Originally Posted By: JohnBrowning
In fact the best products that M1 makes do not meet SM and I am not sure but I think the M1 0W40 is not an API approved oil but I could wrong on that one.
Even though Mobil 1 0w40 has 1,000 ppm of phosphorous, it is still approved as an API SM oil.
It's *not* API (the American Petroleum Institute) that limits the phosphorous level from ZDDP to 800 ppm (parts per million) in oil.
You may find this hard to believe, but there are oils that
have 1000 ppm and even 1200 ppm of phosphorous from ZDDP
that *are* certified by the API at the SM level: API SM certified.
For examples, Mobil 1 0w-40 has 1000 ppm of phosphorous and
it enjoys API SM certification. So does Mobil 1 5w-50.
Mobil 1 15w-50 even has 1200 ppm , and still it is API SM certified.
It's not API that restricts phosphorous. It's ILSAC in
their GF-4 specification.
If someone needs proof that the API does not restrict
phosphorous to 800 ppm, look at this .pdf document from
Mobil 1's web site that shows the ppm level of phosphorous
from ZDDP in their oils and also shows the certifications
each oil enjoys.
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Files/Mobil_1_Product_Guide.pdf
I'll also quote the Mobil 1 site:
"The active ingredient that you are talking about is
phosphorus which is added thru a component called ZDDP.
For products that meet the new ILSAC GF-4 specification
the phosphorus levels for the oil must be less than
800 ppm phosphorus. The ILSAC level for phosphorus has
been reduced to protect the catalytic converter and other
emission protection equipment. The engine manufacturers
are confident that this level of phosphorus will protect
both new and older engines. However, there are Mobil 1
products which have a higher level of phosphorus (phos)
and can be used in engines in racing or high performance
applications; see the attached .PDF table at
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Files/Mobil_1_Product_Guide.pdf
And here's the link to the above Mobil 1 quotation:
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Car_Care/AskMobil/Zinc_Motor_Oils.aspx
By the way, Glennc and JohnBrowning, you both make lots of good points