This Technical Information Bulletin is a supplement
concerning oil quality to TI-C-34, group J-178, dated May 1991
Subject:
New Quality Designations for Engine Oils According to ACEA
Vehicles:
All except Frontera, Monterey, Campo, Midi
Oil is an important design element for the function and
durability of engines and must therefore be matched precisely to the engine's
technical quality standard.
There have been new classifications (quality requirements)
for engine oils since the 1 st of January 1996: the ACEA specifications
have replaced the previous CCMC specifications. ACEA specifies stricter
parameters and stricter engine tests for engine lubricants.
Specifications on the Frontera, Monterey, Campo and Midi will
be provided at a later date.
Engine oils are often categorised according to their
viscosity classes, whereas information about their quality is more relevant.
The quality or performance designation of an engine oil is
defined by ACEA 96, e. g.: ACEA A2 - 96 or ACEA B3 -
96. A differentiation must be made between the performance classes and the
viscosity classes.
Performance Classes
Since the late 1940s, there have been the MIL
specifications from the US army and the API classifications from the
American Petroleum Institute. The problem for Europe is that these tests are
run on American engines, with greater cubic capacities and lower compression
ratios than usually experienced here, and generally in the conditions that are
normal for American standards.
Since the early 1970s, increasing attempts have been made to
develop European tests for European engines with their different design
features and higher specific outputs. At the forefront of this was CCMC,
promoted by many European passenger and commercial vehicle manufacturers (but
not GM and Ford). The European test and checking conditions were derived from
the API classifications, but had stricter parameters for the European market,
the requirements were more stringent and included European engine tests.
The "European Association of Automobile
Manufacturers" (CCMC, Comité des Constructeurs d'
Automobiles du Marché Commun), was dissolved in 1990, and was
succeeded by the ACEA.
ACEA means "Association des Constructeurs
Européens de l' Automobile". This abbreviation stands for
the newly founded association of European automobile manufacturers, including
the European subsidiaries of General Motors and Ford.
Taking effect on the 1 st January of 1996, the ACEA has new
classifications for engine oils.
These are divided into three groups:
A for passenger car petrol engines
B for passenger car diesel engines and
E for goods vehicle diesel engines
In each of these groups there are three quality classes:
1 for special requirements
2 for standard requirements and
3 for maximum quality criteria and requirements.
The following ACEA - 96 quality classes are used
in Opel / Vauxhall Service (see table):
Engine Oil Quality: Comparison of previous
quality with ACEA and oil change intervals (Model Year '94 up to and including
Model Year '97)
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Required
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Not required but
possible
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Change
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Engines
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Previous
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NEW: ACEA96
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Previous
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NEW: ACEA96
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intervals
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Single - grade
and multi - grade oils or high performance oils
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High performance oils
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Petrol
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API -
SG / CD
API -
SH / CD
CCMC -
G4
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A 2 -
96
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CCMC -
G5
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A3 -
96
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every
12 months / 15, 000 km / 10, 000 miles
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Diesel
Up to and including MY '94:
15D (4 EC 1),
17D (4 EE 1) and
17DR
Up to and including MY '95:
X 17DT (TC 4 EE 1)
Up to engine no. 068740:
Xl5DT(T4EC1)
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API
- CD /
SG
API
- CD /
SH
CCMC
-
PD2
|
B 2 -
96
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CCMC
-
G5
/ PD2
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B3 -
96
A3 -
96 / B3 - 96
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very
12 months / 7,500 km / 5,000 miles
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|
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Diesel as of MY 1995
15D (4EC1), 17D / Xl7D (4EE1),
17DR and X l7DTL
As of Model Year '96:
Xl7DT(TC4EE1)
As of engine no. 068741:
X l5DT (T4EC1)
As of Model Year '97
X 2ODTL
|
CCMC
-
G5
/ PD2
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B 3 -
96*
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CCMC
-
G5
/ PD2
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A3 -
96 / B3 - 96*
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every
12 months / 15, 000 km / 10, 000 miles
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|
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Diesel
25DT / X 25DT
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CCMC -
G5 / PD2
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A3 -
96 / B3 - 96
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every
12 months / 7.500 km / 5,000 miles
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Engine Oil Quality: Model Year '83 up to and including Model
Year '94
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Required
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Not
reauired but possible
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Enginesn
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Previous
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NEW:
ACEA 96
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Previous
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NEW:
ACEA 96
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Single -
grade and multi - grade oils
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High
performance oils
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Petrol
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API -
SG / CD
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A 2 -
96
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CCMC -
G5
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A3 -
96
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API -
SH / CD
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CCMC -
G4
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Diesel
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API -
CD / SG
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B 2 -
96
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CCMC -
G5 / PD2
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B3 -
93
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API -
CD / SH
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A3 -
96 / B3 - 96
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CCMC -
PD2
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The number "96" means that the regulations are
valid and binding as of 01.01.1996. The test conditions are scheduled for
verification every two years.
