Manufacturer Oil Approvals Explained: VW, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Vauxhall and More
A manufacturer approval is a car maker's own oil standard. The manufacturer sets extra engine tests on top of an industry specification such as ACEA C3, and only oils that pass can carry the approval code. If your handbook names an approval, it is the most reliable way to choose the right oil.
Approved, meets or recommended?
- Approved means the oil has been tested and officially listed by the car maker.
- Meets or recommended for means the oil company states the oil meets the requirement, without a formal listing.
Our product pages show approvals under Manufacturer approvals, and other claims under Also meets or recommended for, so you can see the difference.
Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, Skoda and Cupra
| Approval | Used for |
|---|---|
| VW 502 00 | Older petrol engines, usually 5W-40. |
| VW 505 00 | Older diesel engines without pump injectors, usually 5W-40. |
| VW 505 01 | Pump-injector (PD) TDI diesel engines, usually 5W-40. |
| VW 504 00 / 507 00 | LongLife III oil for petrol (504 00) and diesel (507 00) engines, including diesels with a DPF. Usually 5W-30, and suitable for both LongLife and fixed servicing. The most common VW approval from the mid-2000s. |
| VW 508 00 / 509 00 | LongLife IV 0W-20 oil for newer petrol (508 00) and diesel (509 00) engines designed for it. Not backwards compatible with older engines. |
VW 507 00 oil can also be used in many engines that originally needed 505 00 or 505 01, but check your handbook first. Shop oil for VW, Audi, SEAT and Skoda.
BMW and MINI
| Approval | Used for |
|---|---|
| BMW Longlife-01 | Older petrol engines and diesels without a DPF. Full SAPS. |
| BMW Longlife-04 | Low and mid-SAPS oil for diesels with a DPF and most petrol engines. The most widely used BMW approval for models from the mid-2000s onwards. |
| BMW Longlife-12 FE, 14 FE+, 17 FE+ and 19 FE | Low-viscosity fuel-economy oils, such as 0W-30 and 0W-20, for specific newer engines. Use them only where your handbook lists them. |
Some BMW M models have their own requirements, such as 10W-60 for certain older M engines. Shop oil for BMW and MINI.
Mercedes-Benz
| Approval | Used for |
|---|---|
| MB 229.3 / 229.5 | Full-SAPS oils for petrol and diesel engines without a DPF. 229.5 allows longer service intervals. |
| MB 229.31 / 229.51 | Low-SAPS oils for engines with a DPF and many petrol engines. MB 229.51 is the most common. |
| MB 229.52 | Low-SAPS oil for newer diesel engines. It also covers engines that need 229.51 or 229.31. |
| MB 229.71 | 0W-20 fuel-economy oil for the latest engines designed for it. |
Shop oil for Mercedes-Benz.
Ford
| Approval | Used for |
|---|---|
| WSS-M2C913-C / 913-D | Fuel-economy 5W-30 for most Ford petrol and Duratorq diesel engines. 913-D is the current version and replaces 913-C. |
| WSS-M2C948-B | 5W-20 for many EcoBoost petrol engines, including the 1.0 EcoBoost. |
| WSS-M2C934-B | Low-SAPS 5W-30 for certain diesel engines with a DPF. |
| WSS-M2C950-A | 0W-30 for EcoBlue diesel engines. |
Shop oil for Ford.
Vauxhall and Opel
Most Vauxhall petrol and diesel engines from 2010 call for GM dexos2, usually in 5W-30. Some newer turbocharged petrol engines call for dexos1. Newer Vauxhalls built on Peugeot platforms, such as the Corsa from 2019, use the Peugeot and Citroën specifications below instead. Shop oil for Vauxhall.
Peugeot, Citroën and DS
These cars use PSA specifications. PSA B71 2290 (5W-30) covers many petrol and HDi or BlueHDi diesel engines with particulate filters, and PSA B71 2312 (usually 0W-30) covers many newer engines. Shop oil for Peugeot, Citroën and DS.
Renault, Dacia and Nissan
Renault uses RN0700 for older petrol engines, RN0710 for diesels without a DPF and some petrol engines, and RN0720 (ACEA C4) for dCi diesels with a DPF. RN17 replaced RN0700 and RN0710 for newer engines from 2017. Shop oil for Renault, Dacia and Nissan.
Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Jeep
These engines use Fiat 9.55535 specifications, where the suffix matters, for example 9.55535-S1 or 9.55535-GSX. Match the exact code in your handbook. Shop oil for Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Jeep.
Other makes
- Volvo: many newer engines use Volvo VCC RBS0-2AE, a 0W-20 approval. See oil for Volvo.
- Jaguar and Land Rover: use their own STJLR.03 specifications, so match the exact number. See oil for Jaguar and Land Rover.
- Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and Kia: usually list an API or ILSAC rating with a low-viscosity grade such as 0W-20. See Toyota and Lexus, Honda and Hyundai and Kia.
Frequently asked questions
Will a non-approved oil void my warranty?
A manufacturer can refuse a warranty claim for damage caused by oil that does not meet its requirement. Use oil carrying the approval in your handbook and keep your receipts.
Can one oil carry several approvals?
Yes. Many oils are approved by several manufacturers at once, for example VW 504 00 / 507 00, BMW Longlife-04 and MB 229.51 together. Every approval is listed on our product pages.
Where do I find my approval?
In your owner's handbook or service book, usually in the technical data or servicing section. If you cannot find it, use our oil finder or contact us with your registration.