API Certification and Service Symbol
Identifies quality motor oils for gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles. Oils displaying these marks meet performance requirements set by U.S. and international vehicle and engine manufacturers and the lubricant industry.
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The "Starburst"
The American Petroleum Institute's (API) "Starburst" means that the oil meets the gold standard of ILSAC, the International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee, which establishes quality specs for the world's lubricant standards - a joint effort of U.S. and Japanese automobile manufacturers.
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The "Donut"
The API "Donut" seal provides performance levels, viscosity grade and savings from fuel conservation. Typically shown on the back of the oil container.
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1. Performance Level
Motor oils designed for cars, vans, and light trucks with API's "S" (Service) categories. Motor oils designed for heavy-duty trucks and vehicles with diesel engines fall under API's "C" (Commercial) categories.
2. Viscosity Grade
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow characteristics, or thickness, at certain temperatures. The temperature requirements set for oil by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) is 0 degrees F (low) and 210 degrees F (high). On an oil container, the low temperature viscosity (e.g. 5W) indicates how quickly an engine will crank in winter and how well the oil will flow to lubricate critical engine parts at low temperatures. The higher temperature viscosity (e.g. 30) provides thickness, or body, for good lubrication at operating or higher temperatures.
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3. Resource Conserving and Energy Conserving
These designations apply to oils intended for gasoline-engine cars, vans and light trucks. Widespread use of "Resource or Energy Conserving" oils may result in an overall savings of fuel in the vehicle fleets a whole.
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4. Multiple Performance Levels
Oils designed for diesel engine service might also meet gasoline service. For these oils the designation is "C" category first followed by the "S" category. "C" category oils have been formulated primarily for diesel engines.
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5. CI-PLUS Designation
The "CI-4 PLUS" designation identifies oils formulated to provide a higher level of protection against soot-related viscosity increase and viscosity loss due to shear in diesel engines.
Source: MotorOilMatters.org
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Oil Changing Specs and NOLN's 2016 Specialty Motor Oil Guide
While we are on the subject of oil, this month's issue of National Oil & Lube News contains a comprehensive and enlightening article entitled: Changing Specs: The Latest on CK-4, FA-4, GF-6 and dexos:1. The article discusses in detail the API's changes to oil standards for diesel engines, effective December 1, 2016, as well as future updates to gasoline oil specs and GM's dexos. The article also focuses on how changing engine technologies require much more specific oils for today's and future cars as regulations call for greater fuel economy and lower emissions. Check it out! |
This issue also includes its 2016 Specialty Motor Oil Guide. As the article explains: "As more and more vehicles roll off the factory floor and into your bays factory-filled with synthetic oils, and since more high-mileage vehicles travel up and down the road then ever before, oil companies are offering specialized oils to meet these needs. If you are not stocking the specialty motor oils - synthetic, synthetic-blend, high-mileage, diesel, etc. - to service the varied vehicles rolling through your bays, you could be at risk of falling behind your competitors."
The 2016 Specialty Motor Oil Guide includes a list of the specialty motor oils that Mighty Auto Parts carries. Contact your local Mighty rep for more information.
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| | Aurelio Barraza of Auto Lube Express
El Paso, Texas |
Oil: Solving the New Stocking Challenge
As the list of new oils continues to grow for today's new cars and in the future, how do shops address the stocking challenge? In the most recent issue of The Mighty PROS, you'll learn how one retailer solved this stocking challenge.
Are you experiencing an oil stocking challenge, looking for ideas on oil stocking options, or are considering adding oil/lubricants to your PM line-up? Then contact your local Mighty rep! He or she can review with you the many solutions and products Mighty offers for your individual situation. Contact your rep today! Not sure who your rep is? Use the Find a Distributor tool on our main website (be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page to enter in your zip code). |
