Originally Posted by
Dave T
The Dexos standard is perplexing to me. In 2011, Saab changed oil specifications from GM LL-A-025 to Dexos 2. Diesels had a GM LL-B-025 specification. Supposedly, Dexos 2 was backwards compatible. I have doubts about that. The reason for doubt is that before oil meeting GM LL-A-025 were often also had approvals such as Mercedes Benz 229.3/229.5, Porsche A40, and BMW LL-01. For example, it was said that Saab 0W-30 oil was a repackaged Mobil 1 and later Saab Turbo 0W-40 oil was also Mobil 1. Whatever the case, Mobil 1 0W-40 did have the GM, Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche approvals as well as ACEA A3/B4. Now Mobil 1 FS 5W-30 oil is Dexos 2 approved but also a Ford WSS specification and ACEA A5/B5 but lack ACEA A3/B4, Mercedes Benz, or Porsche approvals. Note that ACEA A5/B5 is not necessarily better than A3/B4 and may be worse.
What is a Saab owner, particularly a 2003-2010 Saab 9-3 owner to do? I speculate that an oil like Mobil 1 0W-40 or Castrol Edge 0W-40, both available in the US, would be a good choice. In England, the choice of oil is slightly different. I would look for a ACEA A3/B4 oil and, if possible, an oil with Mercedes Benz 229.5 and Porsche A40 approval. BMW oil approvals are a mess and should be ignored. In the US, there's BMW Longlife-01 but there's conflicting reports of different (not better) BMW standards, such as BMW LL-17+FE, BMW LL-14, BMW LL-04, BMW LL-01FE, BMW LL-01, etc.