Walmart order… Valvoline Euro 5w-40 SN vs SP

[BurntMusic]

Walmart's website said Valvoline Euro 5w40 was API SP - received API SN. Does it matter?

As the title says, I ordered Valvoline Euro 5w40 with the Walmart website saying API SP. I received the 5qt container today aaaand it's API SN, not even SN Plus.

Is this even worth worrying about? It still has the VW 502.00/505.00 that my vehicle requires. When I compare the back of the SN container vs the SP data sheet online, the SN is missing the Renault license (who cares) but doesn't have the BMW LL-14FE+under the "additional recommended applications". I don't think it matters as long as the manufacturer approval is there, right?

 

[walterjay]

It meets the approval of your vehicle. However if you bought it looking for SP you certainly did not get that.

 

[kschachn]

Does it matter to you? That’s what matters. It wouldn’t matter to me unless I was overly concerned with LSPI and thought I simply must have API SP.

 

[ka9mnx]

I would rather have the SN.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

As the title says, I ordered Valvoline Euro 5w40 with the Walmart website saying API SP. I received the 5qt container today aaaand it's API SN, not even SN Plus.

View attachment 290923

Is this even worth worrying about? It still has the VW 502.00/505.00 that my vehicle requires. When I compare the back of the SN container vs the SP data sheet online, the SN is missing the Renault license (who cares) but doesn't have the BMW LL-14FE+under the "additional recommended applications". I don't think it matters as long as the manufacturer approval is there, right?

Only Mercedes approvals contain a LSPI test.
Use it with confidence.

 

[BurntMusic]

I would rather have the SN.

Why's that?

Does it matter to you? That’s what matters. It wouldn’t matter to me unless I was overly concerned with LSPI and thought I simply must have API SP.

Yeah I'm not concerned with it. I just wasn't sure if the formula's were vastly different to the point I was leaving extra protection on the table.

 

[Hall]

It still has the VW 502.00/505.00 that my vehicle requires.

This is all that matters. You don't have a Renault or BMW so the others are irrelevant. Does your car even care about API SN, SN+, SP, etc ? I doubt it... It's almost always just (1) spec (VW 502...) at a time.

 

[fantastic]

It's up to you whether to return it or not but if I bought something & didn't get what I bought it would be exchanged for the correct one. SP is the latest version & that is what was advertised. You got WM old stock...get the updated one. It isn't detrimental to run this though.

 

[kschachn]

This is all that matters. You don't have a Renault or BMW so the others are irrelevant. Does your car even care about API SN, SN+, SP, etc ? I doubt it... It's almost always just (1) spec (VW 502...) at a time.

The correct answer.

 

[Snagglefoot]

When I purchased my 2008 3/4 ton Suburban, the current oil was SL. Then I kept up with SM, SN and now SP. The engine has 275,000 miles and doesn't use oil. Use the SN and sleep well.

 

[svenson]

i think SN is better..SP has less calcium?? i think,i dont remember which one chemical is the one.there was a talk here but i dont remember anything else.

 

[BurntMusic]

It's up to you whether to return it or not but if I bought something & didn't get what I bought it would be exchanged for the correct one. SP is the latest version & that is what was advertised. You got WM old stock...get the updated one. It isn't detrimental to run this though.

It's not detrimental, but you're also right that I didn't get what was advertised (shocking for Walmart I know ), but they don't sell this in any Walmart with 100mi of me in 5qts so I'd be at the mercy of placing another order which will result in the same thing, I guarantee it.

Not to sidetrack the thread here too much, but it seems Walmart only sells Mobil 1 and Castrol in 5qt containers at my Walmarts these days. They no longer stock the QS Euro or Valvoline Euro anymore in 5qt containers.

 

[OilUzer]

Was it M1 0W-40 that was or had more PAO and/or ester in SN and then went to full or mostly group 3 in SP? And some claim that SN was a "better" oil even though both had the same approvals.

I recall reading something like that in here but not 100% sure since I only pay attention to approvals if i have to.

