Lubricants for internal combustion engines - General standards

Generally speaking, engine oils comply with classifications, specifications and terms of reference issued by national or international bodies, motor vehicle or industrial engine manufacturers and, in some cases, major users such as national armies or government departments. These documents are intended either to homologate (standards) or qualify (classifications) products.

A distinction is made between classifications and specifications:

• the former are given on an informal basis and are not binding; they are merely recommendations for use;

• the latter, on the other hand, have a certain "legislative" character, since manufacturers or user organizations include them in their recommendations.

In this article, we will present the classifications and specifications of the organizations. Manufacturers' specifications are given in article [BM 2 751].

This study on lubricants for internal combustion engines is divided into three parts:

• [BM 2 750] Lubricants for internal combustion engines. General standards

• [BM 2 751] Lubricants for internal combustion engines. Manufacturer's specifications

• [BM 2 752] Lubricants for internal combustion engines. Market and consumption.