MTU oil category 2.1 vs 3.1: which engine oil does your MTU engine need?
MTU Category 2.1 and 3.1 are low-SAPS multigrade engine oil categories, sitting alongside Category 2 ('higher quality') and Category 3 ('highest quality').[1]
MTU's fluids specification A001061/46E (2026-01) lists Rubia Works 4000 15W-40 under Category 2.1, and Rubia Works 5000 10W-40 and 5000 FE 5W-30 under Category 3.1.[1]
Some Series 4000 engines accept only Category 3 or 3.1 oils in SAE 5W-40, 10W-40 or 15W-40, so check your engine model before choosing.[1]
Published · Updated · How did we check this? · Pack sizes and prices
Approval status at a glance
Four status levels: OEM-approved (OEM list); TotalEnergies-reported suitable; Meets stated performance (TotalEnergies claim); Confirm in your equipment manual. Where the TotalEnergies product list and data sheet disagree, we show the data sheet’s wording.
RUBIA WORKS 4000 15W-40 SAE 15W-40 · MTU Category 2.1
OEM-approved (OEM list)
Wording: “MTU Category 2.1” (note: listed under Manufacturer approvals on the TotalEnergies data sheet)
Source: TotalEnergies data sheet, last updated Jul 2026; Also on MTU Fluids and Lubricants Specifications A001061/46E (2026-01): Category 2.1 table, marked 2) (also approved for Series 60); TotalEnergies product list supplied to Bulk Lubricants Australia, Oct 2026
RUBIA WORKS 5000 10W-40 SAE 10W-40 · MTU Category 3.1
OEM-approved (OEM list)
Wording: “MTU Category 3.1” (note: listed under Manufacturer approvals on the TotalEnergies data sheet)
Source: TotalEnergies data sheet, last updated Jan 2025; Also on MTU Fluids and Lubricants Specifications A001061/46E (2026-01): Category 3.1 table; TotalEnergies product list supplied to Bulk Lubricants Australia, Oct 2026
RUBIA WORKS 5000 FE 5W-30 SAE 5W-30 · MTU Category 3.1
OEM-approved (OEM list)Confirm in your equipment manual
Wording: “MTU Category 3.1” (note: listed under Manufacturer approvals on the TotalEnergies data sheet)
Source: TotalEnergies data sheet, last updated Sep 2023; Also on MTU Fluids and Lubricants Specifications A001061/46E (2026-01): Category 3.1 table; TotalEnergies product list supplied to Bulk Lubricants Australia, Oct 2026
Confirm in your equipment manual: SAE 5W-30 is not one of the viscosities MTU allows in Series 4000 C64, T94, T94L, R64, R74, R84, Cx5 or Tx5 engines (5W-40, 10W-40 or 15W-40 only).
What's the difference between MTU Category 2.1 and 3.1?
MTU ranks its approved diesel engine oils: Category 1 is standard quality, 2 higher quality and 3 highest quality. Categories 2.1 and 3.1 are multigrade oils with a low ash-forming additive content (low SAPS): low sulphur and phosphorus, and sulphated ash of 1% or less.[1]
| Category 2.1 | Category 3.1 | |
|---|---|---|
| MTU description | Multigrade, low SAPS | Multigrade, low SAPS |
| Quality tier it pairs with | Category 2 (higher quality) | Category 3 (highest quality) |
| Rubia Works grades in MTU's table | Rubia Works 4000 15W-40 (comment 2: also approved for Series 60) | Rubia Works 5000 10W-40, Rubia Works 5000 FE 5W-30 |
| Fuel sulphur | No more than 50 mg/kg | No more than 50 mg/kg |
Which oils can go in an MTU Series 4000 C, R or T engine?
