Drain Intervals in a BMW
-	Mobil 1 vs Mobil Delvac 1 for a Gasoline Engine
-	Switching From Conventional Motor Oil to Mobil 1
-	Oil Change Intervals in a Low-Mileage Mercedes
-	Protecting an Infrequently Used Engine
-	Storing Opened Bottles of Oil

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Question:

Explain the Terms on the Oil Bottles such as API SM/CF

What exactly does API SM/CF and SL,SJ,SH,SG mean on the oil bottle?

-- Don Haislip, Oak Grove, MO

Answer:

API stands for American Petroleum Institute. In this case, API sets the industry standards for passenger and commercial vehicles. These standards are recognized, and in many cases, developed in conjunction with car and lubricant manufacturers, including ExxonMobil. The letters next to API, such as SM, refer to the quality level of the motor oil. In the case of SM, it’s the highest available standard for passenger vehicle. CF is a diesel engine or commercial vehicle standard and the highest current one is CJ-4. More information is available at the API website: www.api.org.


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