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Engine Oil Specifications

Quality is at the heart of all our lubricants, which are always manufactured to the latest specifications and requirements.

ACEA European Oil Sequences for Service-Fill Oils

This page details the ACEA European Oil Sequences for Service – Fill Oils for Petrol Engines, Light Duty Diesel Engines, Petrol and Diesel Engines with after treatment devices and for Heavy Duty Diesel engines. These sequences define the minimum quality level of a product for presentation to ACEA members.

To download our Lubricant Specification guide please click here.

A/B: Petrol and Diesel Engine Oils

A3/B4 Stable, stay-in-grade engine oil intended for use at extended oil drain intervals in passenger car and light-duty petrol & DI diesel engines, but also suitable for applications described under A3/B3.

A5/B5 Stable, stay-in-grade engine oil intended for use at extended oil drain intervals in passenger car and light-duty petrol & DI diesel engines designed for low viscosity engine oils with HTHS viscosity of 2.9 to 3.5 mPa•s. These engine oils are unsuitable for use in certain engines - consult vehicle-OEM’s owner’s manual/handbook in case of doubt.

A7/B7 Stable, stay-in-grade engine oil intended for use at extended oil drain intervals in passenger car and light-duty petrol & DI diesel engines designed for low viscosity engine oils with HTHS viscosity of 2.9 to 3.5 mPa•s. Relative to A5/B5 these engine oils provide also low speed pre-ignition- and wear protection for turbocharged petrol DI engines as well as turbocharger compressor deposit (TCCD) protection for modern DI diesel engines. These engine oils are unsuitable for use in certain engines - consult vehicle-OEM’s owner’s manual/handbook in case of doubt.

C: Catalyst Compatibility Engine Oils

C2 Stable, stay-in-grade engine oil with mid-SAPS Level, for aftertreatment system compatibility. Intended for use at extended oil drain intervals in passenger car and light-duty petrol & DI diesel engines designed for low viscosity engine oils with a minimum HTHS Viscosity of 2.9 mPas.

C3 Stable, stay-in-grade engine oil with mid-SAPS Level, for aftertreatment system compatibility. Intended for use at extended oil drain intervals in passenger car and light-duty petrol & DI diesel engines designed for engine oils with HTHS viscosity of minimum 3.5 mPas.

C4 Stable, stay-in-grade engine oil with low-SAPS Level, for aftertreatment system compatibility. Intended for use at extended oil drain intervals in passenger car and light-duty petrol & DI diesel engines designed for engine oils with HTHS viscosity of minimum 3.5 mPa•s.

C5 Stable, stay-in-grade engine oil for improved fuel economy, with mid-SAPS Level, for aftertreatment system compatibility. Intended for use at extended oil drain intervals in passenger car and light-duty petrol & DI diesel engines designed and OEM-approved for engine oils with HTHS viscosity of minimum 2.6 mPa•s.

C6 Stable, stay-in-grade engine oil for improved fuel economy, with mid-SAPS Level, for aftertreatment system compatibility. Intended for use at extended oil drain intervals in passenger car and light-duty petrol & DI diesel engines designed and OEM-approved for engine oils with HTHS viscosity of minimum 2.6 mPa•s. Relative to C5 these engine oils provide also low speed pre-ignition- and wear protection for turbocharged petrol DI engines as well as turbocharger compressor deposit (TCCD) protection for modern DI diesel engines.

SAPS: Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus, Sulphur
HTHS: High Temperature High Shear Viscosity
DI: Direct Injection
DPF: Diesel Particle Filter
GPF: Gasoline (Petrol) Particle Filter
TWC: Three-Way Catalyst

E: Heavy Duty Engine Oils

E4 Stable, stay-in-grade oil providing excellent control of piston cleanliness, wear, soot handling and lubricant stability. It is recommended for highly-rated diesel engines meeting Euro I, Euro II, Euro III, Euro IV and Euro V emission requirements and running under very severe conditions, eg significantly extended oil drain intervals according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is suitable for engines without particulate filters, for some EGR engines and some engines fitted with SCR NOx reduction systems. However, recommendations may differ between engine manufacturers, so driver manuals and/or dealers must be consulted if in doubt.

