History of the Performance Standards

Packaging and labelling of motor oils contains a vast variety of abbreviations. In addition to commonly used SAE API (SM 10W-30 for instance) there are also such abbreviations and acronyms as ILSAC, JASO, GF-5, GF-4. Some companies even still use the outdated GF-3 & GF-2 standards. Let's have a close look at these standards, the organisations in charge of setting them up and how these standards affect the characteristics of the motor oil used in your vehicle. Prior to 1992 there were only three organisations (known as tripartite system) that set standards for oil quality and performance, and classified oils for passenger cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles.

Question: What organisations formed this tripartite system?

MITASU OIL expert opinion: One of these organisations is the American Petroleum Institute (API – American Petroleum Institute). API is a leading organisation for licensing and certification of engine oils and is recognised around the world. Also the American Petroleum Institute develops new specifications for engine oils and sets the minimum performance standards for motor oils and base oils. The API proposed classification structure divides base oils into four main groups. Read more in our article.

The latest API service classification - SN, was introduced at the end of 2010. The new specifications are developed at the request of the world automakers when existing specifications of motor oils do not meet the performance criteria for modern production vehicles. API certified motor oils are marked with API Service Symbol "Donut".

The second organisation is - the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) that actually determines the need for new engine oil specifications. In association with a third party - the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) and the world's automakers it sets parameters and targets for each specification developed by SAE.

Question: Are there any other registering and certifying bodies in addition to these three primary organisations?

MITASU OIL expert opinion: There are many more organisations that have more pronounced regional status, such as European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the Japanese Automobile Standards Organisation (JASO), ISO and many others. In addition to the standards set by organisations involved in certification and licensing there are also OEM standards set by auto-manufacturers themselves. These standards regulate the use of different motor oils by manufacturers specifications and approvals.

Question: What is the impact from these organisations on motor oils standards?

MITASU OIL expert opinion: The system used up until 1992, there three governing bodies (SAE, ASTM and the API) were primary regulators of the engine oil market, became too slow and was no longer able to respond to constantly evolving and changing needs of modern day vehicles. The AAMA (American Automobile Manufacturers Association) and the JASO (The Japanese Automobile Standards Organisation) were concerned that such lack of timely response would leave the automakers vulnerable as they developed the latest engines requiring the higher performance engine oils.

Therefore together American and Japanese organisations, AAMA and JASO, decided to form the International Lubricant Standardisation and Approval Committee (ILSAC). ILSAC was authorised to set the minimum performance standards for passenger cars and light trucks. As a result ILSAC merged with tripartite system organisations for engine oil certification (SAE, ASTM and API) to form the Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System (EOLCS). The EOLCS licences engine oils approved through the ILSAC. The overall administration of the EOLCS system is provided by the API.

Question: When was the current ILSAC GF standard developed, which can be seen on some engine oil packs?

MITASU OIL expert opinion: The unified and known to us existing ILSAC GF specification - is the result of the combined efforts of the three primary regulators (SAE, ASTM and API) and AAMA and JASO organisations. This global standard was developed with intent to meet the newest set of regulations by many leading countries regarding fuel economy, long-term emission system performance and durability and oil consumption control. To help consumers recognise that an oil meets the ILSAC requirements, API developed a "Starburst" certification mark.

Question: One can see ILSAC GF-4, ILSAC GF-3 or something else on the oil labels, news updates advise us of new ILSAC GF-5 classification development for engine oil, what do all this numbers stand for and how to determine which number is required for my car?

MITASU OIL expert opinion: The initial ILSAC GF-1 and API SH specification was introduced in 1996. The ILSAC GF-2 and API SJ specification released in 1997 put higher demands to 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-40, 5W-50, 10W-30, 10W-40 and 10W-50 motor oils. The requirements for phosphorus content, low temperature performance, high temperature deposits and foam control have changed. Standards ILSAC GF-1 and ILSAC GF-2 are out-of-date now.

In July 2001 ILSAC GF-2 and API-SJ have been replaced by ILSAC GF-3 and API-SL with even more stringent parameters relating to emission system durability and fuel economy as well as improved performance in the areas of volatility, viscosity retention, extended drain interval and reduced oil consumption. This standard is now outdated.

The ILSAC GF-4 was developed in 2004 and relates to viscosity grade oils SAE 0W-20, 5W-20, 0W-30, 5W-30 and 10W-30 with higher demands to improve fuel economy.

The latest ILSAC standard GF-5 was introduced in October 2010 and after September 30, 2011 ILSAC will no longer offer licensing for GF-4.

Question: Does it mean that only new standard oil should be used in cars?

MITASU OIL expert opinion: Changing to the latest standard has been on-going for a few years and in reality will take some time. We can only note that API officially recommends to use the latest ILSAC standard GF-5 as a replacement for previous ILSAC GF standard oils. Learn more about the latest standard in our special update.