Is branded lube oil worth the extra money?

S

Shearwater

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The local boat yard uses Volvo and charges in the region of 60 euros for 5 litres (just for the oil - not labour). Oil from a local filling station is 45 or 48 euros/5 litres and in a supermarket (Carrefore) I paid 27 euros/ 5 litres. These are all 20-50. Are the higher prices worthwhile in an old non-turbo Perkins? I guess with an old sloppy but loved engine, cheap n cheerful oil is OK, yes?, so long as it's changed every...what 50 hours or so?? (I notice in an archived thread someone said they paid £8 for 5 litres in Asda......lucky you!!)
 
on most old engines cheap oil is fine. this is because they were designed with lower quality oil in mind when they was built. I use the asda cheap and cheerful in my md1b, with regular changes about every 50 hrs or every 1/2 season which ever is sooner.
you can treat your engine to expensive oil but will give you little reward if any for the price.
 
[ QUOTE ]
i always buy on the API spec

[/ QUOTE ] agree, go by the API spec and viscosity but the trouble is that for the modern engines VP recommend oils that comply with the "Volvo Drain Specification" VDS.

Don't really know what that's all about but I'm sure is irrelevant to the average yacht engine. Applicable really to truck fleet operators I think.
 
I go for the spec and a reputable retailer or supplier. e.g. I would not buy oil from a market trader unknown to me and not branded from a reputable company. Motor factors are always a good bet. Or a major store -- Asda, Tesco, whatever.
 
I would avoid the higher spec oils. The extra addatives can clean off the deposits around the engine and this can block the oilways. About a week after reading about this in a magazine it happened to friend of mine and the resulting lack of oil ruined his engine.
Allan
 
[I would avoid the higher spec oils.]

The API index has dropped many oils as "Obsolete" & superceeded by newer versions.