E7 Stable, stay-in-grade oil providing effective control with respect to piston cleanliness and bore polishing. It further provides excellent wear control, soot handling and lubricant stability. It is recommended for highly-rated diesel engines meeting Euro I, Euro II, Euro III, Euro IV and Euro V emission requirements and running under severe conditions, eg extended oil drain intervals according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is suitable for engines without particulate filters, and for most EGR engines and most engines fitted with SCR NOx reduction systems. However, recommendations may differ between engine manufacturers, so driver manuals and/or dealers must be consulted if in doubt.

E8 Stable, stay-in-grade oil providing excellent control of piston cleanliness, wear, soot handling and lubricant stability. It is recommended for highly-rated diesel engines meeting Euro I, Euro II, Euro III, Euro IV, Euro V and Euro VI emission requirements and running under very severe conditions, eg significantly extended oil drain intervals according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is suitable for EGR engines, with or without particulate filters, and for engines fitted with SCR NOx reduction systems. E8 quality is strongly recommended for engines fitted with particulate filters and is designed for use in combination with low-sulphur diesel fuel. However, recommendations may differ between engine manufacturers, so driver manuals and/or dealers must be consulted if in doubt.

E11 Stable, stay-in-grade oil providing effective control with respect to piston cleanliness and bore polishing. It further provides excellent wear control, soot handling and lubricant stability. It is recommended for highly rated diesel engines meeting Euro I, Euro II, Euro III, Euro IV, Euro V and Euro VI emission requirements and running under severe conditions, eg extended oil drain intervals according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is suitable for engines with or without particulate filters, and for most EGR engines and for most engines fitted with SCR NOx reduction systems. E11 is strongly recommended for engines fitted with particulate filters and is designed for use in combination with low-sulphur diesel fuel. However, recommendations may differ between engine manufacturers so driver manuals and/or dealers should be consulted if in doubt.

API Lubrication Specifications

 

Petrol Engines

The current and previous API Service Categories are listed here. Vehicle owners should refer to their owner’s manuals before consulting these charts. Oils may have more than one performance level. For automotive petrol engines, the latest API Service Category includes the performance properties of each earlier category and can be used to service older engines where earlier category oils were recommended.

Note: The letters “SI”, “SK”, and “SO” have been omitted from the sequence of letter designations for API Service Categories because of their common association with other organizations or systems.

Category

Status

Service

SP Current Introduced in May 2020, designed to provide protection against low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI), timing chain wear protection, improved high temperature deposit protection for pistons and turbochargers, and more stringent sludge and varnish control. API SP with Resource Conserving matches ILSAC GF-6A by combining API SP performance with improved fuel economy, emission control system protection and protection of engines operating on ethanol-containing fuels up to E85.
SN Current For 2020 and older automotive engines
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 CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most petrol-powered automotive engines built after 1996. May not provide adequate protection against build-up of engine sludge, oxidation, or wear.
SG Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most gpetrol-powered automotive engines built after 1993. May not provide adequate protection against build-up of engine sludge, oxidation, or wear.
SF Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most petrol-powered automotive engines built after 1988. May not provide adequate protection against build-up of engine sludge.
SE Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most petrol-powered automotive engines built after 1979.
SD Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most petrol-powered automotive engines built after 1971. Use in more modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.
SC Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most petrol-powered automotive engines built after 1967. Use in more modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.
SB Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most petrol-powered automotive engines built after 1951. Use in more modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.
SA Obsolete CAUTION: Contains no additives. Not suitable for use in most petrol-powered automotive engines built after 1930. Use in modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.

Diesel Engines

(Follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations on oil performance levels)

