ACEA Oil Sequences vs. Engine Coolant & Antifreeze
Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 12 key differences identified.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) Oil Sequences establish stringent oil performance specifications tailored to European driving conditions and exhaust aftertreatment devices. Dividing into A/B Sequences (High-SAPS for older passenger cars without particulate filters) and C Sequences (C2, C3, C5, C6 Low/Mid-SAPS for DPF diesel and GPF gasoline particulate filters).
Automotive Engine Coolant (standardized under ASTM D3306 and SAE J1034) consists of an ethylene glycol (or propylene glycol) base mixed 50/50 with demineralized water and specialized corrosion inhibitor additive packages. Dividing into classical IAT (Inorganic Acid), modern OAT (Organic Acid Technology / Long Life), and HOAT (Hybrid OAT with silicates/phosphates).
Specification Comparison Table
12 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Standardization
|
ACEA Oil Sequences (A/B for standard engines, C for catalyst-compatible, E for heavy-duty commercial diesel) | — |
|
SAPS Definition
|
Sulfated Ash, Phosphorus, and Sulfur additives (ZDP anti-wear agents and metallic detergents) | — |
|
ACEA A3/B4 (High SAPS)
|
High performance/stay-in-grade stable oil for high-revving European engines; HTHS ≥ 3.5 mPa·s (BMW LL-01, MB 229.5, VW 502.00) | — |
|
ACEA A5/B5 (High SAPS, Low Friction)
|
Low-viscosity fuel economy oil with HTHS 2.9 to 3.5 mPa·s (Ford WSS-M2C913-D, Volvo) | — |
|
ACEA C3 (Mid SAPS, High HTHS)
|
The European DPF/GPF gold standard: HTHS ≥ 3.5 mPa·s, Sulfated Ash ≤ 0.8% (BMW LL-04, MB 229.51/229.52, VW 504.00/507.00, Porsche C30) | — |
|
ACEA C5 & C6 (Low SAPS, Low HTHS)
|
Ultra-low viscosity (0W-20) for modern fuel economy: HTHS 2.6 to 2.9 mPa·s with LSPI protection (BMW LL-17 FE+, VW 508.00/509.00) | — |
|
Base Liquid Mixture
|
— | 50/50 mix of Ethylene Glycol and pure demineralized water (Freeze point: -37°C / -34°F; Boil point: 108°C / 226°F at 1 atm, 129°C / 265°F under 15 psi cap) |
|
IAT (Inorganic Acid Technology — Green)
|
— | Silicate and phosphate inhibitors (2-year / 30,000-mile service life; standard on pre-2000 vehicles with cast-iron blocks and copper radiators) |
|
OAT (Organic Acid Technology — Orange/Pink)
|
— | Carboxylate-based inhibitors (5-year / 150,000-mile long-life; GM Dex-Cool, VW G12/G12+, Toyota Super Long Life, Ford Orange) |
|
Si-OAT / HOAT (Hybrid OAT — Violet/Blue/Yellow)
|
— | Combines organic acids with low-depletion silicates or phosphates (VW G13/G12evo, Mercedes MB 325.5, BMW Blue/Magenta, Asian P-HOAT) |
|
Asian P-HOAT (Phosphated HOAT — Pink/Blue)
|
— | Uses phosphates instead of silicates (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, Hyundai/Kia strictly forbid silicates due to water pump seal erosion) |
|
European Si-HOAT (Silicated HOAT)
|
— | Uses silicates instead of phosphates (European water has high calcium hardness; phosphates create calcium phosphate scale deposits) |