What oil approvals are

Why manufacturers issue approvals, and how an engine's design determines what it needs from the oil.

7 articles in the section, about 20 minutes of reading in total

  1. What are oil approvals? A carmaker’s approval as a separate oil quality standard: how it is obtained, how it differs from a “meets the requirements” note and why it is not a rating. 555 words, 4 min
  2. It all starts with marketing… Where carmakers’ oil approvals come from: fierce competition on the new-car market pushes each brand to position its engines as fast, economical or powerful. 147 words, 1 min
  3. Engine Design and Engine Oil Why the same engine oil suits one engine and harms another: the materials of the parts, additive chemistry, oil film thickness and clearances. 225 words, 2 min
  4. Approvals: an important parameter Why a certified carmaker’s approval is an oil’s most important parameter, how it is obtained and where to find approvals for VAG, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Opel. 220 words, 2 min
  5. In Brief: About Oil Approvals Many carmakers have their own engine oil standards, so the manufacturer’s approval is the first thing to consider; a note with a list of the site’s topics. 129 words, 1 min
  6. In brief: on the compatibility of engines and oils Why modern low-viscosity and Longlife oils are barred for engines built before 2001, and why 0W-20, 0W-16 and 0W-8 do not suit even many 2010s cars. 104 words, 1 min
  7. New Mercedes, VW and BMW approvals: what has changed? What came after MB 229.51, VW 507 00 and BMW Longlife-04, why a newer approval does not suit an older engine, and where to check your oil. 1 575 words, 9 min new article

Other subsections

Oils with the Renault RN0700 approval

All 110 oils with the Renault RN0700 approval