SM vs. SP oil; are they really different?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by NewHybridOwner, Aug 25, 2022.

  1. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2018
    607
    282
    0
    Location:
    W. Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I just discovered that my two quart bottles of Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0W-20 t-- one in the trunk and one on the shelf -- are labeled as "SM," whereas the 5-qt jug I just got from Walmart is labeled "SP." Is the "SM" oil actually inferior, or was that the top rating at the time it was manufactured and would now be labeled "SP"? I.e., it already met the not-yet-published "SP" standard?
     
    #1 NewHybridOwner, Aug 25, 2022
    PriusCamper likes this.
  2. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    2,653
    1,145
    0
    Location:
    Northwestern S.C.
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    It might, but only Mobil would know whether your SM oil could've met the later, tighter SP requirements. It must be over 12 years old.
     
    #2 CR94, Aug 26, 2022
  3. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2018
    607
    282
    0
    Location:
    W. Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    No: the Prius that we bought in 2018 is the only car I've ever owned that used Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy, so the "SM" oil would not have been bought before then.
     
    #3 NewHybridOwner, Aug 26, 2022
  4. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    2,653
    1,145
    0
    Location:
    Northwestern S.C.
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The SM category was introduced in 2004. SN replaced it as the latest and greatest API Service Category in 2010.
     
    #4 CR94, Aug 26, 2022
    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller likes this.
  5. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2018
    607
    282
    0
    Location:
    W. Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I have no idea where I bought it, but it must have been old stock.
     
    #5 NewHybridOwner, Aug 27, 2022
    CR94 likes this.
  6. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2018
    607
    282
    0
    Location:
    W. Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I just looked at those quart packages again -- and I don't know where I got those "SM" labels from, because I now see that one is labeled "SN" and the other "SN Plus."
     
    #6 NewHybridOwner, Aug 27, 2022
  7. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    2,653
    1,145
    0
    Location:
    Northwestern S.C.
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Good, that makes more sense. They're probably fine to use.
     
    #7 CR94, Aug 27, 2022
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)