Here's the ACEA oil specs. Look at pages 4-6 for the gasoline engine oil spec.
http://www.acea.be/ACEA/20020618PublicationsOilSequences.pdf
--quote--
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--
Note that A2-96 is probably the weakest spec, then A1-02, A5-02, and A3-02 is tops. The B group of specs are for light duty diesel engines, and the E group of specs are for heavy duty diesels.
Ken
[ March 23, 2003, 03:23 PM: Message edited by: Ken2 ]