Engine Oil: Description and Operation
ENGINE OIL
WARNING: New or used engine oil can be irritating to the skin. Avoid prolonged or repeated skin contact with engine oil. Contaminants in used engine oil, caused by internal combustion, can be hazardous to your health. Thoroughly wash exposed skin with soap and water. Do not wash skin with gasoline, diesel fuel, thinner, or solvents, health problems can result. Do not pollute, dispose of used engine oil properly. Contact your government agency for location of collection center in your area.
When service is required, Chrysler Corporation recommends that only Mopar(R) brand parts, lubricants and chemicals be used. Mopar (R) provides the best engineered products for servicing Chrysler Corporation vehicles.
Only lubricants bearing designations defined by the following organization should be used:
- Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
- American Petroleum Institute (API)
- National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI)
- Association des Constructors Europeans d' Automobiles (European Automobile Manufacturers Association) (ACEA)
API CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE SYMBOL
Use an engine oil that is API Certified and Licensed to display the certification mark. Mopar (R) provides engine oils that meet or exceed, Material Standard MS-6395 requirement.
SAE VISCOSITY
Refer to the engine oil filler cap for the preferred engine oil viscosity grade for each vehicle. SAE viscosity grades are used to specify the correct viscosity oil for an engine. Use only Multi-Viscosity oils. These are specified with a dual SAE viscosity grade which indicates the cold (5W) to hot (20) temperature performance range of the oil.
CONTAINER IDENTIFICATION
The Engine Oil Certification Mark was developed and trademarked by the API to refer customers to those engine oils preferred by the automobile manufacturers. This symbol means that the oil has been certified and licensed by the American Petroleum Institute (API). This certification mark will only be found on the front of the oil containers. Those oils that do not display the "Mark" on the front of the container should not be used.
Chrysler only recommends API Certified engine oils that meet the requirements of Material Standard MS-6395. Use Mopar or an equivalent oil meeting the specification MS-6395.
SYNTHETIC ENGINE OILS
There are a number of engine oils being promoted as either synthetic or semi-synthetic. If you choose to use such a product, use only those oils that are certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API) to display the "Certification Mark" and show SAE viscosity grade recommended for each vehicle. Follow the service schedule that describes your driving type.
ENGINE OIL ADDITIVES/SUPPLEMENTS
The manufacturer does not recommend the addition of any engine oil additives/supplements to the specified engine oil. Engine oil additives/supplements should not be used to enhance engine oil performance. Engine oil additives/supplements should not be used to extend engine oil change intervals. No additive is known to be safe for engine durability and can degrade emission components. Additives can contain undesirable materials that harm the long term durability of engines and emission systems by:
- Increasing the level of Phosphorus and Sulfur in the engine oil. The API Certified Engine Oils control the Phosphorus and Sulfur contents of the oil to levels that reduce the contamination effect on the vehicle's emission control system.
- Altering the viscosity characteristics of the engine oil so that it no longer meets the requirements of the specified viscosity grade.
- Creating potential for an undesirable additive compatibility interaction in the engine crankcase. The engine oils contain a performance additive system carefully developed to optimize the oil's performance in the engine. The addition of supplements may cause the oil to thicken prematurely, cause excessive deposit build-up and potentially shorten engine life.