ACEA Oil Sequences vs. ILSAC Standards
Comparing 2 standards across 11 specifications. 11 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).
ILSAC GF-6 (developed by the International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee of Japanese and American automakers) defines fuel economy, timing chain wear reduction, and engine durability standards. Splitting into GF-6A (backward-compatible for 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30) and GF-6B (dedicated to ultra-low viscosity 0W-16 oils).
Specification Comparison Table
11 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Standardization
|
ACEA Oil Sequences (A/B for standard engines, C for catalyst-compatible, E for heavy-duty commercial diesel) | ILSAC GF-6A / ILSAC GF-6B (Mandated May 2020) |
|
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) | — |
|
ILSAC GF-6A (Starburst Symbol)
|
— | Backward compatible with older GF-5 and GF-4 specifications for SAE 0W-20, 5W-20, 0W-30, 5W-30, 10W-30 |
|
ILSAC GF-6B (Shield Symbol)
|
— | Exclusively for SAE 0W-16 viscosity oils (NOT backward compatible with engines requiring GF-6A / GF-5) |
|
Timing Chain Wear Test (Sequence X)
|
— | A mandatory ASTM test that limits acceptable timing chain elongation over an extended multi-day cyclic engine run (specific pass/fail thresholds are set by the ASTM Sequence X test procedure, not reproduced here in full) |
|
Piston Deposit & Cleanliness (Sequence IIIH)
|
— | A high-temperature ASTM oxidation/deposit test that runs the oil under sustained elevated temperature to evaluate resistance to ring sticking and varnish formation (exact duration/temperature are set by the ASTM Sequence IIIH test procedure) |
|
Automaker Backing
|
— | Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (Ford, GM, Stellantis) and Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (Toyota, Honda, Nissan) |