Originally Posted By: shDK
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Originally Posted By: shDK
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Is this just a general question or are you trying source oil for a car that just requires an API SM/SN oil and not ACEA?
It was a general question. My own car, a 2008 Mazda 6 petrol requires a fairly common API SL, or ACEA a5/b5 5w-30. I however use European synpower 5w-30 that is both API SL and ACEA a3/b4. Aswell as LL01 MB229.5
I was simply wondering because I thought ACEA a3/b4 would equal API SN in performance.
Generally ACEA requirements are higher than API so I wouldn't hesitate to use an A5/B5 0W/5W-30 oil that doesn't also have dual API certification in your Mazda 6. The problem with the A3/B4 oil is that is notably heavier than an A5/B5 oil and therefore heavier than what's required.
Actually Mazda specs anything between 5w-20 to 10w40. So I thought a3/b4 with it,s more stout HTHS above 3.5 was best since the engine work really hard for long times some times.
If the engine is spec'd for a 5W-20 with a HTHSV of just 2.6cP for year round use then that's all the engine requires from a lubrication perspective even under the most arduous conditions.
The specifying of heavier grades has more to do with what's availability than anything else. Also if one is cruising a high speeds and therefore high rev's, oil consumption can be an issue with lighter oil, so a heavier grade may prove more suitable.
Anyway, since a A5/B5 5W-30 is already heavier than the minimum grade specified, it you can get such an oil for a good price I would certainly recommend it over an A3/B4 oil.