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Official 2020+ EcoDiesel Oil Recommendations

143219 Views 576 Replies 52 Participants Last post by  biodiesel
Updated on 4/07/2023

Recommendation: Do NOT rely solely on this list. Always double check to make sure the following oils are current in meeting factory specifications.

The new 3rd gen (2020+) EcoDiesel has different specs than the 2nd generation (2014 - 2019) engine. The following oils have been known to meet the new MS-12991 and API SN Certification/Standard/Approval. I put them in order based on what I think are more 'commonly known', not based on preference or performance.

I will update this thread as new approved oils are added and when existing approved oils no longer meet approval. So far, I had to remove Valvoline and Liqui Moly even though both met spec at one point in time.

Mopar 68524020AA 5W-40 replaces 68231020AA
Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W-40
FRAM Full Synthetic Euro 5W-40
Quaker State Ultimate Durability EURO 5W-40
Valvoline Full Synthetic European Vehicle 5W-40
Havoline ProDS 5W-40
Castrol Edge Euro Car - 5W-40
Redline Full Synthetic 5W-40

Motul 8100 C-clean 5W-40
Motul 8100 X-cess 5W-40
Motul 8100 X-cess gen2 5W-40
TRIAX Euro LX 5W-40
TRIAX Euro Ultra VX 5W-40
Ravenol VST 5W-40
Total Quartz 9000 5W-40
ELF Evolution 900 SXR 5W-40
ELF Evolution 900 FT 5W-40
AMALIE Elixir Full Synthetic Euro 5W-40
Millers Oil Trident Fully Synthetic 5W-40
Millers Oils XF LONGLIFE 5W-40
MPT Thirty-K True Synthetic High Performance 5W-40
CAM2 Blue Blood Elite Euro 5W-40
FUCHS TITAN Supersyn SAE 5W-40
Lubrication Engineers 5w40 Monolec Ultra Syn Heavy Duty Engine Oil
REPSOL ELITE COSMOS HIGH PERFORMANCE 5W-40


The following manufacturers have given a verbal/written approval, but they have not and/or will not update the literature to reflect it.

Amsoil 5W-40 FS Synthetic European (EFM)
Liqui Moly Leichtlauf High Tech 5W-40
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The Valvoline doesn’t list 12991 in their marketing, nor does Shell list it in the Helix ultra marketing, in spite of the fact it should be the same as the Pennzoil.
The Valvoline doesn’t list 12991 in their marketing, nor does Shell list it in the Helix ultra marketing, in spite of the fact it should be the same as the Pennzoil.
I removed both of those for now. Shell confirmed that none of their products met spec.
Interestingly, had an owner post a picture of the Valvoline bottle in a Facebook group - it says MS-12991 on the bottle - it’s VALVOLINE Advanced Full Synthetic MST 5W-40. It, however, lists ACEA C3. Which has me confused, as it should have to be A3/B4 to meet the spec. I’m really not sure with that one!
Is this only for the 2020 engine?
are have the specs been upgraded (???) for the earlier engines as well
thanks
Is this only for the 2020 engine?
are have the specs been upgraded (???) for the earlier engines as well
thanks
This is specifically for the Gen 3 engine.
there are almost too many options o list for th Gen2!
Interestingly, had an owner post a picture of the Valvoline bottle in a Facebook group - it says MS-12991 on the bottle - it’s VALVOLINE Advanced Full Synthetic MST 5W-40. It, however, lists ACEA C3. Which has me confused, as it should have to be A3/B4 to meet the spec. I’m really not sure with that one!
The Valvoline MST 5W-40 was listed to meet MS-12991, but I can't remember where I found it. I don't want to put out misinformation, though. But if MS-12991 is printed on the bottle, that is enough for me to put it back on the list.
The Valvoline MST 5W-40 was listed to meet MS-12991, but I can't remember where I found it. I don't want to put out misinformation, though. But if MS-12991 is printed on the bottle, that is enough for me to put it back on the list.
It is! I have pictures! Just find it odd, that the website doesn’t even have a PI sheet showing that!
OhioTech, let me know if you find out what the dealer is using (Mopar part number).
I can pull the number. It’s Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5w40.

