API vs ACEA
- Thread starter Jim Allen
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I think that the API specs are very general and ACEA has lots of specific specs, some connected directly to a manufacturer. I don't know how you would really compare them, except to say that if you owner's manual calls for one spec or the other, you should consider following instructions, at least for the duration of the warranty. Because one API oil happens to meet a certain ACEA spec it does not mean that all ACEA oils of that spec meet the same API spec.
AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
ACEA attempts to corelate oil viscosity to engine protection and OCI's.
For eg. A3 is max. engine protection and sets a golden standard of viscosity/HT/HS of 3.5
And for eg. A1/A2/A5 differentiates between oils of lesser viscosity/HT/HS compared to A3 (as approved per manuf.) and differentiates those that are approved for extended OCI's...
For eg. A3 is max. engine protection and sets a golden standard of viscosity/HT/HS of 3.5
And for eg. A1/A2/A5 differentiates between oils of lesser viscosity/HT/HS compared to A3 (as approved per manuf.) and differentiates those that are approved for extended OCI's...
ACEA A3 is very very good. I will take that over SL any day.
Some (not all) ACEA specs are materially "stronger"---especially for 20K Kilometer/1yr OCIs extended drain services, using like 7 litre sumps (read: more chemicals in the engine vs USA).
*HOWEVER* most euros apparently have their cars fully serviced professionally once per year (OCI plus other stuff) to comply with law and/or custom ...and the car is bigger investment to most families, so they really do CHECK THE OIL for makeup - an absoleutly "alien" exercise to most Americans self-serve I want cheaper gas drivers (you know...all those folks NOT on BITOG hahaha). Long OCI without makeup oil is NOT a recipe for success...ahem.
Also euro oils are like $7++ per litre (!!!) and they have less efficent distribution and retailing in general (read higher prices & few walmarts to support other social goals).
If detroit went to 7/8 quart sumps, slightly bigger/better filters, and required us to buy $5/quart oils, with a "quart low" light-lockout, USA could have long OCIs too IMHO. And the trade groups might consider merging API/ILSAC and ACEA specs...
I would miss my "therapeutic oil changes on Saturday" ...snif snif...
*HOWEVER* most euros apparently have their cars fully serviced professionally once per year (OCI plus other stuff) to comply with law and/or custom ...and the car is bigger investment to most families, so they really do CHECK THE OIL for makeup - an absoleutly "alien" exercise to most Americans self-serve I want cheaper gas drivers (you know...all those folks NOT on BITOG hahaha). Long OCI without makeup oil is NOT a recipe for success...ahem.
Also euro oils are like $7++ per litre (!!!) and they have less efficent distribution and retailing in general (read higher prices & few walmarts to support other social goals).
If detroit went to 7/8 quart sumps, slightly bigger/better filters, and required us to buy $5/quart oils, with a "quart low" light-lockout, USA could have long OCIs too IMHO. And the trade groups might consider merging API/ILSAC and ACEA specs...
I would miss my "therapeutic oil changes on Saturday" ...snif snif...
While API SM offers superb protection, I don't think I'm going out on a limb to suggest that the latest ACEA specs are generally more stringent than the latest API specs. As time goes on, though, I suspect the distinction will merge. It really depends on what and how soon Detroit and Japanese automakers demand for future engine protection and longer oil change intervals. There's no formulation mystery. Whatever BP's Castrol division can formulate in Germany, the company can duplicate or surpass here, too.
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