AMSOIL has rounded out their European engine oil offerings by releasing a new “Full-SAPS” synthetic 5W-40 engine oil. The new AMSOIL European Car Formula 5W-40 “Full-SAPS” Synthetic Motor Oil (product code: EFM) is suitable for gasoline and diesel engines including turbo-charged models. It can be used where the VW 502.00, 505.00, Mercedes-Benz 229.3, 229.5 and BMW LL-01 (and several more) specifications are required.
What is “SAPS”?
SAPS refers to the sulfated ash, phosphorus, and sulfur content of a motor oil. European manufacturers base their motor oil suggestions and SAPS requirements on the emission systems and/or exhaust treatment devices equipped on each application. Some emissions components are sensitive to high SAPS content, while some vehicles are equipped with emissions equipment that may not be affected by SAPS content.
Q & A
AMSOIL has published a Q&A article that discusses why they need 3 distinct European Formula synthetic motor oils and why SAPS levels should matter to owners of European makes.
1. Question: Why did AMSOIL offer a second 5W-40 oil in the European Car Formula line?
Answer: 5W-40 continues to be the viscosity most commonly recommended by European vehicle manufacturers. However, European specifications have evolved to form three distinct categories – full, mid and low sulfated ash, phosphorus, and sulfur containing motor oils (SAPS). AMSOIL now offers two 5W-40 viscosity grade oils with different SAPS levels in the European Car Formula line. EFM covers specifications calling for a full SAPS oil, while AFL covers specifications requiring a mid SAPS oil.
2. Question: Why are different SAPS levels necessary?
Anwer: Some emissions systems and after treatment devices, such as diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and catalysts, are sensitive to the SAPS content of oil and require lower SAPS formulations, such as AFL or AEL. Many vehicles, however, are not equipped with emissions systems that are sensitive to higher SAPS levels; they are best protected by full-SAPS oils, such as EFM.
3. Question: What is the difference between EFM, AFL and AEL?
Answer: EFM, AFL and AEL are designed for full, mid and low SAPS European motor oil requirements, respectively. AMSOIL European Car Formula Motor Oils are recommended for use in vehicles calling for the following specifications:
4. Question: How does a vehicle owner know which oil to use?
Answer: AMSOIL recommends checking the owner’s manual for the recommended original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications and matching the corresponding AMSOIL product. For convenience, AMSOIL provides a comprehensive online look-up guide listing European vehicle applications.
5. Question: What are the benefits of using AMSOIL EFM?
Answer: AMSOIL EFM is a full-SAPS product that provides excellent engine wear protection, superior engine cleanliness and outstanding all season performance. It is designed for European gasoline and diesel engines including those with turbo charged engines.
6. Question: What is the recommended drain interval for AMSOIL EFM?
Answer: AMSOIL EFM is designed to provide excellent performance and viscosity retention for the long oil drain intervals recommended by European OEMs. European OEM oil change intervals often exceed 10,000 miles through the use of oil life monitoring systems.
7. Question: What package sizes are available for AMSOIL EFM?
Answer: AMSOIL EFM is offered in quarts, 5 liters, 55 gallon drums and 275 gallon totes.
8. Question: Is AMSOIL EFM compatible with other European Car Formula oils?
Answer: AMSOIL EFM is compatible with conventional and other synthetic motor oils. Mixing AMSOIL motor oils with other oils, however, will reduce the performance benefits. Aftermarket oil additives are not recommended for use with AMSOIL motor oils.
9. Question: Why does AMSOIL EFM cost less than AFL and AEL?
Answer: AMSOIL EFM costs less than AFL and AEL because full SAPS oils are less expensive to formulate compared to mid and low SAPS oils.
Oildepot is owned and operated by Marc Roden. We have been an authorized AMSOIL dealer since 2001. OilDepot offers AMSOIL products to customers in every corner of Canada and the United States. We ship from two distribution points in Canada and nine warehouses in the US.
Update May 2016: We now offer a semi-synthetic 25W-40 oil for Mercury Marine engines. Update: If you have a Mercruiser engine with flat tappet cams, read this. If you are looking for a high-quality replacement for Mercury or Quicksilver 25W-40 engine oil in your MerCruiser stern drive or inboard engine, we have the ultimate substitute….
A few months back we posted Video: Snowblower Maintenance & Storage Procedures. This video offers numerous tips on general upkeep and places special emphasis on maintenance items to perform prior to long-term storage. As it is now time to put these machines away for the season, we thought it would be a good time to…
When shopping for a new or used vehicle, naturally one will always take the prospective car or truck for a test drive. But are we always prepared for this test drive? Are we acutely aware of what to look for and what to listen to? Going into a test drive without a focus can leave…
Every year we compile a list of the most popular passenger car and diesel motor oil viscosity grades. Note that these statistics are based on Oildepot’s sales and not the motor oil industry as a whole. Passenger Car And Light-Truck Motor Oil Viscosity Listing We expected the duo of 5W-20 and 0W-20 to make further…
A reader asks: I have a question regarding 2-stroke outboard engine oil for racing. My engine is a modified, high-compression, 40-horsepower Yamaha. This motor is used only for drag racing. During races, it runs up to 8000 rpm. Would AMSOIL Dominator 2-Stroke Racing Oil work well? Or would AMSOIL Interceptor be a better option for…
Update- May, 2024– AMSOIL now offers a dedicated V-Twin Synthetic Transmission Oil. This product is identical in performance and protection to the AMSOIL V-Twin 20W-50. The V-Twin 20W-50 and the dedicated V-Twin Transmission Fluid offer identical transmission performance and protection. AMSOIL no longer lists the Severe Gear products as secondary transmission fluid options as suggested…
