The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the only national trade association that represents all aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Our more than 500 corporate members, from the largest major oil company to the smallest of independents, come from all segments of the industry. They are producers, refiners, suppliers, pipeline operators and marine transporters, as well as service and supply companies that support all segments of the industry.
API SN
The latest API (American Petroleum Institute) service category for vehicles with gasoline engines is API SN. This new North American PCMO performance standard replaces the previous API SM service category, which was introduced in 2004.
Engine oils meeting API SN may be used where API SM and all earlier S category oils are recommended. API SN provides improvements over API SM in the areas of oxidation, sludge and deposit control.
API has also introduced a new “Resource Conserving” designation that may be used in conjunction with API SN. The Resource Conserving designation replaces the previous Energy Conserving designation. While the Energy Conserving designation focused only on fuel economy, the new Resource Conserving designation covers fuel economy, emission system and turbocharger protection, and compatibility with ethanol containing fuels (up to E85).
API licensed engine oils meeting API SN will display the API “donut” Service Symbol on the back label. The service category is displayed in the upper portion of the donut. Licensed engine oils that also meet the Resource Conserving designation will display “Resource Conserving” in the lower portion of the donut.
www.api.org
ILSAC STANDARD FOR PASSENGER CAR ENGINE OILS
ILSAC GF-5
ILSAC GF is the PCMO performance standard that the vast majority of North American and Asian OEM’s specify
for their gasoline fuelled vehicles.
ILSAC GF-5 is the latest version of this industry general specification, and replaces the previous specification,
ILSAC GF-4, which was introduced in 2004.
ILSAC GF-5 is fully backwards compatible with all previous ILSAC GF standards.
ILSAC GF-5 requires oils to meet both of the new API SN and API Resource Conserving performance standards.
Heavy viscosity grade oils, typically 10W-40 and 20W-50, meeting only API SN do not meet ILSAC GF-5
requirements.
ILSAC GF-5 provides improvements over ILSAC GF-4 in 3 general areas:
● Initial fuel economy and fuel economy retention over the oil drain interval
● Engine oil robustness – oxidation, sludge and deposit control
● Emission system protection
API licensed engine oils meeting ILSAC GF-5 will display the API “starburst” Certification Mark on the front label
and the API “donut” Service Symbol on the back label.
ASTM
ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), is a globally recognized leader in the development and delivery of international voluntary consensus standards. Today, some 12,000 ASTM standards are used around the world to improve product quality, enhance safety, facilitate market access and trade, and build consumer confidence.
ASTM’s leadership in international standards development is driven by the contributions of its members: more than 30,000 of the world’s top technical experts and business professionals representing 135 countries. Working in an open and transparent process and using ASTM’s advanced electronic infrastructure, ASTM members deliver the test methods, specifications, guides, and practices that support industries and governments worldwide.
www.astm.org
ISO
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the world’s largest developer of voluntary International Standards. International Standards give state of the art specifications for products, services and good practice, helping to make industry more efficient and effective. Developed through global consensus, they help to break down barriers to international trade.
