What is the difference between SN and SP oil?

Mondo Cars Updated on 2024-01-31

There are certain differences between SN and SP engine oils in terms of application range, sulfur and phosphorus content, friction performance, fuel economy and environmental performance. With the development of the world, as the "blood" of the automobile engine, the quality and performance of engine oil play a vital role in the performance and life of the car. In the market, we can often see the grade of engine oil marked as SN and SP, so what is the difference between SN and SP oil?Let's take a closer look.

First of all, we need to understand the classification of engine oil grades. The oil grade is divided by the American Petroleum Institute (API) according to the performance and range of use of the oil, from low to high: SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF, SG, SH, SJ, SK, SL, SM, SN, SP. Among them, SN and SP are the two newer grades, and they are also the more common ones in the market at present.

The main difference between SN and SP oils is the car emission standards and engine type they apply to. SN engine oil is suitable for gasoline vehicles with China V emission standards and below, while SP engine oil is suitable for gasoline vehicles with China VI and below emission standards. This is because SN and SP oils differ in terms of sulfur and phosphorus content, friction properties, fuel economy, etc., and are able to meet the requirements of different emission standards and engine types.

Specifically, SN oil has a relatively low sulfur and phosphorus content, which can reduce corrosion and wear on the engine, and is suitable for some older models or vehicles with high fuel economy requirements. The SP engine oil has a relatively high sulfur and phosphorus content, which has better anti-wear performance and fuel economy, and is suitable for some new engines or models with higher fuel economy requirements.

In addition, SN and SP oils differ in terms of friction properties. SN engine oil has relatively good friction performance, which can reduce the friction loss of the engine and improve fuel economy, but it also has certain noise problems. The friction performance of SP oil is relatively poor, but it can effectively reduce the noise and vibration of the engine and improve the driving comfort. In addition, SP oil also has better fuel economy and environmental performance than SN oil. Due to the relatively high sulfur and phosphorus content of SP oil, it can better adapt to the requirements of new engines and improve fuel economy. At the same time, SP engine oil can also better reduce exhaust emissions and reduce environmental pollution.

To sum up, there are certain differences between SN and SP engine oils in terms of range of use, sulfur and phosphorus content, friction performance, fuel economy and environmental performance. When choosing an engine oil, car owners need to choose according to their own model, emission standards and engine type and other factors to ensure the normal operation of the engine and prolong the service life.

Finally, it should be pointed out that although SN and SP oils differ in performance, they are both high-quality engine oils that meet API standards, and car owners don't have to worry too much about their choice. As long as you choose the right grade according to the requirements of your own model, you can also pay attention to choosing regular brands and channels to buy, so as to avoid damage to the engine caused by inferior engine oil.

In short, with the development of the industry, the requirements for engine oil are getting higher and higher. Understanding the difference between SN and SP oils can help owners better choose the right oil for their car, extending engine life and improving fuel economy. In the future, with the continuous improvement of emission standards and the continuous advancement of engine technology, the requirements for engine oil will also become more stringent. Therefore, car owners should always pay attention to the car manufacturer's recommended oil grade for their car model, so as to better provide maintenance services for their car.

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