SECTOR FOCUS: AUTOMOTIVE HDDO
ACEA 2022 heavy-duty released
A significant increase in lubricant performance for commercial vehicles
Alex Brewster, Product Manager Commercial Engine Lubricants, Lubrizol Nigel Britton, Technical Manager Commercial Engine Lubricants, Lubrizol
Since 1996 the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association ACEA (l’Association des Constructeurs Européens d’Automobiles), has prescribed the minimum quality level for service-fill engine oils demanded by members. In May 2022 ACEA formally announced and released its most recent Heavy-Duty oil sequences update, the first refresh since 2016.
The new release represents significant advances in lubricant performance levels. Specifically, the changes highlight the ongoing challenges facing heavy-duty diesel commercial vehicle manufacturers amid growing hardware complexity and the adoption of alternative fuels. New alignments with key industry and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) specifications, along with engine technology, also underscore continuing market demand for reduced emissions, increased efficiency and engine durability.
ACEA 2022 heavy-duty update: What’s included? At a macro level, new and replacement engine testing and two new performance categories are among the changes.
ACEA E6, while ACEA E11 has replaced ACEA E9. Both address newer vehicles i.e., those with latest aftertreatment technology. In the high SAPS category, ACEA E4 and ACEA E7 have been maintained to protect vehicles already in the fleet (reference Figure 1). The proposed ACEA F categories for improved fuel efficiency, which are applicable to lower High Temperature High Shear (HTHS) viscosity lubricants, remains a requirement for ACEA. However, the timeline for when this will be released remains unclear. Therefore, the ACEA 2022 heavy-duty oil release focused on the ACEA E categories.
Within the changes are several key micro-level updates designed to address various issues.
Inclusion and adoption of API-focused tests One aspect of the update is the inclusion and adoption of American Petroleum Institute (API) tests, which are part of API CK-4 and API FA-4. This brings greater global synergies across the API and ACEA categories and aligns the global requirements for minimum lubricant performance.
Key API test additions: • The Volvo T-13 Engine Oil Oxidation test (ASTM D8048), previously introduced in the API CK-4 and FA-4 updates, is included in the new ACEA E8 and ACEA E11 performance categories. Its inclusion necessitates an increased level of oxidative performance to better prevent oil thickening and acid formation within the engine.
Figure 1: ACEA 2022 Heavy-Duty Oil Sequences. Source: Lubrizol
In the low to mid Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus and Sulphur (SAPS) categories, ACEA E8 has replaced
10 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.170 AUGUST 2022
• The Caterpillar Oil Aeration Test (COAT) (ASTM D8047), previously introduced in the API CK-4 and FA-4 update, is also included in ACEA E8 and ACEA E11. The COAT signals the need for improved lubrication aeration performance. Air entrainment within the lubricant can lead to oil starvation, power loss and accelerated engine wear.
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