a. Mineral Engine Oils

• Conventional Mineral Oil: Basic oil derived from refined crude oil, suitable for older vehicles or engines with lower performance needs.
• High Mileage Mineral Oil: Designed for vehicles with higher mileage (over 100,000 km), containing additives to reduce oil consumption and improve sealing in aging engines.

b. Synthetic Engine Oils

• Fully Synthetic Oil: Made from chemically engineered base oils, fully synthetic oils offer the highest level of performance and protection, especially important for modern engines found in many cars in Ireland.
• Semi-Synthetic Oil (Synthetic Blend): A blend of mineral and synthetic oils, offering improved protection over conventional oils but at a lower cost than fully synthetic options.
• Low SAPS Oil: A low ash, phosphorus, and sulfur oil, required for modern engines with particulate filters, including diesel engines common in Ireland.

c. Diesel Engine Oils

• Heavy-Duty Diesel Oil: Formulated for larger diesel vehicles such as trucks, agricultural machinery, and buses. Provides superior protection in high-load, high-temperature environments.
• Light-Duty Diesel Oil: Suitable for diesel engines in cars and light commercial vehicles. Designed to protect against soot and carbon build-up.

d. High-Performance Oils

• Racing Oil: Specialized oils used in high-performance or motorsport applications. These oils provide superior thermal stability and wear protection under extreme conditions.
• Eco-Friendly Engine Oil: Oils designed to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions, especially important for newer vehicles aimed at meeting stringent EU emissions regulations.

2. Viscosity Grades (SAE Ratings) Commonly Used in Ireland

Given the relatively mild but variable climate in Ireland, multigrade oils are the most commonly used to cater to varying temperatures throughout the year.

a. Low Viscosity Oils

• SAE 0W-20: Ultra-low viscosity oil that provides excellent protection during cold starts, especially in newer petrol and hybrid vehicles.
• SAE 5W-20: Thin oil that provides good fuel economy, ideal for modern petrol engines.

b. Medium Viscosity Oils

• SAE 5W-30: One of the most popular oils in Ireland, used in both petrol and diesel engines. It offers a good balance of protection for colder starts and high-temperature performance.
• SAE 10W-30: Slightly thicker oil used in older vehicles or those that require more protection at higher temperatures.
• SAE 5W-40: Provides better protection at higher temperatures, often used in diesel engines and vehicles driven under heavier loads.

c. High Viscosity Oils

• SAE 10W-40: Popular for older diesel engines and vehicles with higher mileage, providing better lubrication and protection against wear.
• SAE 15W-40: Commonly used in diesel trucks, farm vehicles, and older cars. It offers excellent high-temperature protection.
• SAE 20W-50: A thick oil typically used in older engines or in vehicles subject to heavy-duty use.

3. European Standards and Specifications in Ireland

Engine oils in Ireland must comply with European standards to ensure they are suitable for vehicles commonly found in the region, such as those produced by manufacturers like Volkswagen, Ford, BMW, and Renault.

a. ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association) Standards

• ACEA A1/B1: Low-friction oils for improving fuel efficiency in petrol and light-duty diesel engines.
• ACEA A3/B3: Oils for high-performance petrol and light-duty diesel engines, suitable for extended drain intervals.
• ACEA A3/B4: Formulated for modern direct-injection diesel engines and high-performance petrol engines.
• ACEA C1, C2, C3: Low SAPS oils designed for vehicles with particulate filters (DPF/GPF) and catalytic converters, essential for modern diesel and petrol engines in Ireland.
• ACEA C4: Designed for high-performance diesel engines with DPF systems, providing excellent emissions control.
• ACEA E4, E6, E7, E9: For heavy-duty diesel engines, often used in trucks, buses, and agricultural machinery.

b. Manufacturer-Specific Standards

• Volkswagen VW 504.00 / 507.00: Long-life oils required for modern VW, Audi, Skoda, and SEAT vehicles, covering both petrol and diesel engines.
• BMW Longlife-04: Low SAPS oil specification for both petrol and diesel engines with emissions control systems, widely used in Ireland for BMW vehicles.
• Mercedes-Benz MB 229.51: Low SAPS oils compatible with modern Mercedes-Benz engines equipped with particulate filters.
• Ford WSS-M2C913-C/D: Oils that meet the specific needs of Ford engines, focusing on fuel economy and extended engine life.
• Renault RN0700/RN0710: Specific oils for Renault vehicles, designed for petrol and turbocharged engines.
• PSA Peugeot Citroën B71 2290: Low SAPS oils for modern Peugeot and Citroën diesel engines, ensuring compatibility with particulate filters.

