Acea oil Rating what does it mean?

[Big Dave 58]

I have noticed on the back of 5W30 oil containers some have a spec ACEA A2/B2 what Does this mean? and can you use this oil if the recommended oil for the engine has a rating of 5W30 ACEA A1/B1-A3/B3. or do you have to stick with the A1/B1 -A3/B3

[SpoolMan]

ACEA requires that any claims for Oil performance to meet these sequences must be based on credible data and controlled tests in accredited test laboratories.

All engine performance testing used to support a claim of compliance with these ACEA sequences must be generated according to the European Engine Lubricants Quality Management System (EELQMS). This system, which is described in the ATIEL Code of Practice1, addresses product development testing and product performance documentation, and involves the registration of all candidate and reference oil testing and defines the compliance process. Compliance with the ATIEL Code of Practice is mandatory for any claim to meet the requirements of the 2004 issue of these ACEA sequences.

First allowable use means that claims cannot be made against the specification before the date indicated.

New claims by means that from this date all claims for new oil formulations must be according to the latest ACEA release. (For example until 1st November 2005, oil marketers can claim engine oils meeting the ACEA 2002 release even though the 2004 release is active. After 1st November 2005 , any new oil claims must be according to the ACEA 2004 sequences.)

Withdrawn means that no claims can be made against the issue after the date indicated
Issue year* First allowable use New claims by Withdrawn
1996 1st March 1996 1st March 1999 1st March 2000
1998 1st March 1998 1st September 2000 1st March 2002
1999 1st September 1999 1st February 2003 1st February 2004
2002 1st February 2002 1st November 2005 1st November 2006
2004 1st November 2004

* Issue year of full document

The marketer of an oil claiming to meet ACEA performance requirements is responsible for all aspects of product liability.

Where limits are shown relative to a reference oil, then these must be compared to the last valid Reference Result on that test stand prior to the candidate and using the same hardware. Further details will be in the ATIEL Code of Practice.

Where claims are made that Oil performance meets the requirements of the ACEA sequences (e.g. product literature, packaging, labels) they must specify the ACEA Class and Category (see Nomenclature & ACEA Process for definitions).

The categories A2 and B2 are not included in this edition of the ACEA European Oil Sequences because they are unsuitable for some of the current engines and will be unsuitable for many future engines. Misuse may cause engine damage. However, the use of A2/B2 oils for older engines (where owner's or workshop's literature recommends this use) is still appropriate and can be done according to the categories A2-96 Issue 3 and B2-98-Issue 2.

all this info was copied from
http://www.infineum.com/information/conditions.html

[GXL078]

All well and good but what does it mean?

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by xcgxl

All well and good but what does it mean?

I believe the European one is the one that oil manufacturers use to rate there oil to there ACEA Specification.
Not 100% sure its something I seen on TV a few weeks back.

ACEA = Association des Constructeurs Européens d'Automobiles

[Green X]

ACEA is a classification used to rate oil same as API but where API is the American standard witch is what we are used to in Australia ACEA is the European standard.

There is also another one that is a Japanese standard as well but can’t recall it.

They are not interchangeable, I.E if your Manuel specifies a 5W30 API rated Oil a ACEA 5W30 is not acceptable, unless the Oil is duel rated API,ACEA oil.

Cheers.

[Big Dave 58]

Thanks spoolman very informative

[Big Dave 58]

Thanks Green x ,ive put the two together and it is much clearer now great work.