The A3 - 96 oil for petrol engines or B3 - 96
oil for diesel engines, which are higher quality than prescribed, can always be
used.
Engine oils which are expressly designated by the oil
manufacturer as diesel engine oils are not suitable for petrol engines unless
an adequate performance class for petrol engines (ACEA A2 - 96 or
ACEA A3 - 96) is also indicated.
Oils with the classifications A1 and B1 are at present not
released by Opel for Service.
* Diesel engine oils: Use only ACEA A3 -
96 / B3 - 96 or ACEA B3 - 96 quality. Only the OW - X,
5 W - X and 10 W - X viscosity classes are permitted. The "X"
stands for 30 or greater than 30.
Viscosity according to SAE classification:
The SAE classes for viscosity retain their validity
along with the ACEA performance classification.
Viscosity
The viscosity is the most familiar variable for engine oils
and transmission fluids. Viscosity is the ability of a fluid to resist flow.
Viscosity is a temperature - dependent variable. Cold oil is more
viscous than warm oil, i. e. thin - bodied oil has low viscosity,
semi - fluid oil has high viscosity. The lubricating characteristics of an
oil film are however generally better at high viscosity than at low viscosity,
although it is also dependent on the quality of the base oils used (e. g.
mineral / synthetic).
The amount that the viscosity changes at changing
temperatures differs from oil to oil. In practise, engine oils whose viscosity
is altered as little as possible by temperature changes are most suitable. This
allows both cold engine starts and adequate lubrication by the oil film at high
temperatures.
The viscosity of oil alters not only at different
temperatures, but also depending on the pressure exerted on the
lubrication film.
The viscosity of multi - grade oils is influences not
only by the temperature and pressure, but also by the
The shear rate is the speed on a moving part (oil film on
piston) divided by the thickness of the oil film.
This gives a shear rate for combustion engines in the
area of the main bearings, pistons and cylinder barrel.
For the A2 - 96 / B2 - 96 and A3 -
96 / B3 - 96 classes, ACEA has defined a limit of
>3.5 mPa · s for
dynamic viscosity at high shear rates and high temperatures. This ensures that
multi - grade engine oils provide the required lubrication even at high
temperatures and high shear rates (high engine speeds).
The viscosity of engine oils and passenger car transmission
fluids is given in SAE classes.
SAE Classes
The American "Society of Automotive Engineers" -
SAE - has introduced world - wide viscosity classifications.
The SAE classes for lubricating oils make no indication about
the quality of the engine oil, but merely indicate the temperature range in
which the engine oils can be used.
Products with the code "W" (W = Winter)
are thin - bodied and therefore enable cold starts even at low
temperatures. The lower the number, the better the cold performance is, e. g. 5
W - X or 0 W - X.
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Engine oil viscosity depending on the
ambient temperature for petrol and
diesel engines
The previous categories are retained until the ACEA
standards have made the transition to all areas.
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A = Single - grade oil B = Multi -
grade oils C = High performance oils
Important: Not to be confused with the ACEA classification.
ACEA A1 - 96, ACEA B1 - 96,
ACEA A3 - 96 and ACEA B3 - 96 may be easy run oils
(OW - X, 5W - X, 10W - X). X = 30, 40 Oils below
ACEA A1 - 96 and ACEA B1 - 96 are at present not released
by Opel for Service.
Single - grade Oils (A)
are oils which only comply with one SAE class (e. g.
SAE 30). The use of single - grade oils should be avoided in
present day engines if possible.
Multi - grade Oils (B)
The dependence of viscosity on temperature can be
considerably influenced by the use of special base oils and additives. The
result is a multi - grade oil which adapts itself automatically to the
changing engine temperature and thus spans several SAE classes. If an engine
oil meets the viscosity requirements of several SAE classes, it is designated a
multi - grade oil. Multi - grade oils can be used in all seasons of
the year.
High Performance Oils (C), previously Easy Run Oils
are lubricating oils utilising the latest findings in
friction reduction. They use multi - grade characteristics, low cold
viscosity and (at times) friction - reducing additives to
provide low - friction and therefore fuel - saving engine
operation (generally engine oils based on unconventional base oils such as
fully or partially synthetic oils, hydrocrack, raffinate).
API Classifications
The American Petroleum Institute (API) categorises engines as
follows:
C classes = (C = Commercial) oils of diesel engines S
classes = (S = Service) oils for petrol engines
The different engine oil qualities within the C and S classes
are identified by different letters.
