Can JASO MA2 Standard Be Used for Scooters?

What is the JASO Standard?

• JASO is an abbreviation for Japanese Automotive Standards Organization.
• This organization has developed its own standards regarding quality specifications and application scope for Japanese gasoline and diesel engines.
• Since 1994, JASO has developed new standards for lubricating oil to maximize performance features that meet the increasingly high power demands and requirements of modern engines. These new standards are considered replacements for and supplements to older standards, which were only suitable for two-stroke motorcycle oil classifications. With this new standard system, JASO has developed additional requirements so that lubricating oils with superior performance and lubrication capabilities can safely protect four-stroke engines, which share characteristics similar to automotive engines.
• For four-stroke gasoline engines, JASO is classified into three main categories: JASO MA, JASO MA2, and JASO MB.
• Two-stroke engines are classified separately: FA, FB, and FC.

This means JASO MA2 can be substituted for JASO MB. This is because it includes anti-slip clutch additives without causing engine damage.

However, JASO MB is not a substitute for JASO MA2. This is because fuel-saving additives can cause clutch slippage or serious wear.

From a marketing perspective, leading global petroleum brands and corporations such as REPSOL and AMSOIL have used the JASO MA2 standard for scooter products, which has been proven both in laboratory and real-world testing. Typically, JASO MB is more expensive than JASO MA2, and the oil has a lower grade when compared according to API and SAE standards.