How Many Types of Motor Oil Certification Standards Are There?
2 Answers
There are three types of motor oil certification standards: 1. API: API is the abbreviation for the American Petroleum Institute. Established in 1919, API was the first national-level commercial association in the United States and one of the earliest and most successful standard-setting chambers of commerce worldwide. 2. ACEA: The full name is Association des Constructeurs Européens, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. It is the certification standard for automotive lubricants set by the European automotive manufacturing industry. Technically, it is more stringent than the well-known American API standard, making the ACEA standard a valuable reference for car owners when selecting motor oil. The ACEA classification system has been in effect since January 1996, replacing the CCMC classification system. 3. ILSAC: The International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) was established in the early 1990s, jointly initiated by the American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA). In October 1990, ILSAC issued the GF-1 test specification for gasoline engine oils.
When I first bought a car, I was also confused about oil certifications. Later, I asked at a repair shop and found there are several mainstream standards. First is the American API standard, like SP grade, which many Japanese and American cars use. Then there's ILSAC's GF-6, which focuses more on energy efficiency and environmental protection. In Europe, there's the ACEA standard, such as A5/B5 for German cars. Some manufacturers also have their own certifications, like special specifications for BMW or Mercedes. These certifications are quite important because using the wrong oil can affect engine lifespan or fuel consumption. When choosing oil, I always check which standard the manual recommends and compare prices, feeling that it's best not to go for the cheapest option.
