Specifications, it is useful to know
Manufacturers of car oils test their products in various international and national quality institutions, the most highly acknowledged ones of which are API (American Petroleum Institute) and ACEA (Association des Constructeurs Europeens d’Automobiles).
API classification of engine oils
API classification determines quality of oil by carrying out experiments with it in engines. Wear and cleanliness of cylinder walls, piston-rings, bearings and gas distribution mechanism, formation of burns-on and deposits, damages of surface and increase of acidity of the oil may be analyzed during them. This classification divides engine oils into two groups marked with two letters: S-oils for petrol engines and C-oils for diesel engines. The additional second letter (e.g. SJ, SL or CG, CH) specifies the qualitative class. The higher the class, the further alphabetic letter marks it. E.g. oil of class SL is characterized by better exploitation characteristics than oil of class SJ. Universal oils are marked with general symbols, e.g. SL/CF.
For petrol engines:
Specifications from SA to SH (inclusive) are not used anymore.
SJ – came into force since 1996; test requirements are the same as requirements for SH; however, it is more resistant to evapouration and contains less phosphorus;
SL – enacted in 2001; test requirements are the same as requirements for SJ; however, requirements for oil consumption and formation of burns-on are stricter; some oils save fuel;
SM – came into force in 2004; these oils are more resistant to increase of acidity and formation of burns-on, protect from wear better, ensure easy start-up in low temperature during all use time thereof; some oils save fuel.
A higher-quality oil than specified by the manufacturer may be used for petrol engines.
For diesel engines:
Specifications from CA to CE (inclusive) are not valid anymore.
CF-4 - from 1990; replaces CE; lower oil consumption and cleaner cylinders;
CF-2 – from 1994; for two-stroke diesel engines;
СF – from 1994; replaces CD; for engines which use fuel with high sulphur content;
CG-4 – from 1994; replaces CD, CE, and CF-4; for diesel engines, higher pollution requirements are applied to which;
CH-4 – from 1998; for diesel engines, even higher pollution requirements are applied to which;
CI-4 – introduced in 2002; for diesel engines, very strict pollution requirements are applied to which; especially suitable for engines which use an additional exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system;
CI-4 PLUS – introduced in 2004; exceeds requirements for CI-4 oil;
CJ-4 – came into force in 2006; recommended to use for the newest highly loaded low-pollution diesel engines which use low-sulphur-content fuel compatible both with diesel particulate filters (DPF) and EGR.
A higher-quality oil than recommended by the manufacturer may be used for all diesel engines because a higher-quality oil guarantees better protection of engine elements. When choosing oil for two-stroke engines, the manufacturer’s recommendations must be taken into account.
API classification of oils for gearboxes and main gears
Marked with letters GL and a number which indicates recommendations for use.
GL-1 – oil is designed for gearboxes which operate at low sliding speeds. Additives increase resistance to oxidation, protection from corrosion, freezing point.
GL-4 – oil is designed for gearboxes and main hypoid gears which operate at high rotation speeds and low torques.
GL-5 – oil is designed for gearboxes and main hypoid gears which operate at high rotation speeds with impact loads and low torque or at low speeds and high torque.
Only GL-class recommended by the manufacturers must be used. E.g. if GL-5 oil is used instead of the recommended GL-4, operation of synchronizers will be disturbed (slowed down). API-class oils are not suitable for automatic gear boxes. Recommendations of the manufacturers of automatic gearboxes must be taken into account.
ACEA classification of engine oils
ACEA qualitative classification has been used since 1996 and the most recent edition thereof (year 2008) divides engine oils into three groups marked with a combination of letters: A.../B... – oils for petrol and diesel engines of cars, C... – oils for petrol and diesel engines of cars with specific gas removal systems, E... – oils for heavy commercial transport. Each of these groups is divided into qualitative levels. E.g. A1/B1, A3/B3, C2, B3 or E4, E7. It is noteworthy that oils for cars marked with the combination A.../B... or C... are universal and suitable both to petrol and diesel engines; besides, a higher number does not always indicate higher oil quality in ACEA classification.
For cars with petrol or diesel engines:
A1/B1- easy-motion oil which saves fuel;
A2/B2 – not used anymore;
A3/B3 - characterized by higher resistance to oxidation and film durability;
A3/B4 – characterized by higher resistance to oxidation and film durability; for modern diesel engines with direct fuel injection;
A5/B5 - easy-motion oil which saves fuel and is characterized by higher resistance to oxidation and film durability.
