The last couple of years we have seen updates to two of the oil specification categories common in the industry — dexos and ACEA. They are staying cutting-edge, adding engine tests and advancing their motor oil requirements to provide protection for the carm anufacturers who depend on them.
dexos1 Gen 2
The most current dexos1 specification (dexos1 Gen 2) was released in 2015 to provide even higher engine performance and protection, particularly low speed pre-ignition (LSPI) protection in small displacement turbo-charged engines.GM has developed four new engine tests for this updated specification:
- New General Motors Oxidation & Deposit Test (GMOD) verifies the improved oxidation and deposit control characteristics.
- New Stochastic Pre-ignition Test verifies the added protection for turbocharged engines and pre-ignition concerns.
- New Turbocharger Deposit Test verifies the added protection for turbocharged engines and minimizes deposit formation, which ensures optimal performance during engine life.
- New Aeration Test (bubble control) ensures the air bubbles in the oil dissipate quickly to improve oil performance.
For more information about dexos1 Gen 2, visit: www.centerforqa.com/dexos/
ACEA 2016 Oil Sequence Updates
The latest engine oil specifications from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) first launched on December 1, 2016, and will become mandatory on December 1, 2017. These new sequences replaced the ACEA 2016 Oil Sequences, effective December 1, 2016.The ACEA 2016 European Oil Sequences for service-fill oils have three classes of sequences: one for gasoline and light duty diesel engines (A); one specifically for gasoline and light duty diesel engines with after treatment devices (C) and one for heavy duty diesel engines (E). Within each of these sets there are categories that reflect different performance requirements — three (A3/B3, A3/B4 and A5/B5) for gasoline and light duty diesel engines, five (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5) specifically for engines with after treatment devices and four (E4, E6, E7, E9) for heavy duty diesel engines.
Here is more detail on some of the 2016 ACEA Sequences:
- A1/B1: Category was removed.
- A3/B3: Stable, stay-in-grade engine oil intended for use in passenger car and light duty van gasoline and diesel engines with extended drain intervals where specified by the engine manufacturer, and for severe operating conditions as defined by the engine manufacturer.
- A3/B4: Stable, stay-in-grade engine oil intended for use at extended drain intervals in passenger car and light duty van gasoline and direct injection (DI) diesel engines, but also suitable for applications described under A3/B3.
- A5/B5: Stable, stay-in-grade engine oil intended for use at extended drain intervals in passenger car and light duty van gasoline and diesel engines designed to be capable of using low viscosity oils with high temperature high shear (HTHS) viscosity of 2.9 to 3.5 mPa s.
- C1: Stable, stay-in-grade engine oil with lowest sulphated ash, phosphorus, sulphur (SAPS) level, intended for use as catalyst compatible oil at extended drain intervals in vehicles with all types of modern aftermarket systems and high performance passenger car and light duty van gasoline and DI diesel engines designed to be capable of using low viscosity oils with a minimum HTHS viscosity of 2.9 mPa s.
- C2: Stable, stay-in-grade engine oil with mid SAPS-level, intended for use as catalyst compatible oil at extended drain intervals in vehicles with all types of modern aftertreatment systems and high performance passenger car and light duty van gasoline and DI diesel engines designed to be capable of using low viscosity oils with a minimum HTHS viscosity of 2.9 mPa s.
- C3: Stable, stay-in-grade engine oil with mid SAPS-level, intended for use as catalyst compatible oil at extended drain intervals in vehicles with all types of modern aftertreatment systems and high performance passenger car and light duty van gasoline and DI diesel engines designed to be capable of using oils with a minimum HTHS viscosity of 3.5 mPa s.
- C4: Stable, stay-in-grade engine oil with low SAPS-level, intended for use as catalyst compatible oil at extended drain intervals in vehicles with all types of modern aftertreatment systems and high performance passenger car and light duty van gasoline and DI diesel engines designed to be capable of using oils with a minimum HTHS viscosity of 3.5 mPa s.
- C5: Stable, stay-in-grade engine oil with mid SAPS-level for further improved fuel economy, intended for use as catalyst compatible oil at extended drain intervals in vehicles with all types of modern aftermarket systems and high performance passenger car and light duty van gasoline and DI diesel engines designed to be capable and OEM-approved for use of low viscosity oils with a minimum HTHS viscosity of 2.6 mPa s.
