AD: What You Need To Know About Low Speed Pre-Ignition

Today’s engines are smaller, more efficient, more advanced and more powerful. Those engines, especially Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection (TGDI) engines, also create extreme operating conditions, which make them more susceptible to something called Low Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI).

Low Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI) is an abnormal combustion phenomenon observed at low engine speeds in which the fuel/air mixture in the combustion chambers ignites before spark timing. LSPI can cause engine knock, broken spark plugs and cracked pistons, and, in severe cases, catastrophic engine failure.

Research has shown that during LSPI a drop of oil in the cylinder may be combining with fuel droplets to create hot spots in the combustion chamber and prompting ignition before spark timing is intended to occur. Research has also shown that motor oils can be re-formulated to significantly reduce their contribution to LSPI, which is the goal of the new API SN PLUS supplemental motor oil specification.

What you need to know about API SN PLUS?

Learn about API SN PLUS, the new motor oil specification for Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection (TGDI)/ Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. See how GRANTT is supporting API SN PLUS and protecting the performance of your engine.

Maintaining your vehicle’s performance means protecting engines from Low Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI). Automakers are the driving force behind API SN PLUS, a new supplemental motor oil specification under API SN that protects Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection (TGD)/Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines.

What is “API SN PLUS”?

API SN PLUS is a new motor oil specification specially designed for turbocharged engines that is being developed in response to automakers request for motor oils that protect against Low Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI). LSPI is an engine condition known to occur in Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection (TGDI)/ Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines that can be mitigated by changing the motor oil additive chemistry.

Does GRANTT offer any motor oil that meets API SN PLUS?

Yes! GRANTT Stellar 8000 SAE 0W-20 API SN PLUS now comes with new KNOCK GUARD™ Technology that is certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API) in the API SN PLUS category.

How do I know if my car needs an API SN PLUS motor oil?

To find out if your vehicle is a Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection (TGDI)/ Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine and requires an API SN PLUS motor oil, we recommend checking your vehicles owner’s manual.

Will I see API SN PLUS on the bottle?

The API SN PLUS donut symbol and mark will start appearing on GRANTT motor oil labels throughout 2018.

The main advantage of this technology is that the engine is subject to less wear on the whole, with up to 84% better protection against wear and tear and horsepower loss over time. Specific antioxidant additives help to ensure that oil gets to the right places during oil changes as thickening is controlled, which gives the most protection during a cold start. At higher temperatures, the oil doesn’t thin out as easily either in order to maintain the critical protecting film on moving components and to keep an engine running properly.