Consumers expect trustworthy lubricant performance in their vehicles. Oils that comply with specific standards offer end users assurance that they have made the right choice. The International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) issues GF- engine oil specifications to allow for improvements in fuel economy, emission system protection and engine oil robustness for gasoline engines. Oils meeting the ILSAC standard are identified by a certification mark, the ILSAC starburst. ILSAC GF, along with the API S categories, represent the primary engine standards in North America.
ILSAC GF-6A and GF-6B
ILSAC GF-6 actually encompasses two potential specifications: GF-6A and GF-6B. The principal difference between the two categories of oils concerns viscosity grade and high temperature, high shear (HTHS) performance. GF-6B oils would provide the same performance as GF-6A, but with the added aim of lower HTHS to deliver potential further fuel economy benefits. This offers the possibility of potential GF-6B oils operating at viscosity ranges of less than 0W-20 once these new viscosity grades are defined and accepted by SAE.
More about ILSAC GF-6A
The proposed ILSAC GF-6A specification would replace the current ILSAC GF-5 specification, represented by the Starburst/Certification Trademark, and would provide a new performance level of an engine oil for spark-ignited internal combustion engines. The final standard would have to result in a balance among these equally important needs listed below. This performance standard would provide improvements relative to ILSAC GF-5 in the following categories:
- Fuel economy and fuel economy retention
- Engine oil robustness to provide performance levels required to protect engines in the global markets
- Adjustments in physical limits to allow improved performance while maintaining overall durability performance
More specifically, beyond ILSAC GF-5 requirements, ILSAC GF-6A would incorporate:
- Increased fuel economy throughout the oil change interval. Fuel consumption remains a critical issue for automotive and oil industry customers and automotive manufacturers are facing increasingly stringent regulatory requirements
- Enhanced oil robustness for spark-ignited internal combustion engines is required to ensure acceptable engine oil performance required for regional markets (NA, Japan, Europe, etc.) due to service requirements, fuel, environment, etc.
- Formulations to ensure against the occurrence of engine oil caused low-speed engine pre-ignition. To improve overall vehicle fuel efficiency, automotive manufacturers are planning for increased numbers of smaller displacement, boosted intake engines which may be susceptible to LSPI.
- Provide wear protection for various engine components including timing chains, valve train components, etc. including components in Idle Stop engines, PHEV, EREV, HEV (frequent starts, starts after extended periods of downtime, etc.)
- Minimum HTHS150 of 2.6 mPa-sec
More about ILSAC GF-6B
The proposed ILSAC GF-6B oils would provide the same performance as GF-6A, but with the added aim of lower HTHS to deliver potential further fuel economy benefits. This offers the possibility of potential GF-6B oils operating at viscosity ranges of less than 0W-20 once these new viscosity grades are defined and accepted by SAE.
