Engine Oils The Facts

Fact Sheet 103

Engine Oils The Facts

The information in this fact sheet is to provide an understanding into engine oils and clarify some facts about
engine oils. There is some confusion surrounding engine oils as the industry has adopted its own terminology
which makes sharing of knowledge very difficult.

The industry Controlling Organisation

There are several organisations that control the lube oil industry globally, but Australia predominantly follows
the US and European systems. The most predominant organisations are
API

- American Petroleum Institute

SAE

- Society of Automotive Engineers

ACEA

- Association des Constructeurs Europeens dAutomobiles

JASO

- Japanese Automotive Standards Organisation

ASTM

- American Society for Testing and Materials

OEMs

- Original Equipment Manufacturers

Ever changing requirements by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), governments and environmental
organisations are the catalysts for changes in engine oil requirements and specifications.
OEMs, API, SAE and ACEA establish new engine oil specifications for new generation engines. The ASTM and
OEMs develop test procedures to ensure the new specifications meet these requirements. All lubricants must
pass specific tests prior to claiming a particular performance category.

www.nulon.com.au
Nulon Products Australia Pty Ltd
17 Yulong Close Moorebank NSW 2170
Freecall: 1800 679 922

www.nulon.com.au
info@nulon.com.au

Engine Oils The Facts

Fact Sheet 103

How to better understand the

information provided on a label
Let us examine the information typically found on a label of an engine oil
bottle. If we look at the numbers and letters on a bottle, for example SAE
10W-40 API SM/CF these all relate to specific important information.
Breaking the information down, the short phrase of SAE 10W-40 API
SM/CF expands into much larger key point of information. Lets look at
each abbreviation:
SAE

Society of Automotive Engineers

API

American Petroleum Institute

10W (Winter) Meeting the low temperature viscometric profile of 10W

grade oil (temperature relating to below zero degrees.
For example 10W would be measured at -25C)
40

Meeting the hot viscometric profile of 40 grade oil

(operating temperature of an engine measured at 100C)

SM

Service, petrol engine performance specification

CF

Commercial, diesel engine performance specification

To explain further:
S designates Service Oils, i.e. automotive gasoline/petrol engines
M specifies the particular performance category for petrol engines
C designates Commercial Oils, i.e. diesel engines
F specifies the particular performance category for diesel engines
So, SM/CF indicates that, according to the API, this particular oil is suited
for use in both petrol and diesel engines of specific types.
SAE 10W-40
This relates to the viscosity (measurement of resistance to flow) of the oil.
In this instance the oil is a multi-grade engine oil, in other words, the oil
is suited to a range of operating temperatures. 10W relates to the low
temperature viscosity, i.e. the oil is thin at low temperatures to facilitate
cold starting. The 40 part of the number relates to the oils ability to
retain its viscosity at elevated operating temperatures.
This very simply describes the basics of defining an oils recommended use
and suitability for a particular engine at certain operating temperatures.
NOTE: Always follow manufacturers oil recommendations.

www.nulon.com.au
Nulon Products Australia Pty Ltd
17 Yulong Close Moorebank NSW 2170
Freecall: 1800 679 922

www.nulon.com.au
info@nulon.com.au

Engine Oils The Facts

Fact Sheet 103

Primary functions of motor oils

To provide a fluid (flexible) film to separate moving components
To dissipate heat
To clean engine components

Major components of an Engine Oil

Base Oil

Mineral and synthetic (Group I,II,III, IV and V)

Viscosity Index Improver Long chain polymer which converts a mono-grade oil to a multi-grade oil
and reduces oil viscosity change
Friction Modifiers

Usually fatty acids, reduces friction & wear

Anti-wear additives

Zinc, reduces wear on highly loaded engine components

Detergent

Metallic soaps, helps clean and keep engine clean

Dispersants

Esters, help to keep particulates in suspension for entrapment by the filter or

until the oil is drained

Corrosion Inhibitors

Zinc based, stops corrosion

Anti-oxidant

Zinc or sulphur based, reduces the oxidation process, thereby increasing the
engine oils service life

Anti-foam

Silicone, suppresses foaming tendency of engine oil

The Real Facts

Australians traditionally are of the opinion that our conditions are tougher than anywhere else in the world so
we need a thick, gutsy oil to provide protection. This is absolute incorrect. We are fortunate in that we can
use the same viscosity oil all year round where Europe and North America experiences extreme temperature
conditions and often have to change oil grades depending on the time of year. Modern multigrade engine
oils like 0W-40 are formulated to flow at very cold ambient temperature (-35C) and operate at hot ambient
temperatures of above 40C.
Many people believe high viscosity oils offer a greater level of protection and reduced oil consumption. The
facts are:
A higher viscosity oil takes longer to circulate and provides minimal protection on initial start-up as it takes
longer to circulate especially in a cold environment.
A very high viscosity engine oil takes longer to be picked up by the oil pump, which may result in severe
engine damage over time.
More energy is consumed to overcome the higher viscosity resulting in increased fuel consumption and
increased operating oil temperatures.
As high viscosity oils are more resistant to flow, oil does not return to the sump as quickly for cooling.
It is true that a higher viscosity oil produces higher oil pressure, but pressure in excess of engine design
requirements is of no significance or benefit.

www.nulon.com.au
Nulon Products Australia Pty Ltd
17 Yulong Close Moorebank NSW 2170
Freecall: 1800 679 922

www.nulon.com.au
info@nulon.com.au

Engine Oils The Facts

Fact Sheet 103

Engine oil quality

The quality of blended engine oil depends on the base oil, quality and quantity of the additive package and the
viscosity index improver. Refer to the manufacturers recommendation and ensure engine oils meet or exceed
that recommendation. Engine oil must meet the performance levels and physical properties of the OEM and
relevant organisations such as API, SAE and ACEA.

Synthetic versus mineral

Although synthetic engine oils are usually more expensive by comparison to mineral engine oils the longer term
benefits are far more beneficial. Quite simply, synthetic oils are better in all respects than mineral-based oils.
Synthetics are more stable across a broader temperature range.
Synthetic engine oils perform better over a longer period
Synthetic engine oils have minimal change in viscosity over the performance life of the oil.
Synthetic oils allow a wider temperature range at higher and lower temperature extremes.
Synthetic oils do break down but at a lower rate compared to conventional engine oils.

Engine Oil Drain Intervals

A common question asked is What is the correct engine oil drain interval for my vehicle?.
Most modern vehicle manufacturers recommend oil drain intervals
from 10,000 km to 15,000 km. These long drain intervals can be
achieved under ideal driving conditions but stop-start and long idling
driving are considered as severe driving condition. The use of a
synthetic engine oil would be the correct choice for these long drain
intervals as synthetic engine oils perform better over a longer period
and have minimal change in viscosity over this period. Shortening
the oil drain interval to suit the driving conditions is also ideal as
changing oil is a cost effective form of engine insurance ensuring
maximum durability and life of an engine.

Summary
When it comes to engine oil, always follow the manufacturers
recommendation and choose a good quality product like Nulon
thats backed by years of global research.

www.nulon.com.au
Nulon Products Australia Pty Ltd
17 Yulong Close Moorebank NSW 2170
Freecall: 1800 679 922

www.nulon.com.au
info@nulon.com.au