Oil specifications & approvals
Viscosity is only half the answer. These are the performance specifications — API, ILSAC, ACEA, GM dexos, and OEM approvals — your engine may also require. Match both the grade and the spec.
Why this hub exists
The site tracks 23 approval pages across 17 issuers: ACEA, API, API / ILSAC, BMW, GM (General Motors), Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai / Kia, ILSAC, JASO, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Stellantis / PSA, Renault, Toyota, Volkswagen Group. Use this hub when the manual lists a performance approval, not just an SAE grade.
- ACEA A5/B5 What ACEA A5/B5 means, its HTHS range and high-SAPS context, how it differs from ACEA C3 and A7/B7, and when a manual requires it.
- ACEA C3 What ACEA C3 means, its mid-SAPS and HTHS requirements, how it differs from A5/B5 and C2, and why viscosity and OEM approval still matter.
- ACEA sequences ACEA oil sequences explained — the European performance classes for engine oils, what the A/B, C, and E categories mean, and how they relate to viscosity.
- API CK-4 API CK-4 explained — the current API heavy-duty diesel engine oil category, and why diesel and gasoline oils differ.
- API SN API SN explained — the previous-generation API gasoline-engine oil category, and how it relates to the current API SP.
- API SP API SP explained — the American Petroleum Institute gasoline-engine oil category found in many recent manuals, what it protects against, and how it relates to API SQ.
- API SQ / ILSAC GF-7 API SQ and ILSAC GF-7 explained — current gasoline-engine oil standards, GF-7A vs GF-7B, and how Starburst, Shield, and Donut labels relate to your manual.
- BMW Longlife BMW Longlife oil approvals explained — what Longlife specifications such as LL-01 and LL-04 mean, and how they relate to the viscosity grade.
- dexos1 Gen3 dexos1 Gen3 explained — GM's active licensed gasoline-engine oil specification, how to verify a license, and how dexosR now relates to it.
- Ford WSS oil specifications How Ford WSS engine oil specifications work, why the full code matters, and why viscosity or API category alone may not satisfy a Ford manual.
- GM dexos2 GM dexos2 explained: where the legacy approval was used, why it differs from dexos1, and how GM now positions dexosD and dexosR.
- Honda oil requirements How to read Honda viscosity, API/ILSAC and vehicle-specific oil requirements without assuming one universal Honda oil specification.
- Hyundai / Kia oil requirements Why Hyundai and Kia oil viscosity and API, ILSAC or ACEA requirements vary by engine and market, and how to read the manual correctly.
- ILSAC GF-6 ILSAC GF-6 explained — the gasoline-engine oil standard found in many recent manuals, its GF-6A and GF-6B sub-categories, and how it relates to ILSAC GF-7.
- JASO MA / MA2 JASO MA and MA2 explained — the motorcycle oil friction standard for wet clutches, and why some car oils are unsuitable.
- Mercedes-Benz Approvals Mercedes-Benz oil approvals explained — what MB-Approval sheets such as 229.5, 229.51, and 229.71 mean, and how they relate to the viscosity grade.
- Porsche A40 What Porsche A40 approval means, why it is separate from SAE viscosity, how to verify an approved oil, and why A40 is not interchangeable with C-series approvals.
- Porsche C30 What Porsche C30 approval means, how it relates to viscosity and vehicle-specific manuals, and why C30 is not a universal substitute for A40, C20 or C40.
- Porsche oil approvals How Porsche A40, C20, C30 and C40-style approvals relate to viscosity, engines, emissions systems and the exact owner manual requirement.
- PSA B71 / Stellantis FPW9 oil specifications How PSA B71 and newer Stellantis FPW9 oil specifications work, why full codes matter, and how to avoid unsafe substitutions.
- Renault RN oil approvals How Renault RN0700, RN0710, RN17 and related approval families differ, and why the exact engine, emissions system and manual matter.
- Toyota oil requirements How Toyota manuals combine viscosity, API/ILSAC performance, temperature notes and maintenance requirements for a specific engine.
- VW 504 00 / 507 00 VW 504 00 and 507 00 explained — Volkswagen Group's long-life low-SAPS oil approvals for petrol and diesel engines, and how they relate to viscosity.