GUIDE TO SAE VISCOSITY GRADES OF MOTOR OIL FOR PASSENGER CARS
API’s Service Symbol and Certification Mark identify quality engine 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. More than 500 companies worldwide participate in this voluntary program, which is backed
by a marketplace sampling and testing program.
1. Starburst: An oil displaying this mark meets the current engine protection
standard and fuel economy requirements of the International Lubricant Standardization
and Approval Committee (ILSAC), a joint effort of U.S. and Japanese automobile
manufacturers. Most automobile manufacturers recommend oils that carry the API
Certification Mark.
2. Performance Level:
Gasoline engine oil categories (for cars, vans, and light trucks with gasoline engines):
Oils designed for gasoline-engine service fall under API’s “S” (Service) categories.
See reverse for descriptions of current and obsolete API service categories.
Diesel engine oil categories (for heavy-duty trucks and vehicles with diesel engines):
Oils designed for diesel-engine service fall under API’s “C” (Commercial) categories.
See reverse for descriptions of current and obsolete API service categories.
3. Viscosity Grade: The measure of an oil’s thickness and ability to flow at certain
temperatures. Vehicle requirements may vary. Follow your vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations on SAE oil viscosity grade.
4. Energy Conserving: The “Energy Conserving” designation applies to oils
intended for gasoline-engine cars, vans, and light trucks. Widespread use of “Energy
Conserving” oils may result in an overall savings of fuel in the vehicle fleet as a whole.
5. CI-4 PLUS: Used in conjunction with API CI-4, 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. Like Energy
Conserving, CI-4 PLUS appears in the lower portion of the API Service Symbol “Donut.”
GUIDELINES TO HELP
YOU GET MORE FROM
YOUR MOTOR OIL
Refer to your owner’s manual for
type of oil to use.
Follow manufacturer’s oil change
recommendations.
Use only the recommended API
category: “S” for gasoline engines;
“C” for diesel engines.
Select the proper SAE oil
viscosity grade.
If you find it necessary to mix
brands of oil, use the same
viscosity grade and API service
category to maintain performance.
Properly dispose of used oil.
Learn more about recycling
used oil on the web at
www.recycleoil.org. Go to
www.earth911.org for used
oil collection center locations.
Look for the API Quality Marks
every time you buy motor oil.
Ask for API-licensed oil
whenever you have your
oil changed.
3
2
4
For more information about API’s Engine Oil Program, visit our website at www.api.org/eolcs.
Copyright 2004 - American Petroleum Institute. All rights reserved. API, the API logo, the API Service Symbol (Donut), the API Service Symbol with CI-4 PLUS logo and the API
Certification Mark (Starburst) are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the American Petroleum Institute in the United States and/or other countries. Printed in U.S.A.
API Creative Services | 24137 | 09.04 | Product No. F1551MO
If lowest expected outdoor temperature is Typical SAE Viscosity Grades for Passenger Cars
0°C (32°F)
–18°C (0°F)
Below –18°C (0°F)
5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40, 20W-50
5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40
5W-20, 5W-30
1 5
MOTOR OIL GUIDE AMERICAN
PETROLEUM
INSTITUTE
API® Service Symbol
“Donut”
API® Service Symbol “Donut”
with CI-4 PLUS
API® Certification Mark
“Starburst”
® ® ®
Multigrade oils such as SAE 5W-30 and 10W-30 are widely used because, under all but extremely hot or
cold conditions, they are thin enough to flow at low temperatures and thick enough to perform satisfactorily
at high temperatures. Note that vehicle requirements may vary. Follow your vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations on SAE oil viscosity grade.
Which oil is right for you?
The current and previous API Service Categories are listed below.
Vehicle owners should refer to their owner’s manuals before
consulting these charts. Oils may have more than one performance
level.
For automotive gasoline engines, the latest engine oil service
category includes the performance properties of each earlier
category. If an automotive owner’s manual calls for an API SJ
or SL oil, an API SM oil will provide full protection. For diesel
engines, the latest category usually – but not always – includes
the performance properties of an earlier category.
Note: API intentionally omitted “SI” and “SK” from the sequence of
categories. For more information about API’s Engine Oil Program, visit
our website at www.api.org/eolcs.
Copyright 2004 - American Petroleum Institute. All rights reserved.
API, the API logo, the API Service Symbol (Donut), the API Service
Symbol with CI-4 PLUS logo and the API Certification Mark (Starburst)
are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the American
Petroleum Institute in the United States and/or other countries.
Printed in U.S.A. Creative Services | 24137 | 09.04 | Product No. F1551MO
For all automotive engines currently
in use. Introduced November 30, 2004,
SM oils are designed to provide improved
oxidation resistance, improved deposit
protection, better wear protection, and
better low-temperature performance over
the life of the oil. Some SM oils may also
meet the latest ILSAC specification
and/or qualify as Energy Conserving.
For 2004 and older automotive engines.
For 2001 and older automotive engines.
For 1996 and older engines. Valid when
preceded by current C categories.
For 1993 and older engines.
For 1988 and older engines.
CAUTION—Not suitable for use in
gasoline-powered automotive engines
built after 1979.
CAUTION—Not suitable for use in
gasoline-powered automotive engines
built after 1971. Use in more modern
engines may cause unsatisfactory
performance or equipment harm.
CAUTION—Not suitable for use in
gasoline-powered automotive engines
built after 1967. Use in more modern
engines may cause unsatisfactory
performance or equipment harm.
CAUTION—Not suitable for use in
gasoline-powered automotive engines
built after 1963. Use in more modern
engines may cause unsatisfactory
performance or equipment harm.
CAUTION—Contains no additives. Not
suitable for use in gasoline-powered
automotive engines built after 1930.
Use in modern engines may cause
unsatisfactory engine performance
or equipment harm.
Gasoline Engines
Category Status Service
SJ Current
Current
SH Obsolete
SG Obsolete
SF Obsolete
SE Obsolete
SD Obsolete
SC Obsolete
SB Obsolete
SA Obsolete
SM
SL
Current
Diesel Engines
Category Status Service
CI-4 Current
CG-4
CF-4
CF-2
Obsolete
CF
Obsolete
CE Obsolete
CD-II Obsolete
CD
CC Obsolete
Obsolete
Current
Current
Current
Current
CB
CA
Introduced in 2002. For high-speed, four-stroke
engines designed to meet 2004 exhaust
emission standards implemented in 2002. CI-4
oils are formulated to sustain engine durability
where exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is used
and are intended for use with diesel fuels
ranging in sulfur content up to 0.5% weight.
Can be used in place of CD, CE, CF-4, CG-4,
and CH-4 oils. Some CI-4 oils may also qualify
for the CI-4 PLUS designation.
Introduced in 1998. For high-speed, four-stroke
engines designed to meet 1998 exhaust
emission standards. CH-4 oils are specifically
compounded for use with diesel fuels ranging
in sulfur content up to 0.5% weight. Can be
used in place of CD, CE, CF-4, and CG-4 oils.
Introduced in 1995. For severe duty, high-speed,
four-stroke engines using fuel with less than
0.5% weight sulfur. CG-4 oils are required for
engines meeting 1994 emission standards.
Can be used in place of CD, CE, and CF-4 oils.
Introduced in 1990. For high-speed, four-stroke,
naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines.
Can be used in place of CD and CE oils.
Introduced in 1994. For severe duty, two-strokecycle
engines. Can be used in place of CD-II
oils.
Introduced in 1994. For off-road, indirectinjected
and other diesel engines including
those using fuel with over 0.5% weight sulfur.
Can be used in place of CD oils.
Introduced in 1985. For high-speed, four-stroke,
naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines.
Can be used in place of CC and CD oils.
Introduced in 1985. For two-stroke cycle
engines.
Introduced in 1955. For certain naturally
aspirated and turbocharged engines.
CAUTION—Not suitable for use in diesel-powered
engines built after 1990.
CAUTION—Not suitable for use in diesel-powered
engines built after 1961.
CAUTION—Not suitable for use in diesel-powered
engines built after 1959.
MOTOR OIL GUIDE AMERICAN
PETROLEUM
INSTITUTE
CH-4 Current
 
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