Liqui Moly Leichtlauf Performance 5W-30

Worth knowing

This oil’s data-sheet twin at Liqui Moly has a different name: Optimal New Generation 5W-30. Both entries list the same ACEA C3 and API SP classes, the same recommendation for C2 and the same MB 229.31 compliance claimed without approval, as well as identical figures: 11.8 mm²/s at 100 °C, viscosity index 165, base number 8 mg KOH/g, Noack 12 % and pour point of -36 °C.

The data sheet lists class C2 separately from C3 and SP, in the line of specifications for which the oil maker recommends the oil. The HTHS figure is consistent with this: “at least 3.5 mPa·s” matches the lower limit of C3 and exceeds the 2.9 mPa·s that ACEA requires for C2. Leichtlauf Performance 5W-40 from the same line has the same set of C3, SP and MB 229.31, the same base number and ash, but no recommendation for C2, and its viscosity at 100 °C is higher: 14.3 mm²/s against 11.8. The article on the 5W-30 viscosity designation explains what the second number in the SAE grade shows and why a higher number means a thicker oil in a warm engine.