ILMA Compoundings - February 2020 - 30

is a new performance level with the
same requirements as ILSAC GF-6A,
except for fuel economy, but at a lower
viscosity level.
QUESTION 5: WHY ARE PRIOR GF
CATEGORIES OBSOLETE WHILE
OLDER API S SPECIFICATIONS ARE
STILL CURRENT?
During the update of ILSAC GF
categories, the prior category is only
valid over a one-year transition period.
This means that GF-1 to GF-4 are
obsolete and GF-5 will no longer be
recommended after May 1, 2021.
However, the API specification only
becomes obsolete when it is no longer
required or when the tests become
unavailable. This has been the case
because the ILSAC specification is
specifically designed to meet the
emission and fuel-economy regulations for North American vehicles.
OEMs would prefer that all vehicles
are upgraded to the latest lubricant

ILSAC GF-6 looks to include those improvements
for LSPI protection, but also adds other performance
improvements.
and, therefore, recommend the current
oil, which is back-serviceable to the
older engines. The API S specifications
are used globally, and some of the
older S specifications are still used in
developing countries and with engines
that don't require the current level of
fuel economy or durability.
QUESTION 6: WHAT CHANGES
HAVE THERE BEEN TO ENGINE
TESTS FOR GF-6 APPROVALS?
The new GF-6 category contains three
new tests and revisions to four others,
with only Sequence VIII remaining
unchanged.
The key challenge will be in delivering the required levels of cleanliness,
wear and pre-ignition protection to

API S specifications for cars, vans and light trucks with gasoline engines
Category

Status

API recommendation

SP

Future

SP PLUS

Current

Adds low-speed pre-ignition protection to API SN
specification

SN and SN RC

Current

For 2011 and older vehicles, designed to provide
improved high-temperature deposit protection
for pistons, more stringent sludge control and
seal stability.
API SN with Resource Conserving matches ILSAC
GF-5 by combining API SN performance with
improved fuel economy, turbocharger protection,
emission control system compatibility and protection of engines operating on ethanol containing
fuels up to E85

ensure hardware durability and, at the
same time, deliver reduced friction for
fuel-economy improvements.
QUESTION 7: WHAT ADDITIONAL
PERFORMANCE OR VALUE WILL
CUSTOMERS GAIN FROM ILSAC GF-6?
The ILSAC GF-6 engine oil specification is a noticeable upgrade from
GF-5, adding performance elements
in almost every dimension to help
protect modern engines. There is a real
opportunity here to convey the value
to your customers if you can do it in
an efficient way that resonates with
their experiences. With these oils, you
are now able to offer improved fuel
economy, better engine durability
along with LSPI and wear-protection
ILSAC GF-6 raises the bar in almost
every dimension over ILSAC GF-5

Deposits
Sludge

LSPI

Oxidation
Wear

Fuel
Economy

Aeration

SM

Current

2010 and older vehicles

SL

Current

2004 and older vehicles

SJ

Current

2001 and older vehicles

API SN-PLUS

SA-SH

Obsolete

Not recommended for modern gasoline engines

API SP

Volatility
API SN

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FEBRUARY 2020

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ILMA Compoundings - February 2020

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