Decoding ACEA

Section ACEA classification, article 2 of 5166 words, 1 minute

So what do the numbers and letters in the ACEA classes mean?

In this section: 5 articles
  1. ACEA - 2004
  2. Decoding ACEA
  3. The history of ACEA
  4. CCMC Classification
  5. ACEA members

In the latest ACEA revision (2004), automotive oils are split into three categories: A/B — engine oils for petrol and diesel engines. This category absorbed all the previously developed A and B classes (before 2004, A was for petrol engines, B for diesel). Today there are four classes in this category: A1/B1-04, A3/B3-04, A3/B4-04, A5/B5-04.C — a new class — engine oils for diesel and petrol engines that meet the latest, tightened Euro-4 exhaust emissions requirements (as revised in 2005). These engine oils are compatible with catalytic converters and particulate filters. In fact, it was precisely these changes to European environmental requirements that drove the overhaul of the ACEA classification. Today there are three classes in this new category: C1-04, C2-04, C3-04.E — engine oils for heavily loaded diesel engines in heavy-duty vehicles. This category has existed since the classification was first introduced (from 1995). In 2004, cosmetic changes were made, adding 2 new classes, E6 and E7, while two other, outdated classes were dropped.