# 2012 Kia Sportage - Oil decoder ring request

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-kia-sportage-oil-decoder-ring-request/164428>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** kia\
**Created:** [May 17, 2020, 5:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-kia-sportage-oil-decoder-ring-request/164428 "2020-05-17T05:42:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Squreshi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@Squreshi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Squreshi)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2020, 5:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-kia-sportage-oil-decoder-ring-request/164428/1 "2020-05-17T05:42:30Z")

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What is the meaning of SM in API oil?

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**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2020, 12:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-kia-sportage-oil-decoder-ring-request/164428/2 "2020-05-17T12:47:10Z")

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Just assigned in alphabetical order. The newer the service category the higher the letter.  
American Petroleum Institute  
Gasoline Engine Oil Service Classifications  
Category Status Service  
SN Current Introduced in October 2010 for 2011 and older vehicles, designed to provide improved high temperature deposit protection for pistons, more stringent sludge control, and seal compatibility. API SN with Resource Conserving matches ILSAC GF-5 by combining API SN performance with improved fuel economy, turbocharger protection, emission control system compatibility, and protection of engines operating on ethanol-containing  
fuels up to E85.  
SM Current For 2010 and older automotive engines.  
SL Current For 2004 and older automotive engines.  
SJ Current For 2001 and older automotive engines.  
SH Obsolete  
SG Obsolete  
SF Obsolete  
SE Obsolete **CAUTION** - Not suitable for use in gasoline-powered automobile engines built after 1979.  
SD Obsolete **CAUTION** - Not suitable for use in gasoline-powered automobile engines built after 1971. Use in more modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.  
SC Obsolete **CAUTION** - Not suitable for use in gasoline-powered automobile engines built after 1967. Use in more modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.  
SB Obsolete **CAUTION** - Not suitable for use in gasoline-powered automobile engines built after 1951. Use in more modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.  
SA Obsolete **CAUTION** - Not suitable for use in gasoline-powered automobile engines built after 1930. Use in more modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.

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**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2020, 5:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-kia-sportage-oil-decoder-ring-request/164428/3 "2020-05-17T17:46:47Z")

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The “S” means the oil is meant for gasoline engines. “M” is a quality designation, introduced in late 2004. The next higher spec is “SN,” then “SN Plus.” [https://www.oilspecifications.org/api\_eolcs.php](https://www.oilspecifications.org/api_eolcs.php) Check your Owner’s Manual and see what Kia recommends.