This document details the ACEA 2010 European Oil Sequences for Service-fill Oils for Gasoline engines, for Light Duty Diesel engines, for Gasoline & 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. Performance parameters other than those covered by the tests shown or more stringent limits may be indicated by individual member companies. | These sequences will replace the ACEA 2008 sequences as a means of defining engine lubricant quality from 22nd December 2010. CONDITIONS FOR USE OF PERFORMANCE CLAIMS AGAINST THE ACEA OIL SEQUENCES ACEA requires that any claims for Oil performance to meet these sequences must be based on credible data and controlled tests in accredited test laboratories. ACEA requires that engine performance testing used to support a claim of compliance with these ACEA sequences should be generated according to the European Engine Lubricants Quality Management System (EELQMS), but ACEA reserves the right to define alternatives in exceptional cases. EELQMS which is described in the ATIEL Code of Practice1, addresses product development testing and product performance documentation, and involves the registration of all candidate and reference oil testing and defines the compliance process. Compliance with the ATIEL Code of Practice is mandatory for any claim to meet the requirements of the 2010 issue of the ACEA sequences. Therefore ACEA requires that claims against the ACEA oil sequences can only be made by oil companies or oil distributors who have signed the EELQMS oil marketers' Letter of Conformance (for details: www.atiel.org). The ACEA oil sequences are underlying a constant development. Replacement tests and other changes required by the European automobile manufacturers are integrated and new issues are published on a regular basis. As new editions are published older editions have to be withdrawn. Validities of new and old editions are overlapping for limited periods of time as shown in the following table and the accompanying text below. When a new ACEA sequence is introduced, oils with claims against the previous can be marketed only for another two years. The marketer of an oil claiming ACEA performance requirements is responsible for all aspects of product liability. Where limits are shown relative to a reference oil, then these must be compared to the last valid Reference Result on that test stand prior to the candidate and using the same hardware. Further details will be in the ATIEL Code of Practice. Where claims are made that Oil performance meets the requirements of the ACEA sequences (e.g. product literature, packaging, labels) they must specify the ACEA Class and Category (see Nomenclature & ACEA Process for definitions).
CERTIFICATION and REGISTRATION Claims against the ACEA Oil Sequences can be made on a self-certification basis. ACEA asks oil marketers wishing to use the ACEA claims to register their product with the registration system on the ACEA website. All information needed for registration is requested on a form which is available in the appropriate section of the ACEA website (www.acea.be). Engine Oils claiming any of the ACEA oil sequences should be registered directly after their launch into the market. After completing the form it will be saved on the ACEA server. If claims are no longer needed oil companies are asked to delete their registration. If claims are continued to be used after three years re-registration is needed. REPLACEMENT of CCMC sequences The chart below shows the evolution of the engine oil specifications commonly developed by the European Automobile manufacturers. CCMC (Comite des Constructeurs du Marche Commun) was the forerunner organisation to ACEA. In January 1996 the CCMC European Oil Sequences became obsolete and were replaced by the ACEA European Oil Sequences. This is true for light duty engine oils as well as heavy duty engine oils. CCMC European Oil Sequences are not supported any more by ACEA. With the 2004 release of the ACEA European Oil Sequences the A and B categories have been combined to the respective A/B categories. At the same time, a new set of categories has been introduced with the intention to create specifications for engine oils being suitable for the latest and future aftertreatment systems for Gasoline and Diesel engines. These categories are designated as Cx-categories. For Heavy Duty Diesel engines, the CCMC Dx categories were replaced by the ACEA Ex categories as of 1 January 1996. The CCMC Dx categories then became obsolete and are no longer supported by ACEA.