Oils for cars with low-pollution petrol or diesel engines with specific gas removal systems (DPF and TWC); therefore, sulphur, ash and phosphorus content thereof is limited:
C1 - easy-motion oil which saves fuel and chemical content of which is more strictly limited;
C2 – easy-motion oil which saves fuel;
C3 - characterized by higher film durability;
C4 – characterized by higher film durability; content is more strictly limited.
For commercial cars (heavy transport):
E1, E2, E3, E5 – not used anymore.
E4 – durable oil which ensures the longest intervals of change (~90.000-150.000 km); not suitable for DPF systems;
E6 - durable oil which ensures the longest intervals of change (~90.000-150.000 km) with strictly limited chemical content; compatible with DPF, EGR and other gas removal systems and low-sulphur-content fuel;
E7 – durable oil which ensures long intervals of change; not suitable for DPF systems;
E9 - durable oil which ensures long intervals of change with strictly limited chemical content; compatible with DPF, EGR and other gas removal systems and low-sulphur-content fuel.
There are no united quality and viscosity classifications for hydraulic oils. Practically, each manufacturer of hydraulic systems sets special requirements for oils. The most widely used standards are DIN and ISO.
DIN 51524 classification of hydraulic oils
The following are used the most often:
DIN 51524 HVLP – oils containing additives which protect from corrosion, oxidation and wear as well as additives which increase viscosity index (VI > 140, pressure > 100 bar). Universal application; however, the biggest advantage is obtained when using these oils in external hydraulic systems.
DIN 51524 HLP – oils containing additives which protect from corrosion, oxidation and wear (VI > 80-100, pressure > 100 bar). Universal application; however, it is recommended to use them in internal hydraulic systems.
DIN 51524 HL – oils containing additives which protect from corrosion and oxidation (VI > 80-100, pressure < 100 bar). It is recommended to use them in internal low-pressure hydraulic systems.
ISO 6743 – 4 classification of hydraulic oils
| ISO – L – HH ISO – L – HL ISO – L – HM ISO – L – HR ISO – L – HV ISO – L – HG ISO – L – HS | Mineral oils without corrosion inhibitors HH oils with anti-oxidation and anti-corrosion additives HL oils with wear-reducing additives HL oils with high viscosity index HM oils with high viscosity index HM oils with impact-softening characteristics Synthetic fluids |
ISO 6743 – 4 classification of flameproof hydraulic fluids
| ISO – L – HFAE ISO – L – HFAS ISO – L – HFB ISO – L – HFC ISO – L – HFDR ISO – L – HFDS ISO – L – HFDT ISO – L – HFDU | Emulsion oil-in-water |
ISO 6743 – 4 classification of biodegradable hydraulic fluids
| ISO – L – HETG ISO – L – HEES ISO – L – HEPG | Triglycerides (vegetable oils) |
DIN 51506 classification of oils for piston air compressors
The following are used the most often:
DIN 51506 VDL – oils containing additives which protect from corrosion and oxidation; air compression temperature – up to 220ºC. Recommended for compressors with two-stage air compression.
DIN 51506 VCL – oils containing additives which protect from corrosion and oxidation; air compression temperature – up to 160ºC.
DIN 51506 VBL – oils containing additives which protect from corrosion and oxidation; air compression temperature – up to 140ºC.
DIN 51515 classification of oils for turbines
The following are used the most often:
DIN 51515-2 L-TG – oils recommended to use in higher temperature than usually.
DIN 51515-1 L-TD – oils recommended to use in the usual temperature range.
DIN 51517 classification of oils for reducers
The following are used the most often:
DIN 51517 CGLP – oils containing additives which protect from corrosion, oxidation and wear at the mixed friction spots as well as additives which improve characteristics of sliding of surfaces.
DIN 51517-3 CLP – oils containing additives which protect from corrosion, oxidation and wear in the mixed friction zone.
DIN 51517-2 CL – oils containing additives which protect from corrosion and oxidation; suitable for average load conditions.
DIN 51503 classification of oils for refrigeration compressors
The following are used the most often:
DIN 51503 KA – oils suitable for refrigeration systems with ammonia.
DIN 51503 KC – oils suitable for refrigeration systems with chlorated freons.
DIN 51825 classification of plastic greases
The following are used the most often:
DIN 51825 K – grease made of high-viscosity mineral and / or synthetic oil with a thickener.
DIN 51825 KP – K grease with additional additives which reduce friction and protect from wear in the mixed friction zone.
DIN 51825 KF – K grease with additional solid additives (graphite, molybdenum disulphide).
DIN 51825 KPF – K grease with additional additives which reduce friction and protect from wear in the mixed friction zone as well as additional solid additives (graphite, molybdenum disulphide).
