Is a5/b5 still a current spec?

[jdavis]

Asking because it doesn't seem like I see it on many modern oils anymore or is that my imagination? I didn't see it on any Mobil 1 oils according to their product data sheet either..

https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/us/pvl/files/pdfs/mobil-1-oil-product-specs-guide.pdf

What's the deal?

 

[xshoex]

Imm prrtty sure castrol 0w30 has it not 100% going off recent memory

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: rickmeseke
Imm prrtty sure castrol 0w30 has it not 100% going off recent memory

Castrol 0w30 carries ACEA A3/B4 approval.

ACEA A5/B5 is a different spec. Both are still current, or specifically the 2012 sequences are current.

In general, most engines in the US don't call for an ACEA spec, so the oil manufacturers here don't bother to certify them.

 

[jdavis]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete


In general, most engines in the US don't call for an ACEA spec, so the oil manufacturers here don't bother to certify them.


I figured that might be the reason. I did notice some older 10w30 Edge (gold bottle) I got on clearance a couple weeks ago at Autozone carries the a5/b5 spec and also the Pennzoil Ultra 10w30 (older formula).. both of them previous generations of their respective oils..

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: jdavis
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete


In general, most engines in the US don't call for an ACEA spec, so the oil manufacturers here don't bother to certify them.


I figured that might be the reason. I did notice some older 10w30 Castrol EDGE (gold bottle) I got on clearance a couple weeks ago at Autozone carries the a5/b5 spec and also the Pennzoil Ultra 10w30 (older formula).. both of them previous generations of their respective oils..

Castrol EDGE 5w30 carries ACEA A5/B5 approval,too, according to its spec sheet.

 

[jdavis]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: jdavis
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete


In general, most engines in the US don't call for an ACEA spec, so the oil manufacturers here don't bother to certify them.


I figured that might be the reason. I did notice some older 10w30 Castrol EDGE (gold bottle) I got on clearance a couple weeks ago at Autozone carries the a5/b5 spec and also the Pennzoil Ultra 10w30 (older formula).. both of them previous generations of their respective oils..

Castrol EDGE 5w30 carries ACEA A5/B5 approval, according to its spec sheet.


Interesting, will check that out next time I'm in Walmart.

 

[bbhero]

I may well be off here but I think the only the Castrol gold bottle carries the ACEA A5 approval. I'm curious if the black bottle carries this as well.

 

[jdavis]

Apparently a5/b5 is meant for extended drain intervals so that may be part of the reason on the gold bottle.

 

[B320i]

This is seemingly "the dirt" on the A5/B5 oils.

It sounds to me like it ought to be used in place of typical "energy conserving oils." These products are just oils that meet a tougher requirement for low-viscosity oils, and are probably suited for a lot of the small european "buzz boxes" used on short trips/long drains.

Link below has a chart with all the qualities found in an A5/B5 oil. Looks pretty similar to the A3/B4 (or A3/B3) used in BMW and Merc applications.

 

[bbhero]

Yes sir, I believe you are spot on with your analysis here.

 

[SR5]

Here is a link to the ACEA sequences

https://www.acea.be/uploads/publications/2012_ACEA_Oil_Sequences.pdf

Both A3/B4 and A5/B5 are stay-in-grade extended drain interval oils.
The A5/B5 is low HTHS (between 2.9 and 3.5) and is made for fuel efficiency.
The A3/B4 is high HTHS (3.5 or above) and is a more robust oil (higher TBN too).

They are both great oil standards.

 

[Garak]

It was discussed in another thread that A5/B5 has been perhaps temporarily derailed, at least for one or two brands, with something to do with a test about biodiesel for the B5 part of the specification. Black bottle and gold bottle Castrol had it, as did M1, and Castrol was just being rigorous about following the rules. PP and PUP are also A5/B5.

 

[Falcon_LS]

At some point, Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 carried this approval. If memory serves me right, it had to be 5w30 viscosity with an HTHS of < 3.5 cP and a Group III basestock.

 

[dlundblad]

A member here confirmed that an A5/B5 was needed for a later model turbo charged Hyundai.

It might be a good alternative to an A3/B3 if availability or warranty got in the way.

 

[slybunda]

isnt a5/b5 just an extended drain version of a1/b1? so just a more shear stable version of a1/b1?

 

[supercity]

A5/B5 is current. Ford is a big user of A5/B5 in Europe. Up until recently it went in almost all Ford (And Volvo) gasoline and diesel passenger cars and light commercials. A5/B5 has far stricter requirements than A1/B1. A1/B1 is virtually redundant and is likely to be retired

 

[slybunda]

ford have some other type of 913-a,b,c or d specs?

 

[supercity]

Yes WSS M2C 913x is the underlying Ford Spec which aligns with A5/B5 releases. i.e. 913C is A5/B5 2010 and 913D is A5/B5 2012. 913x will likely be replaced by 950x which will be low Saps

 

[weasley]

Originally Posted By: slybunda
isnt a5/b5 just an extended drain version of a1/b1? so just a more shear stable version of a1/b1?


Sort of. The differences between A1/B1 and A5/B5 are this:

- A5/B5 must stay-in-grade after the shear test
- A5/B5 allows a higher maximum sulphated ash (1.6% vs 1.3%).
- A5/B5 has an "oxidation in the presence of biodiesel" bench test
- A5/B5 has piston and engine cleanliness limits in the OM646LA test (as well as the common cam and cylinder wear limits)
- A5/B5 has to run an additional biodiesel engine test.

BMW's LL-01FE specification is based off of ACEA A5/B5 and until recently Volvo specified A5/B5 for their engines.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Yes, A5/B5 is still current. It's just that M1 is getting lazy. Pennzoil Platinum / Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w30 is the only A5/B5 you can get in the US for the time being.

Castrol suspended its Edge A5/B5 approvals, but they are working on a new formula that will again meet A5/B5 this fall.

Originally Posted By: supercity
A5/B5 is current. Ford is a big user of A5/B5 in Europe. Up until recently it went in almost all Ford (And Volvo) gasoline and diesel passenger cars and light commercials. A5/B5 has far stricter requirements than A1/B1. A1/B1 is virtually redundant and is likely to be retired


I don't think they'll retire A1/B1 with the advent of thinner oils like 0w20, which cannot meet A5/B5 because it requires HTHS of at least 2.9, whereas A1/B1 only requires 2.6 for the 20 grades.