The sequences define the minimum quality level of a product for self-certification to EELQMS and presentation to ACEA members. Performance parameters other than those covered by the tests shown or more stringent limits may be indicated by individual ACEA member companies. NOMENCLATURE & ACEA PROCESS: Each set of sequences is designated for consumer use by a 2 part code comprising a letter to define the CLASS (e.g. C), and a number to define the CATEGORY (e.g. C1). In addition, for industry use, each sequence has a two-digit number to identify the YEAR of implementation of that severity level (e.g. A1 / B1-04). The CLASS indicates oil intended for a general type of engine - currently A / B = gasoline and light duty diesel engines; C = catalyst compatible oils for gasoline and diesel engines with after treatment devices. Other classes may be added in future if, for example, Natural Gas engines prove to require oil characteristics which cannot readily be incorporated into existing classes. The CATEGORY indicates oils for different purposes or applications within that general class, related to some aspect or aspects of the performance level of the oil. Typical applications for each sequence are described below for guidance only. Specific applications of each sequence are the responsibility of the individual motor manufacturer for their own vehicles and engines. Oils within a category may also meet the requirements of another category, but some engines may only be satisfied by oils of one category within a class. The YEAR numbers for ACEA Sequence is intended only for industry use and indicates the year of implementation of that severity level for the particular category. A new year number will indicate, for example, that a new test, parameter or limit has been incorporated in the category to meet new / upgraded performance requirements whilst remaining compatible with existing applications. An update must always satisfy the applications of the previous issue. If this is not the case, then a new category is required. An administrative ISSUE Number is added for industry use where it is necessary to update the technical requirements of a sequence without the intention to increase severity (e.g. when a CEC test engine is updated to the latest version whilst maintaining equivalent severity; or where a severity shift in the test requires modification of the specified limits.).
Where claims are made that Oil performance meets the requirements of the ACEA sequences (e.g. product literature, packaging, labels) they must specify the ACEA Class and Category (see Nomenclature & ACEA Process for definitions). Consumer Language.: A/B : gasoline and diesel engine oils A1/B1 Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use at extended drain intervals in gasoline engines and car & light van diesel engines specifically designed to be capable of using low friction low viscosity oils with a high temperature / high shear rate viscosity of 2.6 mPa*s for xW/20 and 2.9 to 3.5 mPa.s for all other viscosity grades. These oils are unsuitable for use in some engines. Consult owner manual or handbook if in doubt. A3/B3 Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use in high performance gasoline engines and car & light van diesel engines and/or for extended drain intervals where specified by the engine manufacturer, and/or for year-round use of low viscosity oils, and/or for severe operating conditions as defined by the engine manufacturer. A3/B4 Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use in high performance gasoline and direct injection diesel engines, but also suitable for applications described under A3/B3. A5/B5 Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use at extended drain intervals in high performance gasoline engines and car & light van diesel engines designed to be capable of using low friction low viscosity oils with a High temperature / High shear rate (HTHS) viscosity of 2.9 to 3.5 mPa.s. These oils are unsuitable for use in some engines. Consult owner manual or handbook if in doubt. C : Catalyst compatibility oils C1 Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use as catalyst compatible oil in vehicles with DPF and TWC in high performance car and light van diesel and gasoline engines requiring low friction, low viscosity, low SAPS oils with a minimum HTHS viscosity of 2.9 mPa.s. These oils will increase the DPF and TWC life and maintain the ehicles fuel economy. Warning: these oils have the lowest SAPS limits and are unsuitable for use in some engines. Consult owner manual or handbook if in doubt. C2 Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use as catalyst compatible oil in vehicles with DPF and TWC in high performance car and light van diesel and gasoline engines designed to be capable of using low friction, low viscosity oils with a minimum HTHS viscosity of 2.9mPa.s. These oils will increase the DPF and TWC life and maintain the vehicles fuel economy. Warning: these oils are unsuitable for use in some engines. Consult owner manual or handbook if in doubt. C3 Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use as catalyst compatible oil in vehicles with DPF and TWC in high performance car and light van diesel and gasoline engines, with a minimum HTHS viscosity of 3.5mPa.s. These oils will increase the DPF and TWC life. Warning: these oils are unsuitable for use in some engines. Consult owner manual or handbook if in doubt. C4 Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use as catalyst compatible oil in vehicles with DPF and TWC in high performance car and light van diesel and gasoline engines requiring low SAPS oil with a minimum HTHS viscosity of 3.5mPa.s. These oils will increase the DPF and TWC life. Warning: these oils are unsuitable for use in some engines. Consult owner manual or handbook if in doubt. SAPS : Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus, Sulphur DPF : Diesel Particulate Filter TWC : Three way catalyst HTHS : High temperature / High shear rate viscosity
E : Heavy Duty Diesel 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, e.g. significantly extended oil drain intervals according to the manufacturer's recommendations. It is suitable for engines without particulate filters, and 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 shall be consulted if in doubt. E6 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, e.g. 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. E6 quality is strongly recommended for engines fitted with articulate 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 shall 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, e.g. 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 shall be consulted if in doubt. E9 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, e.g. 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 eduction systems. E9 is strongly recommended for engines fitted with particulate filters and is designed for use in combination with low sulphur diesel fuel. However, ecommendations may differ between engine manufacturers so Drivers Manuals and/or Dealers should be consulted if in doubt |