The API classes have lost their significance on the
European market. The APEA classifications are primarily used as of the
1 st of January 1996.
CCMC Specifications (valid up to 31.12.1995)
The CCMC specifications paid special consideration to
European engine technology and therefore received increased attention in
Europe. The CCMC categorised engine oils as follows:
· CCMC - G4
and CCMC - G5 for petrol engines (G = Gasoline)
G4: This defines increased oxidation stability,
prevention of sludge formation in petrol engines and increased protection
against wear. G5: Stricter testing requirements. The requirements for oxidation
stability and sludge prevention capacity are even higher than those for the
CCMC - G4.
· CCMC -
PD2 for passenger car diesel engines. Designed specially for the requirements
of small, high - revving passenger car diesel engines (PD = Passenger
Diesel)
The CCMC performance classifications for engine oils are
higher than those for previously used specifications due to higher limits for
wear and piston cleanliness.
· CCMC - D4
and CCMC - D5 for commercial diesel engines (D = Diesel)
Comparison of New Performance Classes ACEA / CCMC
ACEA A2 - 96 replaces and meets higher
requirements than CCMC G4
ACEA A3 - 96 replaces and meets higher
requirements than CCMC G5
ACEA B2 - 96 replaces and meets higher
requirements than CCMC PD2
ACEA B3 - 96 new performance class with
higher requirements, approx. CCMC G5 / PD2
ACEA E2 - 96 replaces and meets higher
requirements than CCMC D5
ACEA E3 - 96 new performance class with
higher requirements
Laboratory Requirements for Compliance with ACEA
Laboratory tests which have to be passed by all all
engine oil classes:
· Shear
stability
· High
shear / high temperature viscosity
· Compatibility
with sealing materials
· Evaporation
losses
· Sulphate
ash
· Foaming
behaviour
Special Engine Tests for the Three Engine Oil Classes A, B
and E
The new standards contain numerous individual criteria
(engine tests), such as for
Passenger car petrol engines
· Oil
thickening, cam wear, sludge and lacquer deposits
· Valve
train wear and black sludge during temperature changes
· Scuffing
to valve train (with camshaft checked beforehand), high temperature piston
cleanliness and ring sticking
· Black
sludge formation in high load and load changing operation
· Fuel
consumption
Passenger car diesel engines
· Oil
consumption
· Sludge
formation
· Piston
cleanliness under maximum thermal stress
· Viscosity
increase of lubricant
· Wear
Commercial vehicles diesel engines
· Sludge
formation
· Mirror
surface formation
· Oil
consumption
· Cylinder
wear
· Piston
cleanliness
· Soot
dispersion
Quality Examination to Comply with
ACEA Classification
To fulfil the ACEA standard, all test conditions specified by
the EELQMS (European Engine Lubricants Quality Management
System) must be passed. The tests are extremely comprehensive and may
only be performed by registered institutions. The mineral oil and additive
industry has obliged itself to undergo this testing.
New tests are required when the composition of an engine oil
is altered.
Literature
The ACEA specifications have already been considered in the
new "Model Year 19941 / 2 up to '97" Inspection Systsm brochure.
As a simplification and to ease matters during the period of transition, we
have listed both quality categories for the transiti'ynal period in which
containers with the old labels are still on the market.
The ACEA standards will be gradually introduced to revisions
of the Owner's Manuals and Service Instructions.
Service Container
The lubricant industry is at present modifying its product
range to meet the new standards. This means not only a change to the labels on
containers, but also requires much testing and the composition of some products
will have to be changed.
Opel Service Engine Oils
SAE 10W 40 Partially Synthetic
API: SH / CF / EC CCMC:
G5 / PD2 ACEA: A3 - 96 / B3 -
96
|
Catalogue no.
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Part no.
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Delivery quantity
|
|
1942168
|
90398807
|
1 Itr.
|
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1942171
|
90398810
|
60 Itr.
|
|
1942172
|
90398811
|
205 Itr.
|
|
1942180
|
90444078
|
Tanker
|
Opel Service Engine Oils
SAE 15W 40 Mineral Oil
API: SH / CF CCMC: G4 /
D4 / PD2 ACEA: A2 - 96 / B2 - 96
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Catalogue no.
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Part no.
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Delivery quantity
|
|
1942173
|
90398812
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1 Itr.
|
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1942174
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90398813
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2 Itr.
|
|
1942175
|
90398814
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5 Itr.
|
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1942176
|
90398815
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60 Itr.
|
|
1942177
|
90398816
|
205 Itr.
|
|
1942178
|
90399168
|
Tanker
|