MTU restricts them. Series 4000 C64, T94 and T94L may use only Category 3 or 3.1 oils, and R64, R74 and R84 only Category 3.1, in SAE 5W-40, 10W-40 or 15W-40. Cx5 and Tx5 engines may use Category 2.1, 3 or 3.1 in the same three viscosities. MTU sets a maximum oil service life of 1000 operating hours for these engines.[1]
| Series 4000 engines | MTU allows | Rubia Works 4000 15W-40 (2.1) | Rubia Works 5000 10W-40 (3.1) | Rubia Works 5000 FE 5W-30 (3.1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C64, T94, T94L | Category 3 or 3.1; SAE 5W-40, 10W-40, 15W-40 | No (Category 2.1) | Yes | No (SAE 5W-30) |
| R64, R74, R84 | Category 3.1 only; SAE 5W-40, 10W-40, 15W-40 | No (Category 2.1) | Yes | No (SAE 5W-30) |
| Cx5, Tx5 | Category 2.1, 3 or 3.1; SAE 5W-40, 10W-40, 15W-40 | Yes | Yes | No (SAE 5W-30) |
Can I use a Category 3.1 oil where 2.1 is specified?
Check your engine's manual. MTU sets oil rules series by series, and we found no blanket statement in A001061/46E that a 3.1 oil can replace a 2.1 oil everywhere.(our interpretation)
Why does MTU require low-sulphur fuel for 2.1 and 3.1 oils?
MTU says low-SAPS oils 'are only approved if the sulfur content in the fuel does not exceed 50 mg/kg'. MTU also says they are advisable in engines with diesel particulate filters.[1]
- MTU states: 'Mixing different engine oils is strictly prohibited!'[1]
- For Deutz engines in the same fleet, see the Deutz DQC III-18 LA vs IV-18 LA guide.(our interpretation)
Supply
Pack sizes and prices from Bulk Lubricants Australia
Choose by your engine series first, then by category and viscosity. For a Series 4000 C, R or T engine, the table above rules out the 5W-30.(our interpretation) Rubia Works 4000 15W-40 comes in drums; Rubia Works 5000 10W-40 and Rubia Works 5000 FE 5W-30 come in 20 L packs and drums. Each is quoted per order, for collection from Maddington (Perth) or freight Australia-wide. Status details are in the panel above.
RUBIA WORKS 4000 15W-40 SAE 15W-40
- MTU Category 2.1: OEM-approved (OEM list)
Pack sizes: Drum
Request a price for RUBIA WORKS 4000 15W-40 SAE 15W-40RUBIA WORKS 5000 10W-40 SAE 10W-40
- MTU Category 3.1: OEM-approved (OEM list)
Pack sizes: 20L, Drum
Request a price for RUBIA WORKS 5000 10W-40 SAE 10W-40RUBIA WORKS 5000 FE 5W-30 SAE 5W-30
- MTU Category 3.1: OEM-approved (OEM list)
Pack sizes: 20L, Drum
Request a price for RUBIA WORKS 5000 FE 5W-30 SAE 5W-30How did we check this?
On 24 Oct 2026 we read MTU's Fluids and Lubricants Specifications A001061/46E (2026-01), including the Category 2.1 and 3.1 tables and their comments (comment 2 marks oils also approved for Series 60). We also read the Series 4000 restrictions, and compared everything with each Rubia Works data sheet and the TotalEnergies product list supplied to us.
Found an error or a newer list? Email quotes@bulklubricants.com.au with the source and we’ll review this page.
Where does this information come from?
- Rolls-Royce Solutions (MTU): Fluids and Lubricants Specifications A001061/46E, 2026-01 (PDF)
- TotalEnergies data sheet: Rubia Works 4000 15W-40, last updated Jul 2026 (PDF)
- TotalEnergies data sheet: Rubia Works 5000 10W-40, last updated Jan 2025 (PDF)
- TotalEnergies data sheet: Rubia Works 5000 FE 5W-30, last updated Sep 2023 (PDF)
- TotalEnergies product list supplied to Bulk Lubricants Australia, Oct 2026 (not public)