ACEA C3, 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.

Huge selection ACEA C3 engine oil at ATO24!

Engine oils of the ACEA C3 specification gain at the latest since particulate filters in diesel vehicles have become the absolute rule, an important role. But since the introduction of the gasoline particulate filter OPF in gasoline vehicles, the ACEA C3 specification plays a greater role in vehicles with gasoline engine.

The ATO24 Online Shop offers you a huge selection of high quality engine oils that meet the ACEA C3 specification at great prices! Whether OEM engine oil for your Opel, Shell 5W-30 for your BMW or high end Ravenol USVO engine oil. We make it easy for you to choose the right oil and help you quickly and competently if you are unsure!

What is ACEA C3?

The ACEA C3 specification is a low SAPS specification that is particularly suitable for use in diesel engines with diesel particulate filters as well as gasoline engines with three-way catalytic converters and gasoline particulate filters.

Since its introduction in 2004, the ACEA C3 specification of the European Association des Constructeurs Européens d'Automobiles has held continuous updates, which are marked with a suffix corresponding to the year of the innovation:

• ACEA C3-21 (from the year 2021)
• ACEA C3-16 (from the year 2016)
• ACEA C3-12 (from the year 2012)
• ACEA C3-10 (from the year 2010)
• ACEA C3-08 (from the year 2008)
• ACEA C3-07 (from the year 2007)
• ACEA C3-04 (from the year 2004)

ACEA C3: Which viscosity? Which release?

ACEA C3 engine oils are typically found in the following viscosities:

• ACEA C3 0W-30 engine oil
• ACEA C3 0W-40 engine oil
• ACEA C3 5W-30 engine oil
• ACEA C3 5W-40 engine oil
• ACEA C3 5W-50 engine oil

You can find information about the viscosity of the ACEA C3 engine oil for your car in your vehicle manual. Nothing found? Then the ATO24 service team will help you. Simply contact us using the options provided!

In addition to various viscosities, you will find ACEA C3 engine oils according to various approvals or recommendations. These include for example:

• ACEA C3 BMW Longlife-01 engine oil
• ACEA C3 BMW Longlife-04 engine oil
• ACEA C3 Chrysler MS-6395 engine oil
• ACEA C3 GM dexos 2 engine oil
• ACEA C3 MB 229.51 engine oil