quote:
Originally posted by FowVay:
I have to admit that oil products in Germany are of very high quality. I was browsing the shelves of the local Super Wal-Mart in Landau, Germany, just last week and I was amazed that even their cheapy oils were at least ACEA A2 rated. Wally sold a 5 liter container of 15W-40 for 5.89 euro and also offered the full line of Pentosin oils and even had the STP oil treatment (made in the UK though).
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ACEA A2-96 is a 1996 spec and the lowest spec of the lot. ACEA A1-02 is a higher spec is some regards. Here's more info from ACEA:
Gasoline Sequences
A1--Oil intended for use in gasoline engines specifically designed to be capable of using low friction, low viscosity oils with a High Temperature / High Shear Rate Viscosity of 2.6 to 3.5 mPa.s. These oils may be unsuitable for use in
some engines. Consult owner manual or handbook if in doubt.
A2--General purpose oil intended for use in most gasoline engines with normal drain intervals, although it may not be suitable for some high performance engines.
A3--Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use in high performance gasoline 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.
A4--Reserved for future use for gasoline direct injection engines.
A5--Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use at extended drain intervals in high performance gasoline engines designed to be capable of using low friction, low viscosity oils with a HT/HS of 2.9 to 3.5 mPa.s. These oils may be unsuitable for use in some engines. Consult owner manual or handbook if in doubt.
--end quote--
So, European oils are made more expensively to a higher spec when needed, A5 is the tough energy conserving spec, A3 is the toughest spec, and Mobil 1 0W-40 and 15W-40 are different formulations than the Mobil 1 xW-30 line of oils, not just different viscosities. Roughly speaking, ACEA A2-96 oil probably compares to the lowest quality API-SL oil on our shelves, with ACEA A1-02 comparing to API-SL "energy conserving" oil.
Ken