Oil's well that ends well

Oil is oil, right? Wrong! Have you experienced the dread of searching for the correct engine oil in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language?

- JOHN KETTLEWELL

Your little pocket dictionary won’t have the translation for, “I need API CJ-4 15W-40 diesel oil.” Pointing at the bottle on the shelf might work, but be sure you are pointing at the correct container!

To complicate matters, outside of North America you will find different prominent codes on the container related to other standards organizations like the ACEA (Association des Constructeurs Européens d’Automobiles), and you may see manufacturer specific codes as well. Luckily, major oil suppliers tend to include a wide variety of codes on their labels, but you may find it to be information overkill.

A typical oil label on the back of popular Shell Rimula diesel oil (found widely outside of the U.S.) might look something like this:

“SAE Viscosity Grade: 15W-40.

API CI-4, CG-4, CF-4, CF; ACEA E7, E5; Global DHD-1, Cummins CES 20071, 72, 76, 77, 78; Cat ECF1-A; DDC 93K215; Mack EO-M, EO-M+; MAN 3275; MB Approval 228.3; Renault Trucks RLD-2; Volvo VDS-3.”

Left, marine diesel engines are impressive machines, but without the proper oil, they will not operate as intended. Below, a photo of the oil page from John Kettlewell’s engine manual that he keeps on his phone for reference when buying oil.