- Thread starter Fazerruss
- Start date
A3/B3 and C3 are different
https://www.oilspecifications.org/acea.php
Personally I would just use them depending on how old the car is.
https://www.oilspecifications.org/acea.php
Personally I would just use them depending on how old the car is.
eternal optimist
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They meet different specs - it’s not BS. However, they both meet VW specs 502 and 505. Check to see if there’s any odd spec your engine needs (some of the VAG PD Diesel engines are a bit fussy), but if it’s VW 502 or 505 you should be fine.
pedrobedro
Man at Matalan
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The SN is to a newer specification than the SM, it's up to you to decide if you want to use them.
zzr1200
Working at 650 ft on open steel work.
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In 50 years in working in the motor/plant trades, I've never known the workshop to have several different grades of engine oil for various models of engine. Usually there's a barrel or bulk oil tank that every engine get filled from, I've also never known an engine blow up because of the oil grade, lack of, no oil, or lack of servicing, yes, but not the grade of engine oil.
I've known vehicle owners to supply their own choice of oil for a service, because the workshop cant supply the oil grade spec's.
Generally the workshop orders oil in bulk, from the buying/head office who will buy the best bulk deal available, which can involve an oil manufacturer/supplier changing even possibly the oil grade range/spec slightly.
I've known vehicle owners to supply their own choice of oil for a service, because the workshop cant supply the oil grade spec's.
Generally the workshop orders oil in bulk, from the buying/head office who will buy the best bulk deal available, which can involve an oil manufacturer/supplier changing even possibly the oil grade range/spec slightly.
Shox Dr
Chief Engineer to Carlos Fandango
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Yes the API (American Petroleum Institute) classification is SM, CF for the one one left. And only SM for the right.
The one on the left has more ZDDP.
It would be incorrect to say the right is a better oil
Shox Dr
Chief Engineer to Carlos Fandango
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More than likey because the oil is replaced with the current spec. The vehicles been serviced will also be current. Therefore not requiring [or not understood] older vehicles may require a different rating.
Since the mid 80’s they have been reducing the amount of ZDDP in oil, not sure what is now was as high as 1100ppm.
pedrobedro
Man at Matalan
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But not to say it is to a newer specification, I've not read anywhere saying it is better oil.
Shox Dr
Chief Engineer to Carlos Fandango
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The API classification is dictated by the motor manufacturers they tell the API what oil specs they wany the API classifies it.
In the 80s they removed ZDDP causing engines to fail prematurely, ad the ‘newer’ rating had been used.
zzr1200
Working at 650 ft on open steel work.
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Shox, I fully understand what you are saying, but with modern day oils regarding the spec's, I believe they are more for environmental protection than the actual lubrication qualities of the oil.
Not that I'm saying we should disregard the environmental problems but I do wonder about the different lubrication qualities of the various oil spec's?
In my book, the oil is for lubrication not the environment.
Disposal of waste oil is something else.
Shox Dr
Chief Engineer to Carlos Fandango
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Quiet. These 0w oils are good for cold starts and mpg, but no good for engine life. I drove to Poland late last yr. It was interesting to see bearly any big Audi A8 howling past, I wonder if that has anything to do with these low viscosity oils, killing high mileage vehicles.
zzr1200
Working at 650 ft on open steel work.
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Over the years machining/material spec/tolerences have improved allowing longevity/reliability of the vehicles engine. Tighter tolerances and improved oils have also allowed for oils with less viscosity to aid mileage/reliability.
The days are long gone (thankfully) of rebuilding a BMC engine every 40,000/50,000 mile or a Ford engine at 70,000/75,000 miles and throw into the mix a decoke every 10,000/15,000 miles.....
But too you youngsters out there, that's how things were years ago.
Oil was 20/50W for a reason because machining tolerances and materials used in engines years ago were crap.
Today most car engines will see 150,000/200,000mile without being opened up for any surgery, let alone major surgery.
Years ago service intervals (oil changes) could be as low as a 1000 miles in some cases, 3000 or 5000 miles was normal, not the 15/20,000+ miles of today and the first "Free Service" where you stilled paid for the "Oil n Filter" was at 500 miles.
Arr....the good old days.....
Gareth J
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I feel that a lot of the recent developments in oil tech have been to push mpg and service intervals.
Rightly or wrongly, I choose to buy a reasonably priced own brand (Smith and Allen or the like usually) fully synth oil that meets the car spec in a 20l drum. Also, halve the oil change interval and only do the filter every other time. As a minimum, annually, regardless of mileage.
I wouldn't go lower than the suggested spec on a modern engine, some are fussy about oil feeds to turbos.
Rightly or wrongly, I choose to buy a reasonably priced own brand (Smith and Allen or the like usually) fully synth oil that meets the car spec in a 20l drum. Also, halve the oil change interval and only do the filter every other time. As a minimum, annually, regardless of mileage.
I wouldn't go lower than the suggested spec on a modern engine, some are fussy about oil feeds to turbos.
brightspark
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get it stuck in
any oils better than no oil
any oils better than no oil
Ashley Burton
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You should use VW507 on diesel VAG vehicles I.e. Skoda, VW etc.
As a Euro 5/6 Diesel vehicle will have a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter on the exhaust). Using the wrong grade can cause issues with the DPF failing.
For the cost saving I know what I would do!
As a Euro 5/6 Diesel vehicle will have a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter on the exhaust). Using the wrong grade can cause issues with the DPF failing.
For the cost saving I know what I would do!
Shox Dr
Chief Engineer to Carlos Fandango
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- East Yorkshire
Over the years machining/material spec/tolerences have improved allowing longevity/reliability of the vehicles engine. Tighter tolerances and improved oils have also allowed for oils with less viscosity to aid mileage/reliability.
The days are long gone (thankfully) of rebuilding a BMC engine every 40,000/50,000 mile or a Ford engine at 70,000/75,000 miles and throw into the mix a decoke every 10,000/15,000 miles.....
But too you youngsters out there, that's how things were years ago.
Oil was 20/50W for a reason because machining tolerances and materials used in engines years ago were crap.
Today most car engines will see 150,000/200,000mile without being opened up for any surgery, let alone major surgery.
Years ago service intervals (oil changes) could be as low as a 1000 miles in some cases, 3000 or 5000 miles was normal, not the 15/20,000+ miles of today and the first "Free Service" where you stilled paid for the "Oil n Filter" was at 500 miles.
Arr....the good old days.....
My wifes Mito had the manufactures own oil, at the spec’d intervals. The multi valve failed at 34k, the colour of the insides looked like it had never had a change for 10’s of thousands of miles. Gummed up and black as tar.
While tolerances may well have got better. Oil is just oil, the same as it’s always been. Still needs changing every 5k. Not 20k+
