OPE oils are usually SJ rated?

[The motor guy]

I always hear on here that it's fine to use SM rated oils in a small engine, yet almost all the major manufacturer branded oils are usually SJ rated or have a diesel engine oil rating. Like Hondas GN-4 is SJ oil and kawasakis K-tech oil is also a CJ-4 rated diesel oil. How come they don't just require regular sm rated oils?

 

[aquariuscsm]

My car is spec'd for SJ oil

 

[SonofJoe]

Small engines are something of an afterthought when it comes to oil development. The same can be said for motorcycle oils.

Generally what happens when you go through the speccing process for one of these smaller engines is you'll look at what you've already got on the shelf and pick what you think might be appropriate. Often it may just come down to the personal preference of the guy who's job it is write the recommendation.

 

[Ohle_Manezzini]

SJ oils are great lubricants, but not as much emissions/environment/F.E., designed as SN rated oils.

 

[Red91]

I prefer an SL or older spec oil. Got a whole bunch of SJ Kendall GT-1 to use in my Roadmaster. It hasn't seen an SN oil since I got it.

 

[NH73]

I actually seem it all across the board myself. I seen the Honda oil is SN rated. The Honda GN-4 oil is a motorcycle oil, not marketed towards OPE.

 

[Plum]

What about the PowerCare oil sold by Home Depot - it has no ratings on the bottle ?

 

[cmhj]

Originally Posted By: Plum
What about the PowerCare oil sold by Home Depot - it has no ratings on the bottle ?


I asked what the rating was. According to a Power Care rep their OPE oil at Home Depot is rated SJ.