Euro oil in a non European car.
- Thread starter Durdude
- Start date
Here is a short list of posts to get you started.
Never do this your vehicle will explode
Well now I got to try it!
Thanks! This will keep occupied for a bit.
There are oils for Euro cars, because most cars in Europe are turbo diesel. Diesel fuel is much cheaper there than gasoline and turbo diesel engine have better MPG than gasoline engines too. So a lot of people drive those cars thar are mostly German - VAG (VW/Audi Group), MB, BMW.
Turbo cars need more robust oils and the diesels are high compression engines too. There are significant amount of diesel direct injection too.
ACEA C2/C3 oils are designed to protect the diesel DPF system and the cat. converters too, but they are suitable for gasoline engines too.
ACEA A3/B4 are oils designed mostly for turbo gasoline cars like Porsche, VAG, MB, BMW and turbo diesel cars without DPF. For some reason the turbo German cars always run hotter by default (especially the VAG cars) and for that reason why require more robust oil. The Porsches have rear or mid engine and also struggle with higher temperatures than usual.
Euro emission standards may be a bit stringent than US, but they really don't have that MPG resource conserving thing that EPA enforces here. Or at least I'm not aware.
So people there run ticker oils with higher HTHS values that maybe a bit less efficient for the MPG, but provides much better lubricity protection. That's all.
By using those oils you just ad extra layer of protection to your engine and probably a bit extended OCI. However, some thicker/higher viscosity oils may affect the lubricity of the cam chain in the winter.
Turbo cars need more robust oils and the diesels are high compression engines too. There are significant amount of diesel direct injection too.
ACEA C2/C3 oils are designed to protect the diesel DPF system and the cat. converters too, but they are suitable for gasoline engines too.
ACEA A3/B4 are oils designed mostly for turbo gasoline cars like Porsche, VAG, MB, BMW and turbo diesel cars without DPF. For some reason the turbo German cars always run hotter by default (especially the VAG cars) and for that reason why require more robust oil. The Porsches have rear or mid engine and also struggle with higher temperatures than usual.
Euro emission standards may be a bit stringent than US, but they really don't have that MPG resource conserving thing that EPA enforces here. Or at least I'm not aware.
So people there run ticker oils with higher HTHS values that maybe a bit less efficient for the MPG, but provides much better lubricity protection. That's all.
By using those oils you just ad extra layer of protection to your engine and probably a bit extended OCI. However, some thicker/higher viscosity oils may affect the lubricity of the cam chain in the winter.
Last edited:
I use ACEA A3/B4 5W-40 in my 1989 Toyota Soarer GT Twin Turbo L.
Thickie love. The European versions typically have a higher kinematic viscosity for the grade described plus bunch of qualifications that some deem superior to ILSAC motor oils. Looking for a European oil in an absolutely non European application? I’m running Castrol 5w40 Euro in my Chevy 6.0 gas engine in my Suburban. 
I second this, your engine will be on it's last legs if it doesn't explode during the 1st oil change.
Don't do it! Your pick-up and Camry will start speaking funny languages 
.
.Another problem is your engine will want to take August off.
Patman
Staff member
I use Mobil 1 ESP in my Corvette and in my Civic because the ESP lineup are the best oils that Mobil 1 offers and are the same price as a lot of other synthetic oils that don’t have the same approvals that ESP has. It doesn’t bother me that they are labeled as being a “European Formula”, the ESP line of oils are very well made oils at a good price point.
Long explanation short euro oils are better blended to meet stricter performance requirements and sometimes do it with zero downside like equal better emissions protection while delivering more wear protection and extended drains and can be used in non euro cars.
No, the rules are based on CO2 emissions.
The other thing that has historically driven European oils is the requirement for long-drain capability.
Euro oils are usually thicker and are designed with a longer OCI in mind.
I didn't know what to do with my old bimmer M Roadster since it was built in the U.S. I consulted with some Minnesota blonds and they didnt know what to do either.
When I brought it to the local BMW dealer for OC, they just used Gulfpride 5W30 Fauxsyn bulk oil. Well the VANOS T chain guide up top gave up the ghost at 58K miles chewing its way through stuff. Too bad good shifting transmission in that M.
When I brought it to the local BMW dealer for OC, they just used Gulfpride 5W30 Fauxsyn bulk oil. Well the VANOS T chain guide up top gave up the ghost at 58K miles chewing its way through stuff. Too bad good shifting transmission in that M.
It convert your hood to a bonnet and your trunk to a boot.
Bollocks! On the big island we don't claim ourselves 'peans!
Blimey! I’m rubbish at this, I am. Proper muppet.
This!
Similar threads
