A new American Petroleum Institute (API) Service Category and two new ILSAC standards were approved for first licensing on May 1, 2020. The new specifications include the API SP Service Category and the International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee (ILSAC) standards GF-6A and GF-6B.
Motor oils meeting these specifications provide improvements over the previous in the areas of fuel economy and fuel economy retention, emission system compatibility, and wear protection.
The articles and links that follow provide information and insights about the new API SP service category and ILSAC standards.
The New API SP/ILSAC GF-6A Motor Oils are Now on Store Shelves
Although the new API SP/ILSAC GF-6A and GF-6B standards were approved for first licensing on May 1, 2020, motor oils with these standards have been hard to find on retail shelves. But it is not unusual for it to take several months from first allowable use date for new specifications to migrate into retail stores. This is because it takes time for blenders to cycle through inventory of both finished products and labels. In addition, the cycling time was prolonged this year as a result of slower than usual inventory turns among blenders and retailers due to the decline in demand for motor oil caused by the pandemic.
This six-page laminated guide is designed to help consumers understand the API Engine Oil Quality Marks—the API Certification Mark “Starburst,” the API Certification Mark “Shield” and the API Service Symbol “Donut”—and the API Service Categories. A downloadable Motor Oil Guide shelf card is available in PDF format.
Phillips 66 Educational Videos About the New API SP and ILSAC GF-6A/6B Specifications
Beginning on May 1, 2020, new performance specifications will start to appear on the labels of passenger car motor oil. The new specifications include International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee (ILSAC) GF-6A, GF-6B, and the API SP. Motor oils meeting these specifications provide improvements over the previous in the areas of fuel economy and fuel economy retention, emission system compatibility, and wear protection.
Understanding PQIA’s reach in getting the word out about motor oil related issues, Phillips 66, a long-time supporter of PQIA, reached out to us suggesting we include its series of educational videos about GF-6 on the PQIA website.
Dr. Scott McQueen, Manager, Lubricants Research and Product Management for Phillips 66, says the videos were produced by Phillips 66 for installers and others in the field needing a quick way to get their team up to speed on GF-6. To this, Dr. McQueen added, “We feel education is critical as it pertains to the oil standards and what they mean for our customers and end consumers. Significant technology goes into formulating engine oils that protect and maximize the performance of the engines OEMs are manufacturing today. As a supporter of PQIA, oil quality and correct licensing are important to Phillips 66 and our industry.”
PQIA encourages consumers to view the videos to learn more about the new passenger car motor oil specifications and what they mean. Because motor oils are not all the same, and using the wrong motor oil in a vehicle can void its warranty and potentially cause harm, it’s crucial to be up to speed on API specifications.
PQIA Quick Reference Guides
PQIA Quick Reference Guides cover a variety of oil motor oil, transmission fluid, and coolant topics. They are presented in a handy format ideal for those who both sell and buy lubricants. Written by recognized experts, the guides provide fundamental information on specifications, testing, and other topics. The guides are also available on the PQIA website and new guides will be added.
The following Quick Reference Guide shows a timeline of motor oil specification development. As shown, the most current API Service Category is “SP.” The most current ILSAC Standards are ILSAC GF-6A and ILSAC GF-6B.
