ACEA C2-21

ACEA C2 oils are Top Tier mid (Sulphated Ash, Phosphorous and Sulphur) SAPS 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 (≥ 2.9cP) SAE 0W-30 & 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-36-90 cP ≥ 2.6 and <2.9
Sulphated Ash ASTM D874 %m/m ≤ 0.8
Phosphorus ASTM D5185 or
ASTM D4951
%m/m ≥ 0.07 / ≤ 0.09
Sulphur ASTM D5185 or
ASTM D4951
%m/m ≤ 0.3
Evaporation loss (NOACK) CEC L-40-A-93 % ≤ 13
Total Base Number ASTM D2896 and
ASTM D4739
mgKOH/g ≥ N/A Report

The requirements for ACEA C2 align well with many OEM performance specifications and are usually formulated to achieve increased levels of fuel economy improvement.

OEM approvals connected with the ACEA C2 category include:

  • Opel – OV0401547
  • Ford WSS-M2C948-B
  • RN17 FE
  • Volvo Cars VCC RBS0-SAE 0W-20
  • PSA B71 2010
  • JLR STJLR.03.5006
  • Ford 952-A
  • BMW LL-17 FE+
  • MB 229.71
  • Porsche C20
  • VW 50800 / 50900

ACEA C2 was first introduced into the ACEA Oil Sequences in 2004 and for the ACEA 2021 update a number of changes to the requirements for ACEA C2 have been made. The inclusion of the new VW TDI3 Engine Test and M271 Evo Sludge Test represent two of the more significant changes to the category, updating test requirements to match modern engine hardware including the increased usage of Turbo Charged Gasoline Direct Injection (TDGI) Engines.

The changes for ACEA 2021 are summarised below:

Test Additional tests for ACEA 2021
CEC L-107-19  M271 EVO Sludge 
ASTM D8256 Sequence VH Low Temperature Sludge 
ASTM 8350
Sequence IVB
Valvetrain  Wear 
CEC-117-21  VW TDI Deposits  (TD13)