April 1, 2025 BY
IN Diesel

API (American Petroleum Institute) set engine oil performance standards for both gasoline (petrol) and diesel engines. API standards for gasoline engine oil starts with the letter “S” followed by the alphabet in ascending order as the standard evolves, with the latest being API SP.

ILSAC (International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee) was founded in 1992 and developed minimum performance standards for gasoline fueled passenger car engine oils. ILSAC standards, denoted by ILSAC GF-x, are based on API service categories with additional performance requirements including fuel economy improvement and restrictions in the viscosity grades that claim to meet ILSAC standard.

From 1st May 2020, oil manufacturers could commence selling the next generation of engine oils, designed to protect the performance in today’s engines. One new API service category and two new ILSAC specifications were introduced, being API SP and ILSAC GF-6A and GF-6B. The new standards ensure engine components including emission control systems and turbochargers perform optimally.

In addition, they help vehicles meet fuel economy requirements, whilst protecting engines operating with ethanol fuels up to E85.

Standards for Petrol Engine Oils

ILSAC Standards for Passenger Car Petrol Engine Oils

ILSAC Standards for Passenger Car Petrol Engine Oils (cont.)

GF-7 licensing

ILSAC GF-7 proposed first licensing is by the end of the first quarter of 2025. GF-7 will replace the GF-6 category which was introduced in 2020. Initial request for proposed category GF-7 started in July 2023.

GF-7 changes

The principal changes in GF-7 are tighter performance demands in fuel economy (Sequence VIE) oxidation & deposit control (Sequence IIIH). Both changes are designed to help the OEMs meet the challenges of future EPA emissions targets. It ensures engines have minimal energy losses due to viscosity or friction while simultaneously enabling new engine designs to operate at even greater levels of combustion efficiency all of which increases thermal stress on the oil.