Engine Oil Specs: Part Two

Yesterday we outlined some of the main organizations that are responsible for ensuring that our motor oil is adequate. Now we are going to take a closer look at how these organizations work and what they actually tell us. The ACEA, Europe’s oil association, creates baseline specifications, meaning that many manufacturers add their own criteria to ensure that their products are meeting all of their consumers’ needs.

In the US, all of the meetings of the ASTM are open to the public, and the various companies vote to determine what the test limits are going to be. According to some experts, the complex system employed in the US creates a lower standard for passable oil. In Europe, several classes of oil are created, whereas in the US, a minimum standard is set. When you buy your motor oil, each company will have different grades of oil, Evinrude XD 100, for example, is a premium blend.