Explain SG oil to me -- API 101

Crumm

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I need to change the oil in my Honda 4-wheelers. The manual calls for a oil with a SG or higher rating.

I have a case of Mobil Delvac 1300 Super that I would like to use. The 1300 rating is "API CJ-4, CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, CH-4, CF/SM, SL". I have tried to research this a little and found that the CF/SM stands for Commercial Fleet with a SM rating. Looking on the Mobil site they say "API SM quality oil, which is the latest API rating, is recommended where API SL, SJ, SH, SG were originally required". Does this mean I can run the 1300 Super in place of a SG rated oil?

The Delvac 1300 super does say "high performance diesel engine oil" but it also says "Mobil Delvac 1300 Super also meets the API SM specification for gasoline engines" and I guess SM exceeds SG?

Both my 4-wheelers have the Hondamatic-Fully automatic hydromechanical transmissions and I don't want to screw them up but if SM exceeds SG I can use up this oil that I have no other use for.
 

95_stroker

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Question:
Using an SM-Rated Oil When an SG-Rating is Recommended
I just purchased a '92 Corvette and after changing the oil to Mobil 1 Extended Performance I noticed on the hood that it recommends an oil with the API rating of SG. After looking at the empty container it does not have this rating. Is this safe for my vehicle?
-- Larry Morgan, Auburndale, FL
Answer:
API ratings are backward compatible to previous generation ratings. This means that an API SM quality oil, which is the latest API rating, is recommended where API SL, SJ, SH, SG were originally required.

:dunno

Clickit----->>>> :sly
 

Crumm

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So you are telling me it is OK to run Delvac 1300 super high performance diesel engine oil in my Honda ATV ?
 

JLDickmon

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diesel oil generally has different ash, dispersant and anti-foam properties than gasoline motor oil, but using it in the slushbox of a Hondamatic should not be all that big a deal
 

JLDickmon

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yeah.
The problems come when you try to run a gasoline motor oil in a diesel.
 
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MBRPCrazyford

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Crumm, I aint gonna tell you that you shouldn't use the Mobil in your wheelers, but I ALWAYS use Honda motorcycle oil. Motor cycle oil has different additives that regular gasoline oil because the tranny and motor share the oil. It is also designed to hold up better to the high heat and high RPMs of motorcycle engines. Like I said, I'm not sayin that it is or isn't ok, just tellin you what I would do. Oh, and the whole thing of the motorcycle oil came from a good friend who use to work at a Honda motorcycle/ATV dealer and a few other people that are into the whole small engine thing.
 

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