Lube-Tech PUBLISHED BY LUBE: THE EUROPEAN LUBRICANTS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
must be tested (often at independent labs) according to the OEM’s protocol (which incorporates ACEA tests and often additional more stringent requirements), and the results submitted to the OEM for review. If the oil meets all requirements, the OEM may issue an official approval letter or code, and the oil can be listed as approved for that specification. Unlike ACEA, many OEMs do maintain approved oil lists or databases, however, rarely are these lists published and in the public domain.
The technical rigour behind an OEM approved lubricant is generally higher or at least more assured. OEM specifications often include additional tests or tougher limits tailored to their engines (for instance, a proprietary turbocharger deposit test, an elastomer compatibility test with the manufacturer’s seal materials, or extended duration engine tests for long-life drain intervals). For an oil to claim, “OEM Approved”, it must satisfy those specific criteria and be reviewed by the OEM’s engineers. By contrast, an oil labelled only with “meets X criteria” relies on the blender’s word that it would pass the same tests. The difference in accountability is clear, and it has real consequences for engine reliability if a claim turns out to be false.
Technical performance comparison: How do SFU oils measure up?
Oxidation stability and thermal resistance Engine oils must resist thickening and breakdown at high temperatures. Poor oxidation stability can cause viscosity increases, sludge and varnish formation. OEM approved oils pass rigorous engine tests like the DV6C and Volvo T-13, ensuring stable viscosity and minimal deposits. SFU oils, lacking formal validation, risk failing these critical tests due to formulation shortcuts, compromising engine performance over time.
Through our evaluation of the SFU oils tested, 36 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.187 JUNE 2025
Figure 3: CEC L-109-14 Biodiesel Oxidation Test results comparing an OEM approved oil vs SFU oil. The graph is owned and protected by Lubrizol.
No.158 page 4
we utilised the CEC L-109 test method, which is a laboratory test designed to assess the oxidative stability of engine oils at high temperature (150°C) when used in conjunction with biodiesel fuels. There has been a shift towards higher concentrations on biodiesel, moving from levels such as B0 to B5 and B7, with variations occurring across different regions. This oxidation test aims to proactively safeguard against potential oxidative degradation of engine oils induced and accelerated by biodiesel. The test conditions are chosen to reflect significant fuel dilution (7%), often a consequence of the diverse engine operation characteristic of both passenger vehicles and commercial fleets. This ensures that the evaluation is comprehensive and applicable to a wide range of engine types and uses, providing a reliable measure of an engine oil’s performance in biodiesel- inclusive environments. As illustrated in Figure 3, the oil under evaluation, which is marketed as suitable for use for in vehicles requiring the VW 50400 / 50700 specification, exhibited a significant increase in viscosity, far beyond the ACEA specification limit of <60%. Such a substantial change in viscosity will impact the oil’s ability to circulate efficiently within the engine, consequently compromising its capacity to offer essential protection to engine components.
CEC L –109-14 Biodiesel Oxidation Test
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