New API SL oils
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
New API SL oils
Take a look at this link:
[link:www.tosco.com/internet_pub/repository/lubes/44_tn3_4.pdf|API SL Oil Specifications]
You need the Adobe Acrobat reader plug-in to view it.
It explains in great detail what goes into formulating and testing the new API SL oils.
Disclaimer: I do not work for Tosco (76 Lubricants) or even use their products.
[link:www.tosco.com/internet_pub/repository/lubes/44_tn3_4.pdf|API SL Oil Specifications]
You need the Adobe Acrobat reader plug-in to view it.
It explains in great detail what goes into formulating and testing the new API SL oils.
Disclaimer: I do not work for Tosco (76 Lubricants) or even use their products.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
New API SL oils
Great information. Thanks for posting the link
What's most interesting is that for 2001, Ford and Honda established test limits for 5w20 oil that go beyond the requirements of API SL/ILSAC GF-3.
So this manufacturer and (presumably) all other oil manufacturers had to produce a 5w20 oil that exceded the API requirement SL, in order to meet the auto manufacturers specifications.
This should be interesting to those who have new trucks that call for 5w20 oil and are considering substituting 5w30 or 10w30 instead.
What's most interesting is that for 2001, Ford and Honda established test limits for 5w20 oil that go beyond the requirements of API SL/ILSAC GF-3.
So this manufacturer and (presumably) all other oil manufacturers had to produce a 5w20 oil that exceded the API requirement SL, in order to meet the auto manufacturers specifications.
This should be interesting to those who have new trucks that call for 5w20 oil and are considering substituting 5w30 or 10w30 instead.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 685
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
New API SL oils
I thought it was interesting that the main reason they wanted longer oil life was for leased vehicles that weren't taken care of properly. I wonder if they're actually planning to recommend longer oil change intervals, or are planning to keep the same ones and just have a larger safety margin...
It looks like a lot of the changes were made to help meet CAFE standards and compensate for people who don't change their oil as often as they should - which makes me wonder how much benefit there is for those of us who change every 3,000 miles and don't mind losing a tenth of a mpg or so (if even that much). Either way, I certainly don't regret my decision to dump the 5w-20 and go to M1 10w-30...I'll wait a few years to see how the 5w-20 works out in other trucks rather than be one of the guinea pigs.
I don't mean to be skeptical, but I've been involved with the auto industry long enough to know that any new product should be avoided for at least the first two years. Some products, like Chevies, should be avoided altogether.
Okay, cheap shot...
Anyway, there is a huge push to get things to market as quickly as possible, and in the rush the later phases get pushed back and often the proper testing is either skipped, falsified, or simply not finished yet when the product goes into production. I get designs all the time that are still in prototype stages and yet are on actual production vehicles - the Escape is a good example, and we all know how well *that* launch went. I doubt they even know yet how the new oil will affect engine life, and even if they did they'd be more than willing to sacrifice durability in order to meet CAFE standards (they did it before when they switched manual trannies to ATF).
The worst thing a car guy can do is get involved with automotive engineering...because once you work in the industry for a while, you see how things really work behind the scenes and it's pretty depressing.
LK
It looks like a lot of the changes were made to help meet CAFE standards and compensate for people who don't change their oil as often as they should - which makes me wonder how much benefit there is for those of us who change every 3,000 miles and don't mind losing a tenth of a mpg or so (if even that much). Either way, I certainly don't regret my decision to dump the 5w-20 and go to M1 10w-30...I'll wait a few years to see how the 5w-20 works out in other trucks rather than be one of the guinea pigs.
I don't mean to be skeptical, but I've been involved with the auto industry long enough to know that any new product should be avoided for at least the first two years. Some products, like Chevies, should be avoided altogether.
Okay, cheap shot...
Anyway, there is a huge push to get things to market as quickly as possible, and in the rush the later phases get pushed back and often the proper testing is either skipped, falsified, or simply not finished yet when the product goes into production. I get designs all the time that are still in prototype stages and yet are on actual production vehicles - the Escape is a good example, and we all know how well *that* launch went. I doubt they even know yet how the new oil will affect engine life, and even if they did they'd be more than willing to sacrifice durability in order to meet CAFE standards (they did it before when they switched manual trannies to ATF).
The worst thing a car guy can do is get involved with automotive engineering...because once you work in the industry for a while, you see how things really work behind the scenes and it's pretty depressing.
LK
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
New API SL oils
The best news is that 5w30 meeting the new standard is possibly the best all-around conventional oil ever offered. I am still leary of the 5w20. I just don't like being the 'first kid on the block'. I have contacted Ford's corporate office (no answer yet, its only been a few days) to find out if non-use of the spec. 5w20 will void the engine warranty. 
