The API (American Petroleum Institute) license certifies that a motor oil meets specific performance and quality standards for passenger car engines. When you see the API donut symbol on a bottle, it indicates:

• Service category — The letter code defines the performance level. Current gasoline engine standard is SQ (latest update); previous common standards include SP, SN, SM, and SL.
• Viscosity grade — Confirms the oil meets SAE viscosity requirements (e.g., 5W-30, 0W-20).
• Resource Conserving — Indicates the oil contributes to fuel economy improvement.

All Ultra1Plus passenger car motor oils carry current API certification, ensuring compatibility with modern engine requirements and OEM warranty compliance.

Yes. API SQ is the latest gasoline engine oil performance category and is backward compatible with previous API service categories, including API SP. An API SQ motor oil can be used in vehicles that specify API SP, provided the oil also meets the vehicle manufacturer's recommended viscosity grade and any required OEM specifications.

API SQ oils are designed to provide:

• Enhanced engine protection
• Improved fuel economy performance
• Better deposit control
• Increased protection against low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) and timing chain wear compared to earlier categories

Always consult your vehicle owner's manual to confirm the recommended viscosity and performance requirements for your specific application.

Ultra1Plus™ recommends a three-year maximum shelf life for engine oils.

Routine oil changes play a vital role in maintaining your vehicle's performance, efficiency, and long-term reliability. Replacing old oil with fresh lubricant helps protect critical engine components and keeps your engine operating at its best.

• Enhanced engine protection — Clean motor oil forms a protective barrier between moving parts, minimizing metal-to-metal contact and reducing wear.
• Improved fuel efficiency — Fresh oil flows more effectively through the engine, helping reduce internal resistance and friction so the engine operates more efficiently.
• Reduced deposit and sludge formation — Over time, oil collects dirt, combustion byproducts, and contaminants. Regular changes remove these impurities before they form harmful deposits that restrict engine performance.
• Better temperature control — Motor oil helps transfer heat away from critical engine components. Fresh oil maintains its ability to manage heat effectively, helping prevent excessive temperatures.
• Extended engine service life — Following the recommended oil change interval keeps internal components clean, lubricated, and protected, reducing the risk of premature wear.

Regular maintenance is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your investment and keep your vehicle running smoothly for years to come.

SAE stands for the Society of Automotive Engineers, the organization responsible for establishing viscosity classification standards for engine oils. The SAE grade printed on every oil bottle — such as 5W-30, 0W-20, or 10W-40 — defines how the oil flows at different temperatures.

• The "W" number (e.g., 5W, 0W) — Represents cold-weather performance. The lower the number, the better the oil flows at low temperatures, making cold starts easier and reducing wear during engine warmup.
• The second number (e.g., 30, 40) — Represents viscosity at normal operating temperature. A higher number means a thicker oil film at high temperatures, providing greater protection under heavy loads.

Selecting the correct SAE grade for your vehicle and climate is essential for maintaining proper lubrication, fuel efficiency, and engine protection. Always follow the viscosity grade specified in your vehicle owner's manual.

ILSAC GF-6A, GF-6B, and GF-7A are gasoline engine oil performance standards designed to improve engine protection, fuel economy, and emissions system compatibility.

• ILSAC GF-6A — Applies to traditional viscosity grades such as SAE 0W-20, 5W-20, and 5W-30. Provides enhanced protection against engine wear, deposits, and low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI).
• ILSAC GF-6B — Specifically designed for SAE 0W-16 oils and supports modern engines that require ultra-low-viscosity lubricants for improved fuel efficiency.
• ILSAC GF-7A — The latest generation standard for traditional viscosity grades. Builds upon GF-6A with improved engine protection, better fuel economy performance, enhanced deposit control, and increased protection against timing chain wear.

Always use the viscosity grade and performance specification recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.

Diesel and gasoline engine oils share the same base function — lubrication and protection — but are formulated differently to handle the demands of each engine type.

• Diesel engine oils — Engineered to manage higher soot levels, greater compression ratios, and heavier sustained loads. They typically carry higher concentrations of detergents and dispersants to handle the byproducts of diesel combustion, and are rated under API CK-4 or FA-4 categories.
• Gasoline engine oils — Designed for cleaner combustion environments and lighter-duty operating conditions, with formulations optimized for fuel efficiency and low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) protection. Rated under API SP or SQ categories.

Using the wrong oil type can compromise engine protection and void manufacturer warranties. Always refer to your vehicle owner's manual or equipment specifications.

Some CK-4 oils can be used in gasoline engines, but only if the product label also carries a gasoline service rating such as API SN, SP, or SQ. These are known as dual-rated or mixed-fleet oils — lubricants formulated to meet the performance requirements of both diesel and gasoline engines simultaneously.

Dual-rated oils are particularly useful for fleet operators managing vehicles with different engine types, as they simplify inventory and reduce the risk of mislabeling errors.

However, CK-4 oils without a gasoline rating are formulated exclusively for diesel applications and should not be used in gasoline engines. Using an unrated oil can result in insufficient protection, increased deposits, and potential warranty issues.

Key rule: Always verify that the oil label lists both the diesel (CK-4) and gasoline (SN/SP/SQ) API certifications before using it in a mixed-fleet or gasoline application.

Hydraulic oil is used to transmit power in hydraulic systems such as construction equipment, manufacturing machinery, forklifts, agricultural equipment, and industrial presses.

It also provides lubrication, cooling, and protection against wear and corrosion throughout the hydraulic system.

AW stands for Anti-Wear. AW hydraulic oils contain additives that help reduce wear on pumps, valves, and other hydraulic components, extending equipment life under high pressure and continuous operation.

EP stands for Extreme Pressure. EP hydraulic oil contains special additives that protect equipment under high pressure and heavy loads by reducing metal-to-metal contact, wear, and damage in demanding hydraulic systems.

ISO VG stands for International Standards Organization Viscosity Grade. It defines the oil's viscosity at 40°C and ensures consistency across manufacturers.

The primary difference between ISO VG 32, ISO VG 46, and ISO VG 68 hydraulic oils is their viscosity, or resistance to flow.

• ISO VG 32 — A low-viscosity hydraulic oil that performs well in colder temperatures and in systems requiring faster fluid circulation.
• ISO VG 46 — A medium-viscosity, general-purpose hydraulic oil commonly used in a wide range of industrial and mobile hydraulic equipment.
• ISO VG 68 — A higher-viscosity hydraulic oil designed for higher operating temperatures, heavier loads, and applications requiring increased film strength.

Always consult your equipment manufacturer's recommendations to ensure you select the appropriate viscosity grade for your operating conditions.

Yes, we do. We guarantee that our products are free from defects and are fully compatible with the OEM specifications and applications listed on the product label and data sheet.

Please see our detailed product warranty here.