Which oil standard to follow? API or ACEA?

[jut703]

API is an American standard, ACEA is a European standard. Neither is more stringent than the other. In the Philippines, because of our American influence, most oils are referred to by their API standard. However, all oils sold locally have both API and ACEA ratings on their label.

Now, if you wanna get good oil, then just get SN oil. Lower viscosity is not always better, but a higher API rating is. And currently, the high-end synthetics sold in our market are all SN.

Oh, and "diesel-engine" oil is just marketing. You can use Delo for your gasoline engine and Helix for your diesel engine if you like.

Like fuels, a lot of the segmentation in lubes is just marketing. However, it's true that synthetics are more tolerant to a wider range of operating conditions, and that higher API/ACEA ratings mean that the oil has passed a more stringent set of tests from the automative governing bodies. And unlike in fuels where the additives are just about 1% of the total composition, lubes additives are about 20% so different brands do make a more noticeable difference.

[red_one]

The recommendation "Follow your owner's manual." is actually correct as it provides the minimum API or ACEA rating appropriate for your particular engine model. This does not automatically mean that you should stick to the minimum. API ratings are backward compatible. Example: If you have a car that requires API SL, you can also use oil with API SM or SN. If you have a car that requires API SM, you can also use oil with API SN.

API ratings for Gasoline engine

API SN (Current) - Introduced in Nov 2010
API SM (Current) - Introduced in Nov 2004
API SL (Still current but nearly obsolete) - Introduced in 1998
API SJ (Still current but nearly obsolete) - Introduced in 1996
API SH (Obsolete) - For model year 1996 and older engines

API ratings for Diesel engine

API CJ-4 (Current) - Introduced in 2006
API CI-4 (Current) - Introduced in 2002
API CH-4 (Current) - Introduced in 1998
API CG-4 (Current) - Introduced in 1995
API CF-4 (Current) - Introduced in 1990

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The recommendation "Follow your owner's manual." is actually correct as it provides the minimum API or ACEA rating appropriate for your particular engine model. This does not automatically mean that you should stick to the minimum. API ratings are backward compatible. Example: If you have a car that requires API SL, you can also use oil with API SM or SN. If you have a car that requires API SM, you can also use oil with API SN.

API ratings for Gasoline engine

API SN (Current) - Introduced in Nov 2010
API SM (Current) - Introduced in Nov 2004
API SL (Still current but nearly obsolete) - Introduced in 1998
API SJ (Still current but nearly obsolete) - Introduced in 1996
API SH (Obsolete) - For model year 1996 and older engines

API ratings for Diesel engine

API CJ-4 (Current) - Introduced in 2006
API CI-4 (Current) - Introduced in 2002
API CH-4 (Current) - Introduced in 1998
API CG-4 (Current) - Introduced in 1995
API CF-4 (Current) - Introduced in 1990

[fireice2]

The confusion that I encounter is as regards oils that rated as follows:API SN/CF, ACEA C3.

Usual recommendations here is to use CJ-4 rated oils for Diesel engines with DPF, however if we stick to the API rating, the above oil is below par CJ-4 standard but under ACEA it is rated C3 and are safe to use with DPF equipped vehicles. Which is which?