The industry demands engine protection

OEMs Request a Change

The increasing impact of low speed pre-ignition (LSPI) has prompted original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to request immediate implementation of a supplement to ILSAC GF-5 to protect turbo gasoline direct injected (TGDI) engines from catastrophic damage. The proposed API SN Plus supplement is not a new category and will be available alongside the current API SN and ILSAC GF-5 categories.   This unprecedented request from OEMs highlights the severity of low speed pre-ignition (LSPI) and confirms the immediate need for higher performing lubricants to protect against damage.

SN Plus Supplement Proposal

The SN Plus designation will appear in API donut symbols sometime in the second quarter of 2018 and will be a voluntary category along alongside current API SN and ILSAC GF-5 licensing. The only additional requirements for adoption of the supplement include:

• Finalizing the LSPI test (now called Sequence IX)
• Establishing base oil interchange (BOI) and viscosity grade read-across (VGRA) guidelines for product formulations

What's Next?

Lubrizol continues to advocate to “Change the Industry Model.” The SN Plus Supplement is an example of category complexity that the industry must now manage. The impact of the delay in GF-6 is far reaching and exemplifies the need for earlier, pro-active collaboration between OEMs, oil marketers and additive suppliers. Warranty costs will increase. Oil reformulation and testing to solve engine design challenges can be expensive. These costs can be avoided by engaging oil marketers earlier during the development of new hardware technology.

For more information about LSPI and TGDI engine lubrication needs click here, or contact your Lubrizol representative.