Category

Status

Service

CK-4 Current API Service Category CK-4 describes oils for use in high-speed four-stroke cycle diesel engines designed to meet 2017 model year on-highway and Tier 4 non-road exhaust emission standards as well as for previous model year diesel engines. These oils are formulated for use in all applications with diesel fuels ranging in sulfur content up to 500 ppm (0.05% by weight). However, the use of these oils with greater than 15 ppm (0.0015% by weight) sulfur fuel may impact exhaust aftertreatment system durability and/or oil drain interval. These oils are especially effective at sustaining emission control system durability where particulate filters and other advanced aftertreatment systems are used. API CK-4 oils are designed to provide enhanced protection against oil oxidation, viscosity loss due to shear, and oil aeration as well as protection against catalyst poisoning, particulate filter blocking, engine wear, piston deposits, degradation of low- and high-temperature properties, and soot-related viscosity increase. API CK-4 oils exceed the performance criteria of API CJ-4, CI-4 with CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, and CH-4 and can effectively lubricate engines calling for those API Service Categories. When using CK-4 oil with higher than 15 ppm sulfur fuel, consult the engine manufacturer for service interval recommendations.
CJ-4 Current For high-speed four-stroke cycle diesel engines designed to meet 2010 model year on-highway and Tier 4 non-road exhaust emission standards as well as for previous model year diesel engines. These oils are formulated for use in all applications with diesel fuels ranging in sulfur content up to 500 ppm (0.05% by weight). However, the use of these oils with greater than 15 ppm (0.0015% by weight) sulfur fuel may impact exhaust aftertreatment system durability and/or drain interval. API CJ-4 oils exceed the performance criteria of API CI-4 with CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, CH-4, CG-4 and CF-4 and can effectively lubricate engines calling for those API Service Categories. When using CJ-4 oil with higher than 15 ppm sulfur fuel, consult the engine manufacturer for service interval.
CI-4 Current Introduced in 2002. For high-speed, four-stroke engines designed to meet 2004 exhaust emission standards implemented in 2002. CI-4 oils are formulated to sustain engine durability where exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is used and are intended for use with diesel fuels ranging in sulfur content up to 0.5% weight. Can be used in place of CD, CE, CF-4, CG-4, and CH-4 oils. Some CI-4 oils may also qualify for the CI-4 PLUS designation.
CH-4 Current Introduced in 1998. For high-speed, four-stroke engines designed to meet 1998 exhaust emission standards. CH-4 oils are specifically compounded for use with diesel fuels ranging in sulfur content up to 0.5% weight. Can be used in place of CD, CE, CF-4, and CG-4 oils.
CG-4 Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 2009.
CF-4 Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 2009.
CF-2 Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 2009. Two-stroke cycle engines may have different lubrication requirements than four-stroke engines, so the manufacturer should be contacted for current lubrication recommendations.
CF Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 2009. Later “C” category oils are usually suitable or preferred for diesel automotive engines for which “CF” oils were specified. Older equipment and/or two-stroke diesel engines, especially those calling for monograde products, may however require “CF” category oil.
CE Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 1994.
CD-II Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 1994.
CD Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 1994.
CC Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered engines built after 1990.
CB Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered engines built after 1961.
CA Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered engines built after 1959.
FA-4 Current API Service Category FA-4 describes certain XW-30 oils specifically formulated for use in select high-speed four-stroke cycle diesel engines designed to meet 2017 model year on-highway greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards. These oils are formulated for use in on-highway applications with diesel fuel sulfur content up to 15 ppm (0.0015% by weight). Refer to individual engine manufacturer recommendations regarding compatibility with API FA-4 oils. These oils are blended to a high temperature high shear (HTHS) viscosity range of 2.9cP–3.2cP to assist in reducing GHG emissions. These oils are especially effective at sustaining emission control system durability where particulate filters and other advanced aftertreatment systems are used. API FA-4 oils are designed to provide enhanced protection against oil oxidation, viscosity loss due to shear, and oil aeration as well as protection against catalyst poisoning, particulate filter blocking, engine wear, piston deposits, degradation of low- and high-temperature properties, and soot-related viscosity increase. API FA-4 oils are not interchangeable or backward compatible with API CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4 with CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, and CH-4 oils. Refer to engine manufacturer recommendations to determine if API FA-4 oils are suitable for use. API FA-4 oils are not recommended for use with fuels having greater than 15 ppm sulfur. For fuels with sulfur content greater than 15 ppm, refer to engine manufacturer recommendations.

API Transmission Lubrication Specifications

Specification

Description

Application

GL-5

Oil with high EP (Extreme Pressure) additives-equivalent to MIL-L-2105D specification.

Hypoid gear wheels under very heavy stress.

GL-4

Oils with medium EP additives-equivalent to MIL-L-2105A specification.

Manual transmissions, hypoid gearboxes under moderate stress.

GL-3

Oils with anti-wear additives.

Manual transmissions, conical gearboxes under minor stress.

GL-2

Oils containing greasy materials.

Industrial transmissions for worn screws.

GL-1

Pure mineral oils.

Tractor and commercial vehicle manual transmissions. None EP.

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