API Announces Improved Gasoline Engine Oil Standards

The American Petroleum Institute (API) has announced the formal approval of ILSAC GF-7A and GF-7B motor oils for gasoline powered engines.

The oils are the most recent in a line of more stringent performance specifications put forward by the International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee (ILSAC).

API SQ, API’s latest engine oil performance standard that includes ultra-low-viscosity grades such as SAE 0W-8 and SAE 0W-12, will launch simultaneously with ILSAC GF-7.

All three gasoline engine oil standards will be licensed under API’s Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System beginning March 31.

“API has been diligently working with ILSAC and industry stakeholders to develop new oils to meet the needs of the current and future engine technologies to comply with upcoming regulations,” said Bill O’Ryan, senior manager – EOLCS/DEF with API. “The committee has aligned on these next-generation oils that will help provide improved fuel efficiency, engine protection and reduced emissions.”

ILSAC GF-7 is the next generation of gasoline engine oil standards, designed to meet rigorous fuel economy and emissions reduction targets for model year 2026 vehicles and beyond, according to the institute. The new specification offers improved engine protection, fuel efficiency and emission performance for technologically advanced engines designed to meet the stricter regulatory demands from the EPA.

API SQ Resource Conserving matches all ILSAC requirements, while API SQ (without Resource Conserving) provides performance requirements for oils that do not fall under ILSAC OEM recommendations.

Licensed oils that meet the ILSAC GF-7A standard will be allowed to display the API Certification Mark “starburst” and may be used where oils meeting GF-6A or earlier gasoline engine oil standards had been recommended.

Oils that meet ILSAC GF-7B will be allowed to display the API Certification Mark “shield.” The shield helps to prevent confusion and ensure that SAE 0W-16 oils are used only in applications where they are recommended.

API has opened the portal for oil marketers to submit their GF-7/API SQ products before first licensing on March 31.

API standards are developed under API’s American National Standards Institute accredited process, which ensures that API standards are recognized not only for their technical rigor but also for their third-party accreditation, which facilitates acceptance by state, federal and increasingly international regulators. API’s GIS division is responsible for standards setting, certification, training, events, publications and safety programs for industry operations.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry and was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization. It has developed more than 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.