4. Popular Engine Oil Brands in Ireland

Several major brands offer high-quality engine oils available across Ireland, serving a range of vehicles from passenger cars to heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

a. Castrol

• Castrol EDGE: A fully synthetic oil designed for high-performance engines, often recommended for vehicles requiring long-life service intervals.
• Castrol Magnatec: Known for its cling technology, which helps protect the engine during cold starts, a common concern in Ireland’s variable climate.

b. Total

• Total Quartz: A range of engine oils for petrol and diesel engines, focused on providing long-lasting protection and improving fuel economy.
• Total Rubia: Heavy-duty oils designed for trucks, agricultural machinery, and other commercial vehicles, offering extended drain intervals and enhanced wear protection.

c. Shell

• Shell Helix Ultra: Fully synthetic oil that provides top-tier performance and protection, suitable for modern petrol and diesel engines, including those with turbochargers.
• Shell Rimula: A heavy-duty oil designed for commercial diesel engines in trucks, buses, and farm equipment.

d. Mobil

• Mobil 1: Premium synthetic oil that offers excellent wear protection and extended drain intervals, commonly used in performance vehicles.
• Mobil Super: Semi-synthetic and mineral oils offering good protection for older vehicles or those with moderate performance requirements.

e. Liqui Moly

• Liqui Moly Top Tec: Known for its low SAPS content, this oil is ideal for modern diesel engines with particulate filters.
• Liqui Moly Leichtlauf: Designed for improved fuel economy and wear protection, suitable for many modern European cars.

f. Elf

• Elf Evolution: A range of synthetic and semi-synthetic oils tailored for modern European vehicles, including those with diesel engines and DPFs.
• Elf Sporti: Affordable oils for standard petrol and diesel engines, providing reliable protection for everyday driving.

g. Petronas

• Petronas Syntium: Fully synthetic oils used in high-performance vehicles, offering superior protection at extreme temperatures.
• Petronas Urania: Oils for commercial and agricultural vehicles, providing excellent protection under high stress and heavy loads.

h. Valvoline

• Valvoline SynPower: Fully synthetic oil offering advanced protection for high-performance petrol and diesel engines.
• Valvoline MaxLife: Specially formulated for higher-mileage engines, helping reduce oil consumption and restore engine performance.

5. Types of Oils for Specific Applications in Ireland

a. Passenger Cars

• Petrol Engine Oil: Standard oils designed for fuel-efficient cars, offering protection across a range of temperatures.
• Diesel Engine Oil: High-performance oils designed for modern diesel engines, especially those equipped with particulate filters.

b. Commercial and Agricultural Vehicles

• Heavy-Duty Diesel Oil: Used in trucks, buses, tractors, and other large machinery, these oils provide extended protection under severe conditions.
• Tractor Oil: Blended to meet the needs of high-performance agricultural vehicles, ensuring durability and protection under constant load.

c. Motorcycle Oils

• 4-Stroke Motorcycle Oil: Designed for motorcycles, ensuring smooth operation of both the engine and transmission.
• 2-Stroke Motorcycle Oil: Mixed with fuel, commonly used in smaller engines like scooters or chainsaws.

6. Environmental Oils

• Low SAPS Oils: Specifically designed to meet modern emissions regulations, these oils are important for vehicles with particulate filters and catalytic converters.
• Biodegradable Oils: Environmentally friendly oils used in specific applications like agriculture, where spillages can affect local ecosystems.

7. Additive-Enhanced Oils

• Zinc Enhanced Oil (ZDDP): Used in older or high-performance engines to provide extra protection against wear and tear, especially in camshafts.
• Detergent Oils: Contain additives to clean engine parts, prevent sludge, and maintain engine efficiency over time.