Euro being Euro the acea spec that it has is what matters most for the oil. This is an acea a3b4 so not that modern a spec either. Well formulated oil certainly but for older cars.Yet some of the best modern oil like Castrol euro 0w30 are SL spec.
I wasn’t slamming SL, Trav… I saw the OP is Down Under, and yes I know several Euro specs still meet SL because of additive levels. I use some myself.Yet some of the best modern oil like Castrol euro 0w30 are SL spec.
Impossible to determine; you haven’t shared make/model/usage or oil brands of the two choices…so which is better oil, SN spec, or SL synthetic?
All depends what you plan to put the SL oil in. It is not recommended for many late model engines. SL would work fine in an older engine.SL synthetic or SN semi-synthetic, which is best, normal service, engine can use either
No, no I didn't think you were. I have no idea why they are still developing higher end new oils with the SL rating that's all.I wasn’t slamming SL, Trav… I saw the OP is Down Under, and yes I know several Euro specs still meet SL because of additive levels. I use some myself.
With the info that the OP’s engine could use either spec, I recommended the SL because we know the add pack should more closely maintain what the engine originally saw.
Brevity is sometimes my enemy
Exactly. I use SL oils in my 07 Impreza with no worries, which is at 187k on original HG. I’ve used 0w30 thru 15w50 and it just doesn’t care.No, no I didn't think you were. I have no idea why they are still developing higher end new oils with the SL rating that's all.
It seems a little strange that on Suby EJ engine they spec SL up to and including 2006 and SM 2007 up to 2014, the engine internals are identical in clearances and materials with the exception of valve adjustment systems that all appear throughout all the years.
ACEA A3, B4 and API SN are very basic requirements. The lubricant will meet or exceed these requirements.SL synthetic or SN semi-synthetic, which is best, normal service, engine can use either
Does it matter if the vehicle(s) in question spec SL conventional ? SL synthetic, SN semi-synthetic, and so on may be "better" than what the engines want to use so no need to overthink this. Use up the older oil like others have said.SL synthetic verses SN semi-synthetic, SN is later spec, if it's SN, does it really matter if its synthetic. Both are 5w30 A3B4, same brand, so which is better oil, SN spec, or SL synthetic?
Al, that was a quarter century ago - how time flies.Synthetic is a nebulous term these days