ACEA classification of engine oils for gasoline engines and light diesel engines
The Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA – Association des Constructeurs Europeens de L’Automobile) describes in detail the service test sequence for gasoline and diesel engines. This sequence defines the quality level of engine oils for gasoline engines and light diesel engines.
ACEA motor oil categories (a/b) for gasoline engines (a) and light diesel engines (b) – «High Saps»
| Category | Service |
| А3/В3 | All-season oils with improved stability remain in its viscosity grade. Intended for gasoline engines and light diesel engines of passenger cars and light trucks and/or with extended drain intervals if specified by the engine manufacturer. |
| А3/В4 | A3/B4.
All-season oils, which have improved stability in its viscosity class at extended drain intervals. Oils are designed for use in gasoline engines and light direct-injection diesel engines in passenger cars and light trucks. Fully suitable for engines described in category A3/B3. |
| А5/В5 | All-season oils with high viscosity stability in its class and designed for use with extended drain intervals for gasoline engines and diesel engines with direct injection in cars and light trucks, which are designed for use of low viscosity oils with High Temperature High Shear viscosity (HTHS) ranging from 2.9 mPa-s to 3.5 mPa-s.
These oils are not suitable for use in some engines, if in doubt refer to the vehicle instruction manual. |
| A7/B7 | All-season oils with improved stability in their viscosity grade and designed for use at extended drain intervals for gasoline engines and direct injection diesel engines in passenger cars and light trucks, which are designed for low viscosity oils with a High Temperature High Shear (HTHS) viscosity ranging from 2.9 mPa-s to 3.5 mPa-s.
Compared to the A5/B5 category, these engine oils also provide low pre-ignition and wear protection for turbocharged and direct-injection gasoline engines, as well as TCCD protection for modern direct-injection diesel engines. These oils are not suitable for use in some engines, if in doubt refer to the vehicle manual. |
ACEA engine oil categories for gasoline engines and diesels (c) with an exhaust gas treatment system
| Category | Service |
| С1 | All-season oils with improved stability remain in their viscosity class. Lowest SAPS engine oils with ultra-low sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulfur levels, compatible with all exhaust gas treatment systems and providing extended drain intervals, are used in high-performance passenger car and light truck engines: gasoline engines and direct injection diesel (DI), which are designed to operate with oils with low viscosity and minimum HTHS of 2.9 mPa-s. |
| С2 | All-season oils that have increased stability to stay in their viscosity class. Mid SAPS engine oils which have medium sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulfur levels, are compatible with modern exhaust gas treatment systems and provide extended drain intervals and are used in high performance passenger car and light truck engines: gasoline engines and direct injection diesel engines (DI) which are designed to operate with oils with low viscosity and minimum high-temperature viscosity at high shear rate (HTHS) – 2.9 mPa-s. |
| С3 | All-season oils with improved stability remain in their viscosity class. Mid SAPS engine oils with medium sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulfur levels, compatible with modern exhaust gas treatment systems and providing a long drain interval, are used in high-performance engines of passenger cars and light trucks: gasoline engines and diesel engines with direct fuel injection (DI), which are designed for operation with oils with a minimum high-temperature viscosity at high shear (HTHS) – 3.5 mPa-s. |
| С4 | All-season oils that have an increased stability to stay in their viscosity class. Low SAPS engine oils with low sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulfur content, compatible with any exhaust gas treatment systems and providing extended drain interval, are used in high-performance engines in passenger cars and light trucks: gasoline engines and diesel engines with direct fuel injection (DI), which are designed for use with oils that have low viscosity and minimum high-temperature viscosity at high shear rate (HTHS) – 3.5 mPa-s |
| С5 | All-season oils with higher viscosity stability in their viscosity grade. Mid SAPS engine oils have medium levels of sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulfur, provide improved fuel economy, are compatible with modern exhaust gas treatment systems and provide extended drain interval, used in high-performance engines of passenger cars and light trucks: gasoline engines and diesel engines with direct fuel injection (DI), which are designed for use with oils that have low viscosity and minimum high-temperature viscosity at high shear rate (HTHS) – 2.6 mPa-s |
| С6 | All-season oils with improved stability remain in their viscosity class. These are Mid SAPS oils, with moderate levels of sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulfur, provide improved fuel economy, compatible with modern exhaust gas treatment systems.
Designed for use in high-performance passenger car and light truck engines: gasoline engines and Direct Injection Diesel (DI) engines that are designed and approved by vehicle manufacturers (OEM) to operate with low viscosity oils and a minimum high-temperature high shear rate (HTHS) of 2.6 mPa-s. Compared to the C5 category, these engine oils also provide low pre-ignition and wear protection for turbocharged and direct-injection gasoline engines, as well as TCCD protection for modern direct-injection diesel engines. |
Notes
ACEA Category C oils extend the life of the DPF/GPF filters and catalytic converter (TWC) and assist in the vehicle’s fuel economy. Some oils in these categories may not be suitable for use in certain engine types, if in doubt refer to the vehicle manufacturer’s manual/instruction manual.
For complete and up-to-date information on the ACEA classification of motor oils go to: www.acea.auto.