Castrol 0w30 limits on zinc and phos

[bbhero]

I am currently running Castrol 0w30 in my 2008 Altima 3.5 coupe. I believe that the API SL rating is due to the next generation SM limiting of zinc and phosphorus which continued further with the SN version. This is obviously due to the concern of longevity of catalytic converters. So, is this the only real differences between the SL and SN versions??? I know that the 40 grades don't have the same limitations on them as the 30s do.

I bought 15 quarts if the Castrol 0w30 at AAP because they were getting rid of it for $5.50. Not a great deal but an all right one. I am going to go to Pep Boys when they have their sales and get this oil from their. Thanks for all of you all's help with this in advance. There are a lot of you all on here who I have learned a lot from and I am very appreciative of that

 

[Quattro Pete]

Here is some info on SL vs SM:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...betw#Post661506

So, SM (and SN) has stricter limits on things like oxidation, wear, stability, etc. You could look at the most recent Afton Handbook to see all the details.

The thing to keep in mind is that an oil like Castrol EDGE 0w30 already surpasses even API SN when it comes to things like oxidative thickening, piston deposits, sludge, wear, soot thickening because it carries various Euro mfg approvals that far exceed API SN in these areas. A typical buyer of an oil such as Castrol EDGE 0w30 is not concerned with API.

 

[SR5]

Hi bbhero,

Yes for SN oils there are Zinc & Phos limits on the ILSAC grade oils like 0w30 but not on the heavier grades like 0W-40.

The Castrol EDGE 5w30 A3/B4 in Australia is API SL rated, being an ILSAC grade, but Castrol make a big point of saying it passes all of the API SN tests and it's only SL rated because of it's high Zinc & Phos levels. I'm sure the 0w30 is the same.

Conversations with Castrol techs suggest it's zinc level is about 1000 ppm. I think a typical ILSAC SN oil has about 800 ppm zinc.

I like how Castrol appear content to keep their Castrol EDGE 5w30 A3/B4 (ACEA A3/B4, BMW LL-01, VW 502 / 505, MB 229.3 / 229.5) as "only" SL rated. For me, MB 229.5 trumps API SN any day of the week.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

The bigger deal as far a safety margin goes is likely the higher HTHS of a A3,B4. The zdp is used up under severe boundary lube conditions so a 800 ppm vs a 1000ppm starting point is going to disappear after some hard thrumming.

 

[Nick1994]

$5.50 a quart? Ouch.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Its a real lubricant, not almost passable ILSAC swill.

 

[bbhero]

Hey SR5 I appreciate your response. Seems to be spot on about the zinc and phos. Good news my car hardly burns any oil at all in 5k miles plus aka less than 2 ozs. So I don't have to worry about fouling up the catalytic converter. I've not had to add oil to my car between oil changes since I purchased it over 3 and a half yrs ago. Not too shabby.

Yeah Quattro Pete I figured with the BMW LL-01 and MB 229.5 approvals this was more than likely tougher spec than API SN. I have the spider chart comparison tool with the different specs on it. The API SN is not on there so no way to see it on there. Interesting note... Afton corporate is located just 40 miles west of me. I didn't realize it was that close until just a couple of days ago.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: bbhero
I have the spider chart comparison tool with the different specs on it. The API SN is not on there so no way to see it on there.

Yeah, Lubrizol removed all the API specs from their comparison tool some time ago. Not sure why. I do have some old screenshots I took a while back.

 

[BobFout]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
$5.50 a quart? Ouch.



This is a very reasonable price outside of Walmart (not that Walmart ever sold this oil...?). European synthetics typically retail between $8 and $11 per quart.

 

[Garak]

Don't worry about it at all. I'm not concerned with an HDEO in the G37. It doesn't consume anything noticeable, so that's good enough for me.

 

[SR5]

If you have never had to add top-up oil in over three years then any reasonable zinc level will be fine. Nothing to worry about here.

I agree the increase in HTHS is good, an ILSAC 30 Wt oil would be about 3.0 to 3.1, but an A3/B4 30wt will have a HTHS of about 3.5 to 3.6. The A3/B4 also means it will have a TBN of 10 or more for extended drain. The MB 229.5 also means the NOACK will be 10 or less. That is a lot in one oil

TBN > 10
NOACK < 10
HTHS > 3.5
Zinc ~ 1000 ppm
And shear stable VII used due to the "stay in grade" shear stability test.

In Oz that oil would be about $10 USD per L at regular retail prices. I keep an eye open for sales and I can sometimes get it at half price.

QPete, I agree, Lubrizol use to display the API SN spec but now they no longer do. The modern API SN oils are good oil, but I was amazed at how weak the SN spec was compared to the Euro OEM specs. But that is why I accept paying more for a good name brand Euro spec oil.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Castrol EDGE 0w30 is very popular in Nissan engines like your VQ.

 

[69GTX]

Originally Posted By: bbhero
...I bought 15 quarts if the Castrol 0w30 at AAP because they were getting rid of it for $5.50. Not a great deal but an all right one....


That oil was marked down for clearance at my local AAPs in November to $4/qt. By early December they dropped it to $2/qt. They had quite a bit of it to start with. I would have bought some but decided the Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5w40 at the same price was a better fit for my car. I probably should have bought some any ways.

 

[SR5]

Originally Posted By: 69GTX
Originally Posted By: bbhero
...I bought 15 quarts if the Castrol 0w30 at AAP because they were getting rid of it for $5.50. Not a great deal but an all right one....


That oil was marked down for clearance at my local AAPs in November to $4/qt. By early December they dropped it to $2/qt. They had quite a bit of it to start with. I would have bought some but decided the Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5w40 at the same price was a better fit for my car. I probably should have bought some any ways.


I'm similar to you two. The two oils I have stocked up on recently are Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 and Castrol Edge 5w30 A3/B4 . Both are Euro oils that are specced A3/B4, BMW LL-01, MB 229.5, etc. I have 10 L of each, and so I'm set for awhile.

 

[bbhero]

Yeah it was worthy of getting for $27.50 for five qts. I really like how its running in the car. Very quiet. Similar to Pennzoil ultra and Castrol gold bottle in that regard.

 

[Garak]

We have enough trouble getting five quarts of conventional for $27.50 here, and that's in a jug, let alone 5 individual quarts of synthetic for that price.