ACEA Specifications what do they mean?

ACEA Specifications
ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association) have a system of rating oils, which you will find on the container of almost every oil on the market. These are the current specifications,reviously oils were given separate petrol and diesel ratings, but from November 2004 onwards,
those have been combined (A still refers to Petrol and B to Diesel engines).andard Petrol and Diesel Engines

A1/B1
Category for Fuel Economy engine oils with especially low High Temperature High Shear viscosity.
HTHS of 2.6 to 3.5 mPas applies to XW-20, 2.9 to 3.5 mPas for all others. Corresponds to the old A1 and B1 specifications with some new engine tests.

A2/B2
Basic requirements. Will be replaced by the GLOBAL DLD-1 specification.

A3/B3
Category for high-performance and Fuel Economy engine oils. Exceeds ACEA A1/B1 with regard to Noack (evaporation losses), piston cleanliness and oxidation stability.
Extended oil change intervals possible.

A3/B4
Same as A3/B3 but also for direct injection diesel engines.

A5/B5
Category for high-performance engine oils. For TDI engines with Fuel Economy Performance. In addition with lowered HTHS (2.9 to 3.5).
Extended oil change intervals possible.Low SAPS Diesel Engines. An additional category appears in these specifications in which sulphate ash, phosphorous and sulphur content (SAPS) are limited.

C1
Largely based on the ACEA A5/B5. Strict limitation of SAPS content. Low HTHS viscosity of >2.9 mPas.

C2
Same as C1 but with somewhat higher SAPS content permissible (as with C3).

C3
Same as C2 except for HTHS > 3.5 and without Fuel Economy performance.

C4
Same SAPS content as C3, HTHS viscosity as C1.

As always, our expert advice is free. If you need help you can call us Monday - Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm on 01209 202944, email us at sales@opieoils.co.uk, or just ask here.

The team at Opie Oils