Getting Up To Speed on ILSAC GF-6
Learn about ILSAC GF-6, the new motor oil specification. See how Quaker State is protecting the performance of your engine and which products are ILSAC GF-6 compliant.
As engine hardware is updated to achieve greater fuel economy and meet emission regulations, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) incorporated new engines powered by smaller, Turbocharged Direct Gasoline Injection (TDGI) engines. These engines in turn require increased protection against Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI), cleanliness and better wear protection, thus calling for a new motor oil specification. Quaker State has products that meet the new specification and is here to answer your questions about ILSAC GF-6.
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What is “GF-6”?
ILSAC GF-6 is the name of the next ILSAC standard for passenger car motor oils. Drivers for its development include the ongoing push for greater fuel economy and lowered emissions. The resulting effect is engine downsizing with higher power output which has grown the application of Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection (TGDI) engines. TGDI engines require increased protection against Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI), improvement in cleanliness and protection against timing chain wear.
Much like the current American Petroleum Institute (API) specifications for heavy-duty engine oils (CK-4/FA-4), GF-6 is divided into two sub-categories. The distinction between the two is as follows:
- GF-6A: Backward-compatible standard for SAE 0W-20, SAE 5W-20, SAE 0W-30, SAE 5W-30, and SAE 10W-30, but not SAE 0W-16. This standard utilizes the starburst symbol for licensing on labels.
- GF-6B: New standard for SAE 0W-16 ONLY, developed to meet the needs of specific modern engines. This standard is not backward-compatible to previous categories and has a new shield licensing symbol on labels.
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Does Quaker State offer any motor oils that meet ILSAC GF-6?
Quaker State has completed the ILSAC GF-6 testing protocol for designated products within the brand’s portfolio. The testing protocol is outlined by eight engine tests, seven of which are new. Test results determine whether a motor oil meets one of the standard’s two sub-categories, ILSAC GF-6A (which is backward-compatible to ILSAC GF-5 oils) and ILSAC GF-6B (specifically for SAE 0W-16).
The following Quaker State brand motor oils meet the new ILSAC GF-6 standard:
ILSAC GF-6A:
- Quaker State® Full Synthetic Motor Oils: SAE-0W-20, SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 and SAE 10W-30
- Quaker State® High Mileage™ Full Synthetic Motor Oils: SAE 0W-20, SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 and SAE 10W-30
- Quaker State® Synthetic Motor Oils: SAE 0W-20, SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 and SAE 10W-30
- Quaker State® High Mileage™ Motor Oils: SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 and SAE 10W-30
- Quaker State® Motor Oils: SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 and SAE 10W-30
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Why does the industry need a new ILSAC standard?
As Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) continue to strive for increased fuel economy and compliance with emission regulations, needs for new motor oil standards arise.
To increase fuel economy and power, many OEMs began using Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection (TGDI) engines, some of which are susceptible to the Low Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI) phenomenon. Motor oils can be reformulated to help prevent LSPI, and the American Petroleum Institute (API) made the decision in 2017 to introduce a supplemental service category (API SN PLUS) to address this need while the new ILSAC GF-6 standard was developed. The ILSAC GF-6 standard includes SAE 0W-16, addresses LSPI, protection against timing chain wear, improved cleanliness and fuel economy enhancements.
ILSAC has always tried to make its standards “evergreen,” which means they are backward-compatible. What that means is when a new standard is activated, the previous standard becomes obsolete, so the latest standard meets the needs of both new and prior engine technologies.
Additionally, previous ILSAC standards (such as GF-5) did not include the SAE 0W-16 viscosity grade which will become more prevalent in the future. This new SAE 0W-16 viscosity is not intended for use in most older engines, as most older engines are not equipped to operate with a lubricant at such a low viscosity. For this reason, ILSAC determined the need for an ILSAC GF-6A standard, which is backward-compatible, and an ILSAC GF-6B standard, which is ONLY for SAE 0W-16. Oils meeting the GF-6B standard are NOT backward-compatible (unless specified by an OEM), and this distinction is noted clearly on motor oil labels.
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What about API SN PLUS? Will ILSAC GF-6 replace it?
ILSAC GF-6 is a direct replacement for the ILSAC GF-5 performance standard – not for the API SN PLUS service category.
API SN PLUS is a supplemental service category that API adopted to provide conumers with motor oils that helped reduce the occurrence of Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI) in smaller, TGDI engines. API just introduced a new API service category, “SP,” which is derived from ILSAC GF-6 and licensed to motor oils for gasoline engines. While API SP is backwards-compatible to previous API service categories, motor oils will still be able to be licensed as meeting the API SN PLUS, SN, SM, SL or SJ categories. API allows licensed motor oils to display the API “donut,” which indicates which API service category the motor oil meets.
Background:
ILSAC standards and API service categories are separate but interrelated. The automotive and motor oil industries work together to define a new ILSAC standard. Once the standard is appoved by ILSAC and API, API manages licensing for the ILSAC starburst, a Registered Mark that clearly identifies passenger car engine oils meeting the latest ILSAC performance standard.
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Why is a GF-6B standard necessary?
ILSAC has always tried to make its standards “evergreen,” which means they are backward-compatible. What that means is when a new standard is activated, the previous standard becomes obsolete. This latest standard meets the needs of both new and prior engine technologies. However, the new SAE 0W-16 viscosity grade has not been specified for most older engines, as most older engines are not equipped to operate with a lubricant at such a low viscosity.
For this reason, ILSAC determined the need for an ILSAC GF-6A standard, which is backward-compatible, and an ILSAC GF-6B standard, which is ONLY for SAE 0W-16. Oils meeting the GF-6B standard are NOT backward-compatible (unless specified by an OEM), and this distinction is noted clearly on motor oil labels.
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What is Low-Speed Pre-Ignition?
Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI) is an abnormal combustion phenomenon typically observed at low engine speeds and high loads in which the fuel/air mixture in the combustion chambers ignites before spark timing. LSPI can cause engine knock and in severe cases, catastrophic engine failure.
There are multiple theories about what causes LSPI in downsized Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection (TGDI) engines, although it is widely accepted that motor oils can play a role. Research has shown that during LSPI, a drop of oil in the cylinder may be combining with fuel droplets to create hot spots in the combustion chamber and prompting ignition before spark timing is intended to occur. Research has also shown that motor oils can be reformulated to significantly reduce their contribution to LSPI, which was the goal of the API SN PLUS supplemental service category introduced in 2018. (GM had already chosen to address LSPI with the introduction of its dexos1™ Gen 2 specification, which went into effect September 2011).
The ILSAC GF-6 standard is also designed to addresses the impact of LSPI in downsized TGDI engines.
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How do I know if my car needs an ILSAC GF-6 motor oil?
If your car previously used ILSAC GF-5 oil, you are able to use ILSAC GF-6A specific motor oils, because they are backwards-compatible with the old specification.
For vehicles that recommend SAE 0W-16 motor oils, you can use ILSAC GF-6B specific motor oils, which are NOT backwards compatible.
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How will I know if a motor oil is ILSAC GF-6 compliant?
To find out if a motor oil is ILSAC GF-6A compliant, the label on the bottle will have the current ILSAC starburst symbol. For ILSAC GF-6B compliant oils, look for the new ILSAC GF-6B “shield” on the labels of bottles that have SAE 0W-16 viscosity grade.
Getting Up To Speed on ILSAC GF-6