ACEA C5-21
ACEA C5 oils are Top Tier mid Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus and Sulphur (SAPS) lubricants designed for use in high performance gasoline and light duty diesel engines. They provide an increased focus on improved fuel economy and are suitable for use alongside advanced aftertreatment systems such as Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) and Three Way Catalysts (TWC).
ACEA C5 oils feature a minimum HTHS viscosity of 2.6cP and are typically SAE 0W-20 with some 5W-20 oils.
The main physical and chemical requirements for ACEA C5 are shown below:
| Requirement | Method | Unit | Limit |
| HTHS viscosity | CEC L-036-A-90 | mPa.s | ≥ 2.6 and < 2.9 |
| Sulphated Ash | ASTM D874 | %m/m | ≤ 0.8 |
| Phosphorus |
ASTM D5185 |
%m/m | ≥ 0.07 / ≤ 0.09 |
| Sulphur | ASTM D5185 ASTM D4951 |
%m/m | ≤ 0.3 |
| Evaporation loss (NOACK) | CEC L-40-A-93 | % | ≤ 13 |
| Total Base Number | ASTM D2896 ASTM D4739 |
mgKOH/g | ≥ 6.0 report |
The specification of ACEA C5 has allowed many OEMs to align their specifications with its performance requirements.
- VW 50800 / 50900
- Porsche C20
- BMW LL-17 FE+
- MB 229.71
- MB 229.72
- Opel OV0401547
- JLR STJLR.03.5006
- Volvo Cars VCC RBS0-SAE 0W-20
- Ford WSS-M2C948-B
- Ford WSS-M2C952-A
- RN17 FE
- PSA B71 2010
ACEA C5 was first introduced into the ACEA Oil Sequences in 2016 and so ACEA 2021 represents the first update to this category.
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 additional new engine tests for ACEA 2021 are summarised below:
| Test | New Engine Tests for ACEA 2021 |
| CEC L-107-19 | M271 Evo Black Sludge |
| CEC L-117-20 | VW TDI Piston Cleanliness (TDI3) |
| ASTM D8256 Sequence VH | Low Temperature Sludge |
| ASTM D8350 Sequence IVB | Valvetrain Wear |