If SN meets the requirements, I would use it as I recently bought a few Castrol Euro API SL ... but when you buy SP and get SN maybe they should send you a free jug or you can return it to any Wal-Mart store or not worth the time and headache and just use it.

Btw, is there a time limit for example when SP is out they have to ramp down SN+ or SN production? Or not have any on shelves after a certain time? That's a legal question.

 

[svenson]

the time limit is set by each blender.some of them have that limit written in bottle.i know motul did,dont know if they do it anymore.
i think its set for 2 years by motul.but you can use it beyond that limit .

 

[fantastic]

It's not detrimental, but you're also right that I didn't get what was advertised (shocking for Walmart I know ), but they don't sell this in any Walmart with 100mi of me in 5qts so I'd be at the mercy of placing another order which will result in the same thing, I guarantee it.

Not to sidetrack the thread here too much, but it seems Walmart only sells Mobil 1 and Castrol in 5qt containers at my Walmarts these days. They no longer stock the QS Euro or Valvoline Euro anymore in 5qt containers.

It sounds like you've done a good assessment of the situation & doesn't sound like many options outside of returning it to potentially still get the SN version. SP been out for a while so wouldn't think that it would be soon for the SP to start shipping.

Was it M1 0W-40 that was or had more PAO and/or ester in SN and then went to full or mostly group 3 in SP? And some claim that SN was a "better" oil even though both had the same approvals.

I think that is correct. It did show a nice higher oxidation reading on the SN version.

Btw, is there a time limit for example when SP is out they have to ramp down SN+ or SN production? Or not have any on shelves after a certain time? That's a legal question.

Yes, API does expire old service categories but the latest specs usually go back to at least before expired version.

However, They seem to differentiate when to obsolete between API gasoline & diesel categories?

"For automotive gasoline engines, the latest engine oil service category includes the performance properties of each earlier category. If an automotive owner's manual calls for an API SN oil, an API SP oil will provide full protection. For diesel engines, the latest category usually - but not always - includes the performance properties of an earlier category."

https://www.api.org/products-and-se...d-classifications/oil-categories#tab-gasoline

 

[kschachn]

And still the OP has no need for an API licensed oil.

 

[BurntMusic]

It sounds like you've done a good assessment of the situation & doesn't sound like many options outside of returning it to potentially still get the SN version. SP been out for a while so wouldn't think that it would be soon for the SP to start shipping.

I think that is correct. It did show a nice higher oxidation reading on the SN version.

Yes, API does expire old service categories but the latest specs usually go back to at least before expired version.

However, They seem to differentiate when to obsolete between API gasoline & diesel categories?

"For automotive gasoline engines, the latest engine oil service category includes the performance properties of each earlier category. If an automotive owner's manual calls for an API SN oil, an API SP oil will provide full protection. For diesel engines, the latest category usually - but not always - includes the performance properties of an earlier category."

https://www.api.org/products-and-se...d-classifications/oil-categories#tab-gasoline

Ok so I am just going to return it and pick up a 5qt elsewhere. The cost of the oil plus shipping was the same cost as just buying it at a Napa or O'reilly's. At least there I can look at it before I buy it.

 

[kschachn]

Ok so I am just going to return it and pick up a 5qt elsewhere. The cost of the oil plus shipping was the same cost as just buying it at a Napa or O'reilly's. At least there I can look at it before I buy it.

So you’re returning one oil with VW 502 00 approval for another one with VW 502 00 approval.

 

[edyvw]

Why's that?

Yeah I'm not concerned with it. I just wasn't sure if the formula's were vastly different to the point I was leaving extra protection on the table.

LL14 is only 0W20 oil, therefore this Valvoline cannot have that approval. Nor it will be recommended for it. From my understanding your vehicle requires VW502.00? As long as oil has that approval , API is absolutely irrelevant.

 

[kschachn]

I thought he said he needed W 502 00/505 00? And then he mentions a BMW approval… and then worried about an API license….

I’m confused.