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Understanding engine oil designations
The engine oils specified for the vast majority of vehicles sold in Australia are covered by either the SAE / API or ACEA oil classification systems.
The following is a brief explanation of these classification systems.
SAE viscosity ratings
SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) ratings designate the oil’s viscosity; simply put, how thick or thin an oil is at a certain temperature. For example SAE 30 oil is “thinner” (less viscous) than SAE 50 oil.
The vast majority of carmakers specify multi grade oils which are designed to act like a thin oil when cold so that they can circulate through the engine quickly on start up, and like a thicker oil when hot, to provide the necessary engine protection. An example of a multi grade oil designation is 10W-40. The 10W (W = winter) indicates how the oil would behave when cold, while the 40 is how it acts when hot.
However some quite rare special applications may require a mono grade oil such as SAE 30.
API service classifications
American Petroleum Institute service classifications are a two-letter rating beginning with “S” for petrol engine oils and “C” for diesel engine oils. The second letter designates the oil’s quality standard, beginning with the letter “A”. The further along the alphabet, the higher the oil’s quality. Many oils meet standards for both petrol and diesel engines and will be marked with a dual service classification, for example SH/CD, however this is not universal and it is becoming more common for oils to be specified for only one type of engine.
The viscosity rating and the classification system when combined give the information needed to select the correct oil for your car. Your car’s handbook will specify the manufacturer’s recommendations, for example, SH 10W - 30. Some handbooks also have temperature charts so you can select the correct grade of oil for the climatic conditions the vehicle is likely to operate in.
ACEA service classifications
ACEA stands for the Association des Constructeurs Europeens d’Automobiles, the association of European automobile manufacturers. Like the API service classifications that have been used in the US and Australia for many years, the European ACEA system is the accepted standard in Europe, and is appearing more frequently in Australia.
ACEA standards recognise that European engines differ from US (style) engines in both their design and operating conditions and that the demands on their oils are also different. This requires the oils used in European engines to be unique and consequently the classification system for them also needs to be unique. For this reason it is difficult to compare the common API classification and ACEA standards as the test sequences for them are quite different.
Some ACEA standards also take into account the effect the oil has on engine emissions and emission control systems. This is very much more important for engines that need to meet the much tighter Euro emission standards now applicable in Europe and Australia.
An example of a typical ACEA oil specification is 0W – 40 A3.
The following is a brief explanation of ACEA categories. Major oil companies are providing ACEA classifications on the packaging of compliant oils. Generally only the higher quality synthetic or part synthetic oils will meet ACEA standards. Oils that do not carry ACEA classifications should be regarded as not meeting these standards.
These oils are not suitable for all engines and it is important to follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations at all times. If there is any doubt about the appropriateness of an oil for a particular application it is wise to
its suitability with the oil’s manufacturer. All major oil companies operate technical help lines for this purpose.
The following information is intended to be a brief explanation only. It should not be used as a guide to selecting a suitable oil.
ACEA categories
A / B / C / E – Petrol and diesel engine oils
(A = petrol engines, B = light duty diesel engines, C= catalyst compatible oils, E = heavy duty diesel engines)
A1 / B1
Oils intended for use in petrol and diesel car and light commercial vehicles specifically capable of using low friction, low viscosity oils with high temperature / high shear characteristics.
A3 / B3
For use in high performance petrol and diesel cars and light commercials where extended drain intervals are specified by the vehicle manufacturer and / or for year-round use of low viscosity oils and / or for use in severe operating conditions as defined by the vehicle manufacturer.
A3 / B4
For use in high performance petrol and direct injection diesel engines. Also suitable for applications described under B3.
A5 / B5
For use at extended oil change intervals in high performance car and light commercial petrol and diesel engines designed for low viscosity oils.
C - Catalyst compatible oils
C1, C2, C3 and C4
For use in high performance car and light commercial petrol and diesel engines, with diesel particulate filter, three-way catalyst and / or requiring low viscosity, low friction, catalyst compatible oils.
E4
Recommended for highly rated diesel engines meeting Euro 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 emission standards and running under very severe conditions (i.e. extended oil drain intervals as specified by the vehicle manufacturer) It is suitable for engines without particulate filters, and for some EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) engines and some engines fitted with SCR (selective catalyst reduction) NOx (oxides of nitrogen) reduction systems.
E6
Recommended for highly rated diesel engines meeting Euro 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 emission standards and running under very severe conditions, (e.g. extended oil drain intervals as specified by the vehicle manufacturer) It is suitable for EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) engines with or without particulate filters, and for engines fitted with SCR (selective catalyst reduction) NOx (oxides of nitrogen) reduction systems. E6 is strongly recommended for engines fitted with particulate filters and is designed for use in combination with low sulphur diesel fuel.
E7
Recommended for highly rated diesel engines meeting Euro 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 emission standards and running under severe conditions, (e.g. extended oil drain intervals as specified by the vehicle manufacturer) It is suitable for engines without particulate filters, and for most EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) engines and most engines fitted with SCR (selective catalyst reduction) NOx (oxides of nitrogen) reduction systems. It further provides excellent wear control, soot handling and lubricant stability, and effective control with respect to piston cleanliness and bore polishing.
E9
Recommended for highly rated diesel engines meeting Euro 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 emission standards and running under severe conditions, (e.g. extended oil drain intervals as specified by the vehicle manufacturer) It is suitable for most EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) engines with or without particulate filters, and for most engines fitted with SCR (selective catalyst reduction) NOx (oxides of nitrogen) reduction systems. E9 is strongly recommended for engines fitted with particulate filters and is designed for use in combination with low sulphur diesel fuel. It further provides excellent wear control, soot handling and lubricant stability, and effective control with respect to piston cleanliness and bore polishing.
ILSAC ratings
Oils carrying the ILSAC rating must meet the oil standards set by the International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC). They are denoted by a GF rating prefix (such as GF3, GF 4 etc). For oils to carry a GF rating they must meet the standard specified by ILSAC for minimum performance requirements (both engine sequence and bench tests) plus physical and chemical properties. ILSAC also requires specific testing to prove improved engine energy efficiency. Typically, ILSAC ratings are applied to low viscosity oils such as 0W-20, 5W-20, 0W-30, 5W-30 and 10W-30.
ILSAC GF3 was introduced into Australia in 2001, GF4 in 2004 and GF5 in about 2011. Generally speaking, each change in rating requires significantly more severe test conditions to be met. Thus later (higher) ratings will typically outperform earlier ILSAC rated oils.
Some oils will also be specified as meeting ILSAC standards. For more information on ILSAC ratings and other low viscosity oils see our fact sheet on Low Viscosity Engine Oils.
Superseded standards
If you have an older vehicle you may find the handbook specifies a superseded oil grade, such as SE. In this case, any current oil suited to the type of engine and having an appropriate viscosity rating will be acceptable and will far exceed the performance standards of the superseded oil.
