Engine Oil... API Spec. & type... ??

Dave___in___CT · Nov 13, 2003

Hi....

Tractor's manual specifies 10w-30 or 10w-40 engine oil with API specification of CD or CE or CF... dosen't mention type of oil... i.e. full synthetic or dino oil...

Is oil that's typically used for non-diesel OK if it has an API spec. of CF ?
Full synthetic OK ?

New Kubota L3130 ~30hp diesel...

Thanks...

Dave...

MikePA · Nov 13, 2003

<font color="blue"> Is oil that's typically used for non-diesel OK if it has an API spec. of CF ?
Full synthetic OK ? </font>
Any oil that meets the spec is OK.

Junkman · Nov 13, 2003

If it specifies "C" than that means that it is for a "compression" engine. The letter after the "C" indicates the performance of the oil. The higher up in the alphabet that the letter is, the better the quality of the oil.

If the oil specification starts with a "S", that indicated that the oil is for a "spark" engine.... i.e. Gasoline. The same rule applies to the second letter.

Some oils are marked for both "C" and "S" engines. As for synthetic vs. dino, pick your poison based on personal choice. There are about as many differing opinions here as there are people here. If you do a search for the word "synthetic" in this forum, you will be reading posts into the next year and most will say the same thing on either side of the coin, just the reason for it will change. Pick the brand that you like for what ever reason as long as it meets the specification and your tractor will be happy...

neilw · Nov 23, 2003

Hi Dave

Just my .02.

I don't use synthetics because my situation does not favor synthetic oils in a tractor. However, I believe that synthetic oil excel in two areas.

Extended drain intervals and cold weather operations. If you operate in either of these situations synthetic is the way to go.

k8ny · Nov 23, 2003

Junkman,
What you're saying is absolutely correct however just one small nit. The "C" stands for Commercial and the "S" Stands for Service but they do apply to diesel and gasoline as you mentioned.

Bob

fractal · Dec 5, 2003

In theory it is as easy as matching letters and numbers. Find an oil with the right viscosity (10w-30 or 10w40) and the letters CD, CE or CF on the bottle.

If I may offer one gem of knowledge learned from the school of hard knocks. Consider a motor oil with both C and S ratings. I did an inventory of motor oils in my garage after I bought a diesel truck and found I had 2 1/2 cases of various grades and types of oil. One type for cars, one type for tractor, one type for lawn tools, one type for chainsaws, various leftover bits and pieces from when I changed brands since you are not supposed to mix. One more oil change on the car and I will be down to leftovers on that type. I am down to leftovers on the others. All I buy now is a universal oil rated for both diesel and gas motors, and my inventory of motor oil is rapidly dropping from one and a half shelves to a half shelf in the garage. I all sortof crept up on me, but in retrospect, I shouda done this when I bought my first diesel motor on the kubota.

Dave___in___CT · Dec 5, 2003

Tanks for the info. & tips !

Dave...

neilw · Jan 9, 2005

I always thought the API "C" stood for Compression Ignition and "S" stood for Spark Ignition. Learn something new everyday I guess.

kozak · Jan 9, 2005

Here we go again. My Amsoil Distributor indicated that "C" stood for compression & "S" stood for spark. Would seem to make more sense to me. I'm going to have to do some browsing. Get back to you.

MikePA · Jan 9, 2005

<font color="blue"> My Amsoil Distributor indicated that "C" stood for compression & "S" stood for spark.</font>
Your Amsoil distributor is wrong. Here's a link to the proof.