Need help decoding 2022 Mitsubishi Owner's Manual oil requirements (4B11 Engine)

[UNC213]

Hi everyone,
I am trying to choose the right oil for a 2022 Mitsubishi (2.0L 4B11 NA engine, MIVEC, No GPF) based strictly on the manual, but the wording is confusing and seems to contradict itself.
My driving profile consists of 100% short city trips (4–8 km) in a hot climate, so my main goals are maximum wear protection and sludge prevention.
Here is how the manual specifies the oil requirements:
The Main Clause: It states that 5W-30 and 5W-40 can only be used if they meet both an ACEA spec (A3/B3, A3/B4, or A5/B5) AND API SM or higher.
The Bullets Clause: Right below, a separate bulleted list states you can use any API SM or higher, OR any ILSAC certificated oil, OR the ACEA specs listed above.
The dilemma I need help resolving based on this text:
Should I follow the Main Clause strictly? If yes, that limits me to a heavy Euro A3/B4 5W-40 or an A5/B5 5W-30 to get both ACEA and API specs on the same bottle.
Or does the Bullets Clause mean an ILSAC GF-6 5W-30 (which has no ACEA spec) is officially approved by Mitsubishi for this engine?
How do you interpret this manual, and which spec path is the correct choice for short trips?
Thanks!

 

[UNC213]

 

[kschachn]

Use any ACEA A3/B4 and forget about the grade. Mobil 1 0W-40 at Walmart is a world-class oil at an inexpensive price. There are other ACEA A3/B4 oils at Walmart as well, pick another one if it is less expensive or on rollback.

The rest of that clause and bullets are irrelevant here.

 

[UNC213]

Thanks for the reply.
I want to follow the manual strictly to ensure maximum engine protection, but I am located outside the US, so Walmart pricing and options do not apply. I am choosing between three specific Motul oils available locally.
Given my daily short-trip profile of 4 to 8 kilometers in a hot climate, here is the dilemma with your ACEA A3/B4 recommendation:
1. Motul 8100 X-Cess Gen2 5W-40 (ACEA A3/B4, API SN): Fits the manual's dual-spec, offering high HTHS and high TBN to fight fuel dilution. However, since the engine rarely reaches operating temp, will this thicker 5W-40 cause flow delays or issues for the hydraulic MIVEC system on cold starts?
2. Motul 8100 Eco-Nergy 5W-30 (ACEA A5/B5, API SP): Also fits the manual's dual-spec. It flows faster when cold and has a massive TBN, but features a lower HTHS of around 3.1.
3. Motul 8100 Eco-Lite 5W-30 (ILSAC GF-6A, API SP): Ideal thin viscosity for short city trips, but lacks the ACEA spec required by the main clause.
If I stick strictly to the A3/B4 5W-40, is the heavier viscosity safe for the MIVEC system when the engine spends most of its life under 40 to 60 degrees Ce
lsius?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Where are you from? I assume you're not from the US since you're using km. If you're in Europe, use a 5w30 A5/B5.

If you can make at least one long trip per month (at least 15-20 km one way), that will also help a lot

 

[kschachn]

Thanks for the reply.
I want to follow the manual strictly to ensure maximum engine protection, but I am located outside the US, so Walmart pricing and options do not apply. I am choosing between three specific Motul oils available locally.
Given my daily short-trip profile of 4 to 8 kilometers in a hot climate, here is the dilemma with your ACEA A3/B4 recommendation:
1. Motul 8100 X-Cess Gen2 5W-40 (ACEA A3/B4, API SN): Fits the manual's dual-spec, offering high HTHS and high TBN to fight fuel dilution. However, since the engine rarely reaches operating temp, will this thicker 5W-40 cause flow delays or issues for the hydraulic MIVEC system on cold starts?
2. Motul 8100 Eco-Nergy 5W-30 (ACEA A5/B5, API SP): Also fits the manual's dual-spec. It flows faster when cold and has a massive TBN, but features a lower HTHS of around 3.1.
3. Motul 8100 Eco-Lite 5W-30 (ILSAC GF-6A, API SP): Ideal thin viscosity for short city trips, but lacks the ACEA spec required by the main clause.
If I stick strictly to the A3/B4 5W-40, is the heavier viscosity safe for the MIVEC system when the engine spends most of its life under 40 to 60 degrees Ce
lsius?

The manual recommendations don't necessarily result in "maximum engine protection". But using the recommended A3/B4 oil with a minimum 3.5 HT/HS is a good start. There's no dilemma incorporated in that manual recommendation.

There is zero concern about thickness here. If you really are worried about the oil warming up then a thicker oil warms up marginally faster than a thinner one.

 

[zrxkawboy]

Yes, it's not very clear, but here's how I interpret it:

-0W20, 5W20, 0W30, 5W30, and 5W40 grades can be used if the oil meets both ACEA and API.
-The other grades shown on the chart only need to meet one or the other.

 

[UNC213]

I live in Jordan

Annual mileage 11000 to 13000 km. Daily trips 4 to 8 km urban, heavy traffic, hot climate.
One weekly trip of 25 km.
The dealership used 5W-40 C3 despite this spec not appearing in the owner's manual. In my country A3/B4 is only available in 5W-40 viscosity.

Can an ILSAC and API certified oil without ACEA be use
d.
Annual mileage 11000 to 13000 km. Daily trips 4 to 8 km urban, hot climate.
One weekly trip of 25 km.