What is ACEA? How does ACEA classify engine oils?

Many vehicle owners remain uncertain about selecting the appropriate motor oil for their vehicles or what standards to consider when making the right choice. The answer lies in the ACEA standard – a set of standards issued by the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers. All matters related to ACEA standards, particularly the classification grades and selection of suitable motor oils for different engine types, will be addressed in the article below.

Related Articles:

• 4 Types of Motor Oil Every Car Owner Should Know
• Guide to DIY Engine Oil Changes

Many Vehicle Owners Are Unfamiliar with ACEA Standards

1. What is the ACEA Standard?

The Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA) is one of the organizations that issues standards to classify motor oil quality, similar to API. The ACEA standard is used to evaluate the quality of motor oils, particularly automotive motor oils for diesel and gasoline engines with very strict emission regulations.

The ACEA standard provides detailed classification of motor oil performance, specifically:

• Standard A is compatible with gasoline engines
• Standard B is compatible with diesel engines
• Standard C is compatible with engines using catalysts (which reduce toxic fumes in emissions)
• Standard E is compatible with heavy-duty diesel engines

ACEA is a standard for gasoline and diesel engine motor oils

2. Classification of Engine Motor Oil According to ACEA Standards

This classification standard was first released in 1996 and has undergone multiple revisions, with the latest update being the 2008 ACEA standard, which has been in effect since December 2010. Amsoil lubricant is a brand that achieved ACEA standard early. The ACEA standard is also classified based on various engine types.

There are 4 standards within ACEA for gasoline engines currently in use, including:

• Standard A1: Fuel economy
• Standard A3: High performance
• Standard A4: For direct injection gasoline engines
• Standard A5: Fuel economy and high performance

Amsoil Signature 5w30, Amsoil OE ADVANCED 5w30, and Amsoil XL BOOSTED 5w30 are three representative products that meet ACEA classification grades A1/B1 and A5/B5. Worldwide, particularly in the United States and European markets where emission standards are paramount, this oil line is well-known for