njchen24 Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 Greetings: I went to a local autopart store and I am unable to find 5W30 API Service SL or SJ - GF3 dino oil as Subaru user's manual recommended. All dino oil bear the SM API service. Is there any correlation between SL and synthetic, since I've seen most of Synthetic oil bear the SL API service. However, based on my research from different Subaru forum, it is not wise to change to synthetic earlier than 9000 miles. The winter in NJ is kinda cold and I am wondering if it is safe to change to Synthetic at 3000 miles service or do I have to live with dino oil until 6000 miles at least. Any additional suggestion and comment is greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 SL is now an outdated oil rating. SM is the new one, and it meets the SL standards plus some additional ones. The oil rating system is divided into S for spark ignition and C for compression ignition, with the second letter indicating how "good" the oil is. The farther along in the alphabet, the better the oil is. BTW, the latest Mobil1 oil is rated SM. I don't think it really matters whether you switch to synthetic at 3k, 6k, or 9k. By 3k, the engine SHOULD be fully broken in, but if you want to make sure, it won't hurt anything to wait a bit longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoahDL88 Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 Have you asked the guys at the counter? they might be able to help you find SL or any later standard. Castrol GTX should fit the bill nicely, and if your uncomfortable about using an oil, you can always run it by your dealer before you use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blitz Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 S for spark ignition and C for compression ignitionS = ServiceC = Commercial http://api-ep.api.org/filelibrary/API_MotorOilGuide_2004.pdf _ _ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 Woops. Sorry about that. There's a bunch of different terms that get used for the S and C, and I had heard Spark and Compression the most often so I guess I assumed that's what it was. Anyway, use the SM oil in your car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blitz Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 Woops. Sorry about that. There's a bunch of different terms that get used for the S and C, and I had heard Spark and Compression the most often so I guess I assumed that's what it was. Anyway, use the SM oil in your car. The "spark" and "compression" terms are almost universally (mis)used, your hardly the first. (I'd use smileys here, but I just got a different 'puter and now the durn things don't show up in the box to the right anymore. If anybody knows how to get them back, I'd appreciate the info.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrian Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 Spark and Compression are good ways to remember which oil, Service or Commercial, is rated for use in your engine. Many oils carry both ratings. SM spec oils rolled out some time this year. SL oils on the shelf are a sign of slow-moving oils, such as synthetics. For brands and viscosities that move quickly, you might still be able to find the old SL grade oil at the back of the shelf, if they don't rotate their stock. But there's no need for SL oil. SM supercedes SL, as Snowman pointed out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njchen24 Posted November 14, 2005 Author Share Posted November 14, 2005 Thank you all for your additional info and advice. FYI, I did ask the store manager and he has no clues why he can't find the SL grade in dino oil. SL may be stand for Synthetic lube, I've been told. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Thank you all for your additional info and advice. FYI, I did ask the store manager and he has no clues why he can't find the SL grade in dino oil. SL may be stand for Synthetic lube, I've been told. ROFLMAO! What fine parts supply establishment is this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
friendly_jacek Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I have to say that the whole thread sound like a joke. This is why I did not reply initially. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njchen24 Posted November 17, 2005 Author Share Posted November 17, 2005 Do I dare to give out the store name? I give you a hint it starts with an R... and bear the last name of a very famous Vienna classical conductor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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