ACEA C2-16
ACEA C2 oils are Top Tier lower SAPS1 lubricants. They are designed for use in high performance gasoline and light duty diesel engines where advanced aftertreatment systems such as Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) and Three Way Catalysts (TWC) are used.
ACEA C2 oils are typically low HTHS (≤3.5cP) SAE 5W-30 based on API Group III base oils. The main physical and chemical requirements for ACEA C2 are shown below:
| Requirement | Method | Unit | Limit |
| HTHS viscosity | CEC L-36-A-90 | cP | ≥ 2.9 |
| Sulphated Ash | ASTM D874 | %wt | ≤ 0.8 |
| Phosphorus | ASTM D5185 | %wt | ≥ 0.070 and ≥ 0.090 |
| Sulphur | ASTM D5185 | %wt | ≤ 0.3 |
| Evaporation loss (NOACK) | CEC L-40-A-93 | % | ≤ 13 |
| Total Base Number | ASTM D2896 | mgKOH/g | ≥ N/A |
Although the “mid SAPS1” requirements for ACEA C2 align well with many OEM performance specifications, ACEA C2 oils are usually formulated to a low HTHS (≤3.5cP) to achieve the high level of fuel economy improvement required. This limits the number of additional performance claims that can be coupled with ACEA C2.
Although ACEA C2 oils do not usually carry any additional performance claims a number of OEMs (for example PSA) specify ACEA C2 oils as suitable for some of their vehicles.
Note 1 : SAPS refers to Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus and Sulphur, the levels of which are often restricted in the latest performance specifications.
ACEA C2 was first introduced into the ACEA Oil Sequences in 2004 and for the ACEA 2016 update a number of changes to the requirements for ACEA C2 have been made. The inclusion of the new OM646LA BIO engine test and CEC L-109 oil oxidation test with Biodiesel shows the increasing importance of biodiesel in the marketplace. Additionally, the new DV6 engine test, as a replacement for the DV4 test along with the PSA EP6 engine test highlights the increased piston cleanliness and soot handling requirements of ACEA 2016.
The changes for ACEA 2016 are summarised below:
| Test | Change for ACEA 2016 |
| ASTM D5185 | Phosphorus limit changed to ≥ 0.070 and ≤ 0.090 |
| CEC L-112 | New seals materials for oil elastomer compatibility |
| CEC L-109 | Biodiesel Oxidation test added to replace GFC-LU-43A-11. |
| CEC L-106 | DV6 Oil dispersion at medium temperature now compulsory, replaced DV4. |
| CEC L-111-16 | PSA EP6 piston cleanliness test added |
| CEC L038-94 | TU3M scuffing test removed |
| CEC L-088-02 | TU5JP-L4 high temperature deposits test removed |
| Daimler M271 Evo | Black Sludge test added (required once available) |
| CEC L-104-16 | OM646LA BIO Effects of Biodiesel test added |
For a deeper dive into specifications, see the Lubrizol Ready Reference Guide, the industry's go-to resource for understanding fuel and lubricant performance principles and requirements.