The American Petroleum Institute has announced the approval of
improved performance standards for engine oils designed to provide greater protection and fuel efficiency for today’s gasoline-engine-powered cars and trucks.
Two of the new standards – ILSAC GF-6A and GF-6B – are the latest
in a line of more stringent performance specifications put forward
by the International Lubricant Standardization Advisory Committee (ILSAC), and a third standard, AP SP, is API’s latest engine oil performance
standard. API SP includes all of the ILSAC requirements while at the same time provides performance requirements for oils that do not fall
under ILSAC-member recommendations. The new standards specify
more stringent engine oil performance requirements for spark-ignited internal combustion engines. All three of these standards can be licensed under API’s Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System beginning May 1, 2020.
“API developed these new performance standards in response to a request from automakers to introduce more robust engine oils that would be capable of meeting the needs of current and future gasoline engines. ILSAC GF6A, GF-6B and API SP represent the fruits of the oil, additive and automobile industries’ labors to introduce such essential products
for the people who use these vehicles every day,” said Kevin Ferrick, director, API Product Programs.
The development of these standards was done over the course of seven years, during which seven new tests were developed, evaluated, and measured for precision. Companies ran tests to demonstrate that oils can meet the more stringent requirements . Once developed, licensed oils that meet the ILSAC GF-6A standard will be allowed to display the API Certification Mark “Starburst” and may be used where oils meeting GF-5
or earlier gasoline engine oil standards had been recommended. Oils that meet ILSAC GF-6B will be allowed to display a new mark, the API Certification Mark “Shield,”and may be used where SAE 0W16 oils meeting API SN had been recommended. API is introducing this new “Shield” at the request of automakers to prevent confusion and ensure that 0W-16 oils are used only in applications where they are recommended.
