ILSAC GF-6 first licensing date is May 2020

On 4 April 2019, the latest ILSAC engine oil performance standards were approved for ballot by API’s Lubricants Standards Group. The motion to ballot ILSAC GF-6A, GF-6B and API SP was proposed by Mike Alessi, seconded by Bill O’Ryan, and passed unanimously by voice vote.

The ballot will consider the adoption of ILSAC GF-6A, Revision 17, and ILSAC GF-6B, Revision 25 (as accepted by AOAP on 3 April 2019) into API 1509 Annex Q, and includes a proposed first licensing date of 1 May 2020. The Lubricant Standards Group also agreed unanimously to ballot API SP and API SP with Resource Conserving User Language, and Annex G Table G-6, within the same timeframe.

New engine technology requires more robust engine oils for protection. The GF-6 engine oil category dictates minimum performance standards for engine oils and includes enhanced low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) protection, fuel efficiency improvements and greater defence against engine wear, particularly for use in spark-ignited internal combustion engines. The introduction of two separate sub-categories, ILSAC GF-6A and ILSAC GF-6B, accommodates lower viscosity grades. GF-6B will enable OEMs to introduce oils with viscosity grades lower than SAE 0W-20 and will be identified with a new symbol to prevent misapplication.

Votes and comments on ILSAC GF-6A, GF-6B and API SP must be received through the API Ballot System before the closing date on 6 May 2019. If approved, the balloted change will be effective as of 4 April 2019.