API (American Petroleum Institute) SN PLUS is a new motor oil specification developed 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) engines that can be mitigated by changing the motor oil formulation.

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

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

To find out if your vehicle has a turbocharged engine and requires an API SN PLUS motor oil, check your vehicles owner’s manual. While not all engines need additional protection against LSPI, all products meeting API SN Plus should also meet or exceed all API SN standards.

Here is Which Oil Is Right For You document from API.

How do I know what motor oil to buy?

Here is How To Identify Quality Motor Oil from motoroilmatters.org

Additional Information

Here is the 2018 Lubricant Spec Update from Motor Magazine.