From CEPSA Lubricantes SA

" Upgrade ACEA & API Specifications "

Nothing stays up to meet new requirements from vehicle manufacturers, both the American Petroleum Institute API and the ACEA European Vehicle Manufacturers Association have upgraded existing standards and issued new ones.

Developments in US specifications
For 2011, new AP APs for gasoline engines apply. New specifications are more stringent than previous AP APs and engine oils that are consistent with AP SN have the following benefits:
* Better protection from combustion residues on the piston at higher operating temperatures.
* Greater control of sludge formation
* Better compatibility with new materials used in choppers and rubber seals while maintaining compatibility with existing materials.
* Same level of performance with ILSAC GF-5 with better fuel economy properties.
* Greater lubrication of the turbo, preventing the build up of residues and mud that block the lubrication paths.
* Better compatibility with exhaust emission systems (catalysts).
* Protection during use of ethanol fuel up to E85 (up to 85% ethanol).

Remove API CF specifications
Since December 2010 API CF oil specifications have been abolished and engine oils can no longer be certified with these specifications. The new minimum oil lubricant certification specifications will now be API CH-4.

New CEPSA specifications and engine oils
Almost all CEPSA engine oils are certified to be in compliance with API SN specifications, and the new arrivals of X-tar and Star series engines will bear these specifications. Developments in European Specifications New ACEA 'C'

The introduction of the Euro5 & Euro6 exhaust emission limits gives a significant reduction in exhaust and particulate emissions from the previous limits. To enable vehicle manufacturers to respond to new challenges, they should use technology as available as a combination of DPF and particulate filter (FAP) together with exhaust gas treatment and recycling systems, generalization of use turbochargers and engine operation at even higher operating temperatures and the use of even greater pressures in fuel injection systems.
In order for engines to operate reliably, upgraded engine oils are required which will withstand higher temperatures without losing their lubrication and oxidation resistance but at the same time they must be compatible with the exhaust gas treatment systems used . In particular, the engine oils to be used in new engines should be 'Low SAPS', ie their composition should have very low levels of sulfur, phosphorus and sulfur.

ACEA C1-C4 Specifications
These requirements have been categorized in the new category of specifications for diesel vehicles, ACEA 'C'.
ACEA C1: Low SAPS engine oils (with a concentration equal to or less than 0.5%) for engines with atylic and triodic catalysts. Low friction and fluidity, with HTHS (high temperature oil shear) equal to or greater than 2.9mPa.
ACEA C2: Low SAPS engine oils (with a concentration equal to or less than 0.8%) for engines with atylic and trap catalysed traps. Low friction and fluidity, with HTHS (high temperature oil shear) equal to or greater than 2.9mPa.
ACEA C3: Low SAPS engine oils (with a concentration equal to or less than 0.8%) for engines with atylic and trap catalysed traps. Low friction and fluidity, with HTHS (high temperature oil shear) equal to or greater than 3.5mPa.
ACEA C4: Low SAPS engine oils (with a concentration equal to or less than 0.5%) for engines with atylic and three-way catalysts. Low friction and fluidity, with HTHS (high temperature oil shear) equal to or greater than 3.5mPa.

The new specifications and CEPSA
CEPSA has identified the engines with the new specification class as follows:

ACEA C1-10: CEPSA XTAR Eco Tech CRTD C1 5w-30 for Ford, Jaguar, Land-Rover and Mazda vehicles.

ACEA C2-10: CEPSA XTAR ECO TECH 5w-30 DPF for Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat, Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Nissan and Subaru vehicles.

CEPSA Xtar Eco Tech HDI C2 5w-30

C3-10 ACEA: CEPSA XTAR MEGA TECH 5w-30 DPF
CEPSA XTAR TDI 5w-30 504 507 for Mercedes vehicles manufacturers, BMW, GM (Chevrolet, Opel ) and VW (Audi, Skoda, Seat and Volkswagen)
CEPSA XTAR TDI 5w- 40 505 01

ACEA C4-10: CEPSA XTAR Mega Tech dCi C4 5W-30 for Renault and Mercedes vehicles with FAP and DPF exhaust systems.

Presentation of the new levels of ACEA A5 / B5

ACEA has also introduced new levels of A5 / B5 specifications for gasoline and petroleum engines that are required to work at higher temperatures. The new level of specifications is for machines designed for low friction and fluidity oils with HTHS from 2.9mPa to 3.5mPa and for big oil changes.

It is obvious that the new technologies applied to the machines produce much more power and are more efficient but have much higher lubrication requirements as the higher operating temperature of the machine tends to break the oil layer (shear) between the inside of the machine therefore, oils that withstand shearing at higher operating temperatures and for longer are required.