2011 MY Motor Oli Standards
Motor oil standards will be changing for the 2011 model year. Beginning in October, 2010 a new standard (GF-5) will go into effect. The following is a brief motor oil history lesson and why changes are coming in the 2011 model year.

Motor oil standards were established soon after automobiles first hit the road. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) was formed in 1905 with the vision of standardizing all the technologies of automobile design, manufacture and maintenance. Today, we still adhere to the countless SAE standards created since then. Motor oil and lubrication became one of the early projects of the SAE. As early as 1911, petroleum refiners began to embrace SAE standards for viscosity. Refiners still use the SAE J300 method of testing and certifying the viscosity of motor oil.

ACEA
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), was founded in 1991 to represent the interests of the 15 European automotive manufacturers. ACEA works with the various countries and the European Union for standardization among the nations. All European-made vehicles list ACEA standards for oil in their specifications, along with ILSAC standards. The vast majority of motor oils in North America meet or exceed ACEA standards, so it shouldn’t be an issue when servicing a European vehicle. Always refer to the owner’s manual or check the manufacturer’s technical website, if in doubt.

API
The API “donut” indicates the SM performance rating and SAE viscosity. At the beginning of World War I, Congress mandated the domestic oil and natural gas industry to work together with the government to help the war effort. After the war, there was a need for an organization to continue representing the petroleum industry, so the American Petroleum Institute (API) was established in 1919.

API sets standards, according to specified testing parameters, and approves products based on testing results. The latest motor oil standard for gasoline-powered passenger cars and light trucks is “SM,” which you will find on the oil bottle or drum label. The current API standard for light diesel engines is CJ-4.

Most standards are “backward compatible,” meaning the oil may safely be used in older vehicles, which called for earlier standards - but, always check the service information and owner´s manual, especially in unusual applications.

ILSAC
The International Lubricants Standardization and Approval Committee, better known as ILSAC, is a consortium of the auto makers — GM, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler L.L.C. — and the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA). ILSAC’s Oil subcommittee works with API and additive suppliers to identify the need for an improved motor oil specification and sets testing standards. The latest standard is GF-4, which came into usage in early 2004. Since then, the need for longer oil life, improved mileage and lower emissions has heightened. Not long after the GF-4 standard was adopted, the industry began to look at raising the bar for the next generation of engines.

ILSAC GF-5
While the GF-4 standard was acceptable when it was introduced nearly six years ago, new formulas will be required to meet upcoming government regulations for improved fuel economy and lower emissions. Improvements over GF-4 must include:

• Fuel economy and fuel economy retention;
• Engine oil robustness; and
• Protection of emission control systems.

• Fuel economy;
• Emission systems protection;
• Rust protection with the use of E85 (ethanol/gasoline blend);
• Protection for turbochargers;
• Avoiding engine sludge;
• Keeping pistons clean; and
• Compatibility with sealing materials.

• To ensure worldwide availability of equal quality oil for factory and service fill.
• To further improve fuel economy;
• To provide a more robust formulation (added engine protection);
• To further extend service intervals; and
• To support longer intervals for GM’s Oil Life Monitoring System (OLMS).