The ACEA standard (Association of European Automobile Manufacturers) represents the certification of motor oil for application and operation, and takes into account the requirements of 15 car manufacturers (BMW, DAF, Daimler-Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, GM-Europe, Jaguar Land Rover, MAN, Porshe, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Renault, SAAB-Scania, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo).
In December 2008, ACEA introduced an updated and most recent classification of motor oils, “ACEA 2008 European Oil Sequences for Service-Fill Oils”, which included new classes C4 and E9, and also made adjustments to the requirements for oils’ antioxidant stability and the elemental composition of oils in connection with energy conservation and environmental policy.
The new classification divides oils into three classes based on engine type: A (gasoline), B (light diesel) and E (heavy-duty diesel).
Each class is divided into categories with different levels of performance properties:
- Four for petrol and light diesel engines (A1/B1, A3/B3, A3/B4, A5/B5);
- Four specifically for gasoline and light diesel engines equipped with catalytic aftertreatment systems (C1, C2, C3, C4);
- Four for heavy-duty diesel engines (E4, E6, E7, E9).
A more detailed presentation of the ACEA classification
A/B — motor oils for gasoline and diesel engines of passenger cars, vans, minibuses
A1/B1 — Resistant to temperature changes and difficult conditions of oil application. At high temperatures and a large shear gradient, they save fuel consumption and do not lose stable lubricating properties. They help to increase replacement intervals for gasoline and diesel passenger cars, as well as for light trucks. Developed for the use of oils with the lowest fluidity.
A3/B3 — All-season oils with high performance properties. Designed for gasoline and diesel engines of passenger cars and light trucks with average replacement intervals.
A3/B4 — for use in high-performance gasoline engines and diesel engines with direct fuel injection. Can be used instead of A3/B3 class oils. High performance helps reduce fuel consumption.
A5/B5 — Oils resistant to mechanical degradation, intended for use with extended oil change intervals in highly accelerated gasoline and diesel engines of light vehicles, in which the use of low-viscosity oils that reduce friction, with a dynamic viscosity at high temperature and high shear rate (HTHS) from 2.9 to 3.5 mPa•s, is possible.
C — motor oils for gasoline and diesel engines with exhaust gas reduction catalysts
C1 — Oils resistant to mechanical degradation, compatible with exhaust gas neutralization units, intended for use in highly accelerated gasoline engines and diesel engines of light vehicles equipped with particulate filters and three-way catalysts. They are suitable for engines in which the use of friction-reducing oils with high viscosity at high temperature and high shear rate (2.9 mPa s) is possible.• These oils have the lowest sulfate ash and the lowest phosphorus and sulfur content and may not be suitable for lubrication of some engines.
C2 — Oils resistant to mechanical degradation, compatible with exhaust gas neutralization units, intended for use in high-performance gasoline and diesel engines of light vehicles equipped with particulate filters and three-way catalytic converters. They are suitable for engines where the use of friction-reducing oils with high viscosity at high temperature and high shear rate (2.9 mPa s) is possible. • These oils increase the service life of particulate filters and catalytic converters and provide fuel economy.
C3 — Oils resistant to mechanical destruction, compatible with exhaust gas neutralization units, intended for use in high-performance gasoline engines and diesel engines of light vehicles equipped with particulate filters and three-way catalysts, increasing the service life of the latter.
C4 — motor oils for diesel and petrol engines that meet the latest stricter requirements for the ecology of exhaust gases Euro-4 (as amended in 2005). Oils resistant to mechanical destruction, compatible with exhaust gas neutralization units, intended for use in high-powered petrol engines and diesel engines of light vehicles requiring SAPS (reduced content of sulfated ash, phosphorus, sulfur) and minimum viscosity HTHS (3.5 mPa.s), equipped with diesel particulate filters DPF and three-way catalysts TWC, increase the service life of the latter.
E — motor oils for powerful diesel engines of trucks
E4 — motor oils that provide high piston cleanliness, wear protection, high resistance to soot contamination and stable properties throughout the entire service life. Recommended for modern diesel engines that meet the requirements of Euro-1, Euro-2, Euro-3, Euro-4 and Euro-5 standards and operate in very severe conditions with significantly extended replacement intervals (with manufacturer's recommendations). Can only be used in engines without a particulate filter, and in some engines with exhaust gas recirculation systems and nitrogen oxide emission reduction.E6 — motor oils that ensure high piston cleanliness, wear protection, high resistance to soot contamination and stable properties throughout the entire service life. Recommended for modern diesel engines that meet the requirements of Euro-1, Euro-2, Euro-3, Euro-4 and Euro-5 standards and operate in very severe conditions with significantly extended replacement intervals (with manufacturer's recommendations). Can be used in engines with an exhaust gas recirculation system, with or without a particulate filter, and for engines with nitrogen oxide emission reduction systems. Oils of this class are strongly recommended for engines equipped with particulate filters and designed to operate on fuel with a low sulfur content.
E7 — motor oils that effectively ensure piston cleanliness and protection against varnish deposits. Provide excellent wear protection, have high resistance to soot contamination and stable properties throughout the entire service life. Recommended for modern diesel engines that meet the requirements of Euro-1, Euro-2, Euro-3, Euro-4 and Euro-5 standards and operate in severe conditions with extended replacement intervals (with manufacturer's recommendations). Recommended for use in engines without particulate filters and for most engines equipped with exhaust gas recirculation and nitrogen oxide emission reduction systems.
E9 — motor oils that effectively ensure piston cleanliness and protection against varnish deposits. Provide excellent wear protection, have high resistance to soot contamination and stable properties throughout the entire service life. Recommended for modern diesel engines that meet the requirements of Euro-1, Euro-2, Euro-3, Euro-4 and Euro-5 standards and operate in severe conditions with extended replacement intervals (subject to manufacturer's recommendations). Can be used in engines with or without particulate filters and in most engines equipped with exhaust gas recirculation and nitrogen oxide emission reduction systems. Oils of this class are strongly recommended for engines equipped with particulate filters and designed to operate on low-sulphur fuel.