Incidentally, Helix being the global arm of Shell, PDS sheets from Australia show it to be MS-12991 compatible in 2015, but Euro site does not show that compatibility.
In the US, it will be branded Pennzoil or Quaker State regardless....
The Valvoline MST 5W-40 was listed to meet MS-12991, but I can't remember where I found it. I don't want to put out misinformation, though. But if MS-12991 is printed on the bottle, that is enough for me to put it back on the list.
Since it's stamped on the bottle, that's what I went with. I'm also going to keep a couple of the empty bottles on the shelf in my garage in case the dealership tries to give me any issues later down the road.
85897
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I can pull the number. It’s Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5w40.
Does Ram sell it in a Mopar bottle or does it only come in the Pennzoil bottle? If it comes in the Mopar bottle, then we need to add the Mopar part # for the oil.
Does Ram sell it in a Mopar bottle or does it only come in the Pennzoil bottle? If it comes in the Mopar bottle, then we need to add the Mopar part # for the oil.
68231020AA
Not sure what bottle it shows up in!
The SRT oil comes in Pennzoil 6 qt boxes!
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According to the Chemicals catalog, it should come in a MaxPro Mopar bottle
68231020AA
Not sure what bottle it shows up in!
The SRT oil comes in Pennzoil 6 qt boxes!
If it has a Mopar part #, then it should come in a Mopar bottle.

I will add it to the list!
Does Ram sell it in a Mopar bottle or does it only come in the Pennzoil bottle? If it comes in the Mopar bottle, then we need to add the Mopar part # for the oil.
case of 6 for 50.17 on amazon
If you schedule recurring shipments you can get it cheaper. I put myself on auto delivery for a case every 3 months and it was 43.59 for a case of 6.
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Liqui-Moly confirmed their Leichtlauf High Tech 5W-40 is suitable and meets the specification. I have asked if they can update the recommended for section of the website to include that.
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The new 3rd gen (2020+) EcoDiesel has different specs than the 2nd generation (2014 - 2019) engine. The following oils meet the new MS-12991 and API SN Certification/Standard/Approval.
So the 3rd gen EcoDiesel is running oil designed for spark ignition verses compression ignition as indicated by the API SN in your post??


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So the 3rd gen EcoDiesel is running oil designed for spark ignition verses compression ignition as indicated by the API SN in your post??


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I initially thought the same - and phrased it similarly - the oil companies have made clear that these oils are specifically designed for light duty automobiles, including diesels. It’s optimized for the issues incurred with smaller engines, as opposed to the HD class oils that meet API C class and ACEA E class specifications, which are optimized for use in OTR trucks, and effectively have to prioritize different aspects of the performance due to their use cycle.

In fact, the majority of these oils were specifically developed for use in Renault, Volkswagen, Mercedes, and PSA diesels, and the specifications they have OE approvals for indicates that!
I initially thought the same - and phrased it similarly - the oil companies have made clear that these oils are specifically designed for light duty automobiles, including diesels. It’s optimized for the issues incurred with smaller engines, as opposed to the HD class oils that meet API C class and ACEA E class specifications, which are optimized for use in OTR trucks, and effectively have to prioritize different aspects of the performance due to their use cycle.

In fact, the majority of these oils were specifically developed for use in Renault, Volkswagen, Mercedes, and PSA diesels, and the specifications they have OE approvals for indicates that!
Interesting. Any idea what issues they are referring to when comparing large OTR trucks verses smaller light duty diesels? I’m not sure I would lump light duty diesel in with spark ignition oils. Are the additive packages for SN oils that they can handle the added acidity and soot from diesels?

I wonder if this is an emissions deal? Sure the manufacturers approve, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best for the engine (just look at the EGR).


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Interesting. Any idea what issues they are referring to when comparing large OTR trucks verses smaller light duty diesels? I’m not sure I would lump light duty diesel in with spark ignition oils. Are the additive packages for SN oils that they can handle the added acidity and soot from diesels?

I wonder if this is an emissions deal? Sure the manufacturers approve, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best for the engine (just look at the EGR).


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Again, more that the majority of the oils were developed as low/mid-SAPS diesel oils for small euro diesels. Some of the differences include the OTR trucks being concerned with scuffing resistance that simply isn’t as critical on the small diesels. Most small diesels have aluminum pistons, where OTR diesels often use Steel - so the wrist pin compatibility and lubricity characteristics are different. OTR oils have different HTHS needs, due to the size of the components, and the clearances and ring tensions used.
Some oils may very well fit both, but the additives are tailored to the application. For instance, the MS-12991 oils meet SN - that’s not saying much - except that some additives are limited in quantities....

Molybdenum is pretty much unrestricted in SN. It’s the new ZDDP.

Sulfated Ash (Produced by TBN additives), Phosphorus (the P in ZDDP), and Sulfur (lubricant) are limited on most modern small diesels - the systems wont tolerate it.

TBN isn’t a huge concern on diesels. They degrade TBN very slowly.

The Oils that meet MS-12991 almost all have been developed for European market, ACEA A3/B4, or C3. In effect, it’s a high SAPS C3, or low SAPS A3/B4. It’s in the window between the 2, from what I can tell.

The marketing materials for basically every oil on that list show them suitable for gasoline and light Diesel engines!
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