EURO vs US: Why ACEA & API Oil Standards Don’t Match

The Motor Oil Geek November 29, 2025
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The Motor Oil Geek

@themotoroilgeek

About

As a Certified Lubrication Specialist with over 20 years experience, The Motor Oil Geek channel delivers real data about motor oils from an expert perspective instead of speculation. Twice each month I will upload a new video that either analyzes a new oil, dyno tests an oil, reveals the details about motor oil chemistry or uncovers the history of motor oil. Utilizing the same technology applied by Formula 1 teams, The Motor Oil Geek uses SPEEDiagnostix to analyze our new and used oil samples. It's my mission to provide results that allow you to make decisions based on data, not speculation. The internet is full of people who claim to know about oil and lubrication. At The Motor Oil Geek, you get an actual industry expert with championship winning experience and the credentials to back it up. Our motto is Science, Not Speculation. If you know what size wrench is needed to change your oil, this channel is for you!

Video Description

We’re diving deep into one of the most misunderstood topics in the automotive world: the differences between American API engine-oil specifications and European ACEA specifications. I’ll be joined by a technical expert from Ravenol, one of the world’s leading high-performance lubricant manufacturers, to break down: - What API classifications really mean (Gasoline vs diesel categories, SP/SQ, CK-4, testing requirements, and U.S. emissions considerations) - How ACEA Sequences differ (A/B high-SAPS oils, C-category low-SAPS oils, and long-drain performance) - Why European and American oils are formulated differently - Synthetic oil definitions: U.S. marketing vs German regulations - The critical role of OEM approvals and why “Approved” and “Suitable for Use” are not the same thing. Here are links to resources mentioned in the video: The full presentation PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ohfqeiwsnzqawyca6g3yc/API-and-ACEA.pdf?rlkey=ik79tq009o24qcst8u35r7isc&st=2a33upio&dl=0 ACEA Specs: https://www.infineuminsight.com/en-gb/resources/acea-oil-sequences-brochure-2024/ API Specs: https://www.infineuminsight.com/en-gb/resources/api-engine-oil-classifications-brochure/ Synthetic Oil Defined: https://youtu.be/NGPGW3RhQqw Premium Fuel: https://youtu.be/DAmEGI7xvBw Ethanol: https://youtu.be/fZYzFyahCu8

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