API SERVICE?

[Pee Wee]

Hi guy's just found this site ,love it great info! I've got one fo you. What do the API service letters meen on an oil bottle? I run mobil-1 in my car and truck and would like to run it in my john dreere garden tractor. But the service letters are sl sj/cf on the bottle and the engine says to use sd,se,sf,sg,sh.What does this all meen? Can I use it or not? Thanks for your time and help!!!

PW

 

[Blue99]

Every 3-8 years the American Petroleum Institute updates the certification requirements for motor oils. SD is a service grade from the 70's & SE, SF,SG,SH,all supercede the previous grades.

SJ & SL are the current 2004 service grades & CF is a diesel oil service grade.

Mobil1 10W-30 meets the current Briggs small engine spec of SJ/CF for a synthetic oil.

 

[haley10]

You can. I run M1 in my car, but I prefer the Briggs & Stratton "LawnMower" oil for my garden equipment.

It's available at Wal-Mart, Tractor Supply, etc. I like the convenient smaller bottle packaging, so I don't have to measure or deal with left-overs.

It's a straight 30 weight formulated for small engines.