ACEA A3/B4, API SM | Engine Oils

Huge selection of motor oil from many manufacturers. You have the choice!

Among all lubricants and fuels in the car, engine oil is of particular importance. As the central link between mechanical friction and power generation, the engine oil plays a decisive role in the transmission of power from the engine in the car and is therefore exposed to various loads during each individual journey. If one considers that the intervals between oil changes are sometimes as short as 30,000 km, the importance of engine oil quality becomes even clearer.

Engine oils can essentially be distinguished by their viscosity, their manufacturer's approval or recommendation, and their basic chemical structure. Usually the viscosity is specified in an SAE class. In modern passenger cars, multi-grade engine oils are used which are capable of exhibiting different viscosities in the cold state, such as when the vehicle is cold-started, and in the warm state, i.e. at regular operating temperature up to the maximum load. This is a significant advantage, as an engine oil is thus able to ensure the rapid lubrication of an engine during a cold start with the highest possible flowability, thus guaranteeing qualitative aggregate protection, while at the same time offering a higher viscosity at high operating temperatures in order to be able to maintain a reliable lubricating film under heavy loads. Widely used viscosity grades in cars are SAE 0W-30, 5W-30 and 5W-40, which have replaced the once dominant viscosity 10W-40. An engine oil with a viscosity of 0W-30 is more fluid in comparison to the 5W-30 engine oil when cold and is therefore able to oil the engine more quickly and build up a protective lubricating film more quickly. In addition to the viscosity, automobile manufacturers limit the quality requirements for an engine oil to be used more precisely by specifications or so-called manufacturer's approvals. Common specifications are defined by the manufacturer-independent institutions ACEA (Association des Constructeurs Européens d'Automobiles), the API (American Petroleum Institute) or the ILSAC (International Lubricants Standardization and Approval Committee). Lubricant manufacturers can produce their products according to the classes defined in each case, such as ACEA A3/B4, API SN or ILSAC GF-5, while automotive manufacturers define which specifications must be met for the various vehicles. By specifying an engine oil specification, it is possible to identify in particular whether an engine oil is suitable only for petrol engines or also for vehicles with diesel engines. In the case of requirements for a lubricant individually defined by the vehicle manufacturer, a standardised specification is replaced by the so-called manufacturer approval or operating instructions. An approval is issued directly by the vehicle manufacturer. Oil manufacturers use it to produce products that meet the technical requirements of such an approval. Some of these products are then licensed and officially approved by the car manufacturer (in our online shop, the approvals of an engine oil  are listed in the product details under "approvals:") or recommended by the lubricant manufacturer as being suitable for use in vehicles that require an engine oil of the respective operating regulation (in our online shop, these are delimited from the manufacturer releases as "recommendations"). The most popular operating regulations defined by the automobile manufacturers include BMW Longlife-01, Mercedes-Benz MB 229.52, VW 505 00 and 507 00 or GM dexos2. However, there are also various other approvals from the vehicle manufacturers BMW, Mercedes, VW, Ford, Chrysler and many others.

In ATO24's online shop, you will find products from well-known lubricant manufacturers as well as a wide range of OEM products with which car manufacturers sell lubricants under their own brand. Due to our wide range of products we are able to provide the right motor oil for almost every vehicle - at a reasonable price and with short delivery time, no matter if European, American, Asian vehicle, passenger car, SUV, sports car or super sports car.

What does ACEA A3/B4 mean?

ACEA A3/B4 engine oils are often 5W-30, 5W-40 or 10W-30 oils that are usually targeted at modern passenger car gasoline and diesel models from various manufacturers.

ACEA A3/B4 5W-30 and 5W-40 engine oils are usually based on API Group III base oils, while ACEA A3/B4 10W-40 engine oils often contain both Group I, Group II and Group III base oils.

For the ACEA A3/B4 specification, an HTHS viscosity greater than or equal to 3.5 cP is required.

Since 2004, the European ACEA (Association des Constructeurs Européens d'Automobiles) has continued to develop the ACEA A3/B3 specification and revise its requirements:

• ACEA A3/B4-21
• ACEA A3/B4-16
• ACEA A3/B4-12
• ACEA A3/B4-10
• ACEA A3/B4-08
• ACEA A3/B4-07
• ACEA A3/B4-04

Which viscosity for ACEA A3/B4 engine oil?

Which viscosity you can use in connection with the ACEA A3/B4 viscosity, depends strongly on your vehicle and/or the installed engine. In the vehicle manual of your car you will find a detailed description of how you should select your engine oil.

In the online store of ATO24 you will find ACEA A3/B4 oils of various viscosities. Hereunder are among other things:

• ACEA A3/B4 0W-30
• ACEA A3/B4 0W-40
• ACEA A3/B4 5W-30
• ACEA A3/B4 5W-40
• ACEA A3/B4 5W-50
• ACEA A3/B4 10W-30
• ACEA A3/B4 10W-40
• ACEA A3/B4 10W-50
• ACEA A3/B4 10W-60

If you are not sure which viscosity to use for your vehicle, just ask! The ATO24 team will be happy to help you quickly and competently to find exactly the right engine oil for you!

ACEA A3/B4 with approval / recommendation for Mercedes, BMW, Ford, Volvo, Renault etc.

In the ATO24 store you will receive engine oils that, in addition to the specification, also receive various manufacturer releases or manufacturer recommendations. Often specification and release occur together to narrow down the compatible selection of engine oils for you and make your search easier. Here you will find engine oils that also receive the following manufacturer recommendations and approvals:

• Mercedes-Benz MB 229.5 ACEA A3/B4 oil
• Ford WSS-M2C917A ACEA A3/B4 oil
• GM dexos2 ACEA A3/B4 oil
• Renault RN0700 ACEA A3/B4 oil