The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has published the 2021 ACEA light-duty oil sequences.
The ACEA sequences identify relevant performance standards for lubricants specifically tailored to the European market. Lubricants marketers have been blending to ACEA sequences produced in 2016, but after work began in 2018, the updated automotive engine oil sequences for light-duty vehicles have now been released.
According to ACEA, the updated sequences have been published in order to address engine developments that are being driven by a combination of regulatory and performance needs, complemented by necessary test maintenance requirements.
Andrew Goddard, Chairman of the Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS), commented: “The new ACEA 2021 sequences represent evolution, not revolution. The light-duty sequences for 2021 tackle some existing challenges in the marketplace such as the introduction of a new category A7/B7 and C6 addressing the impact of Low Speed Pre-Ignition. The introduction of new engine tests modernises the sequences to take account of the need for lower viscosity fluids in some engines such as the introduction of the Toyota engine test. They also withdraw legacy engines that are no longer representative of the overall market.”
New claims can already be made against the 2021 oil sequences, which will become mandatory for all new claims from 1 May 2022 onwards.
The lubricants industry still awaits the 2021 sequences for heavy-duty engines, which ACEA expects to publish no earlier than June 2021. New categories E8 and E11 are likely to be introduced, replacing E6 and E9. These upgrades will focus on enhanced oxidation performance and piston cleanliness with the inclusion of established ASTM engine tests developed for API CK-4. Two new categories for fuel efficiency, F8 and F11, are also expected.
