Introducing The New ILSAC GF-6 And API SP Specifications

With the new ILSAC GF-6 and API SP specification introduced on May 1, 2020, I would like to cover this topic in this article. I will give you a ‘bird-eye view’ of these new standards and how it can benefit you in the short-term.

Why Do We Need the New ILSAC GF-6 and API SP Motor Oil Standards?

In response to the request from automakers to introduce more robust engine oils that would be capable of meeting the needs of current and future gasoline engines of different type of engines, American Petroleum Institute (API) collaborated with vehicle manufacturers to develop a new performance standards.

ILSAC GF-6

ILSAC GF-6 will replace the GF-5 category and is divided into two separate sub-categories:

• GF-6A: Fully backward-compatible for older vehicles that previously used GF-5 oils.
• GF-6B: Covers the new, lower-viscosity oil grade OW-16 and will NOT be backward-compatible in most cases (unless specified by the OEM).

API SP

API SP is the newest service category. ILSAC GF-6 applies to the fuel-efficient viscosity grades, while API SP applies to those heavier viscosity grades like SAE 10W40 and 20W50.

What You Need to Know About ILSAC GF-6 and API SP

The development of API SP was done over the course of seven years. In that time, seven new engine tests were developed, evaluated, and measured for precision to demonstrate that oils can meet the more stringent requirements.

Benefits of the GF-6 and API SP Motor Oil Standards:

Some of the most important benefits include:

• Decreased greenhouse gas emissions
• Improved fuel economy
• Increased ability for OEMs to comply with environmental regulations
• Improved wear protection, especially for newer engine technologies
• Reduced sludge formation and varnish deposits for start-stop engines
• Protection from the LSPI phenomenon in TGDI engines

Trisonic™ newly launched UltiMach 100SYN XP FE Low Viscosity 0W-20 fully synthetic motor oils with robust additive technology that exceeds the new industry standards was designed to protect the unique needs of today’s high-revving, high-performance engines even under extreme conditions.