ILSAC VS ACEA

[Camu Mahubah]

Okay this has probably been done over a thousand times. I know. Thing is I got a case of oil in 5w20 that passes the ILSAC 4 test. It does however not have the ACEA spec for 5w20.

Is this because the ACEA test is not a commonly used spec in the US or the manufaturer did not pay to have this spec via purchasing an additive package that meets ACEA specs or what? You know I figured if an oil could pass the ILSAC test it would also pass the ACEA test. I been here what four years? I should know this. I guess I need a refresher course. And it doesn't really matter what brand of oil this is. I am gonna run it 6k with a Napa Gold. Fact that it is a synthetic(most likely Grp III) surprises me that it ain't got the ACEA banners. Nah mean?

Enlighten me...

 

[Falcon_LS]

I wonder if it could possibly have something to do with the fact that it's a 5W-20 oil, which they do not sell in Europe.

 

[Brian Barnhart]

Some ACEA testing requirements (which include 5W20 oils) are different than ILSAC so compliance with ACEA would require more testing ($$$). It's possible that the oil marketer didn't see much benefit to ACEA approval since relatively few vehicles sold in the US specify ACEA oils. I'm not sure how close a Grp. III or higher ILSAC GF-4 oil is to meeting ACEA requirements. Lubrizol's Relative Performance Tool offers some insight into different oil requirements.

 

[AndyH]

FWIW, the ACEA 2004 Sequence document I have does mention xW-20 oils.

 

[Brian Barnhart]

Newer ACEA Specs do cover xW20 oils.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Well you see the thing is the Big Name version of this oil has the ACEA specs. The store brand version of this oil does not. I shouldn't say it like that because they might not be the same version at all. Well they are both made by the same company and are 5w20. I was just wondering if the store brand does not have the ACEA spec because of financial investment required to get this spec or the fact that it will not meet this spec?

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Oh and I should have told you guys I have seen the ACEA spec for 5w20. If I remember correctly one of the qualifications is a certain sheer rate. Oh man, I need to brush up on my oil terms. I used to know exactly what that was called.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

This is an open book test you guys!