What oil approvals are
Why manufacturers issue approvals, and how an engine's design determines what it needs from the oil.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Approved, meets, recommended: how do you check an oil approval? Who stands behind each line on the can — an approval, “meets the requirements”, API marks, ACEA and JASO classes — and where to check that the oil really has it.