Outstanding Advantages of API SP Standard Lubricating Oil

Today's market is flooded with numerous lubricant brands, making it challenging for consumers to evaluate which oil is truly of good quality. As a result, establishing standards to measure lubricant quality is extremely important. Most recently, the API SP standard has been released and is considered the benchmark for distinguishing genuine automotive lubricants from low-quality alternatives. What is API SP and what advantages does it offer? Find out below.

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API SP Standard: The Foundation for Consumers to Evaluate Quality Lubricants

1. What is API SP?

API SP is the latest engine oil standard issued by the American Petroleum Institute on May 1, 2020. Released more than 10 years after the previous API version, API SP enables modern engines to maximize performance and enhance engine protection.

This is a standard that all current lubricants aspire to achieve. However, it is not easy as products must pass 7 rigorous tests. AMSOIL automotive oil from the United States is among the few brands to achieve this standard early.

API SP is fully backward compatible with previous API specifications, including API SM, SN, and SN Plus. Alongside the API SP launch, the American Petroleum Institute also introduced the ILSAC GF-6 standard specifically for fuel-efficient lubricant grades such as 0w20, 5w20, 5w30, and 20w50.

Meanwhile, API SP is typically applied to heavy-duty automotive lubricants such as 10w40 and 5w30. Genuine automotive lubricant products meeting the API SP standard are marked with a symbol resembling a traditional donut.

AMSOIL Lubricant Has Been Certified to Meet API SP Standard

2. Outstanding Advantages of API SP Over Previous API Standards

The primary benefit of the API SP standard is engine wear protection and prevention of LSPI—an abnormal combustion phenomenon also called pre-ignition on automotive engines that causes serious damage to major engine components and pistons. Meanwhile, the operation of direct fuel injection (GDI) and turbocharged direct injection (TGD) engines is excellent for fuel economy but can cause LSPI. With API SP, you can achieve fuel savings while preventing this phenomenon.

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