OEMs ask API for ILSAC GF-5 Plus LSPI standard by January 1, 2018
The American Petroleum Insitute (API), which licenses ILSAC GF-5, has received a request from vehicle OEMs to supplement the current specification with a Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI) performance test requirement.
The request dated July 20, 2017, which was signed by Ron Romano of Ford Motor Co., chairman of the ILSAC/Alliance LWG, also included FCA US LLC, Toyota Motor Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Honda Motor Co. Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., General Motors Co., Mazda Motor Corporation, Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., Subaru Corporation and Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd.
“I’m writing this on behalf of the companies copied below to formally request that the American Petroleum Institute (API) develop a supplement to the existing ILSAC GF-5 Standard to include Low Speed Pre-ignition (LSPI) protection,” Romano wrote.
“We request this supplement include all the performance requirements presently in ILSAC GF-5 plus the Ford Low Speed Pre-ignition Engine test with a maximum average number of events of 5. SAE 0W-16 should be included in this supplement.”
Romano said “there is an immediate need for preventive action to reduce/eliminate the occurrence of oil derived low-speed engine pre-ignition,” which is a concern to these OEMs.
“This is needed to protect the numerous turbocharged direct injection engine powered vehicles on the road today that are experiencing and being damaged by LSPI. Due to delays in the development of ILSAC GF-6 we feel it is necessary to incorporate LSPI protection into a category/standard as soon as possible.”
In response to the letter, the API Lubricants Group has agreed to convene a Standards Meeting on August 15 to discuss the request.
The OEMs have requested that first licensing of this supplemental category/standard be implemented by January 1, 2018. A draft of the ILSAC GF-5 Plus standard can be downloaded here.
“We feel this is achievable since the Low Speed Pre-ignition Test has already been developed and approved to be published as an ASTM procedure and candidate testing can start immediately,” said Romano.
