API Archives - Engine Builder Magazine
Pennzoil and API on Developing Motor Oil Standards

For more than 90 years, Pennzoil has worked alongside the American Petroleum Institute (API) to ensure Pennzoil products meet – and often exceed – the stringent requirements of motor oil specifications implemented to best help protect the performance of your engine. With the industry ever-evolving, Pennzoil sat down with API Senior Manager, Jeff Harmening, to take a

New GF-6 Motor Oils Required Rigorous New Tests

As engines in cars, trucks and SUVs have become more efficient in an effort to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy, the use of low viscosity motor oil has become an essential part of their operation. With advancements such as gasoline direct injected (GDI) and turbocharged direct injected (TGDI) engines came a request from automakers

New API Gas Engine Oil Standards Coming May 1

As modern engines have been designed with tighter tolerances, and many with gasoline direct injected (GDI) and turbocharged direct injected (TGDI) engines, low viscosity motor oils are required for their operation. Low viscosity oils such as 5W-20, 0W-20 and even 0W-16 can also provide a fuel economy benefit. With these advancements came a request from

API Invokes Provisional Licensing for ROBO Test for ILSAC GF-6 and API SP

API has learned that high demand for the ASTM D7528 (ROBO) test resulting from testing in advance of the May 1, 2020 first-licensing date for the new ILSAC GF-6A, ILSAC-GF-6B and API SP with Resource Conserving standards, has contributed to a backlog at independent test laboratories. With this in mind, API’s Engine Oil Licensing and

API Announces Improved Engine Oil Standards

The API announced the approval of improved performance standards for engine oils that will provide greater protection and fuel efficiency for today’s gasoline-engine-powered cars and trucks.

API Warns Consumers of False API Certifications on Oils

API is now posting oils displaying the API engine oil certification marks without authorization on its website.

Let’s Talk Engine Oils

SN oils don’t have sufficient ZDP to coat all the engine components which are subjected to sliding friction. And, if that isn’t bad enough, a new oil specification, ILSAC (International Lubricant Specification and Approval Committee) GF-6 is on the horizon.

Engine Oil Changes and Innovations

It’s always helpful at the end of each year to reflect on what’s been accomplished and where we think our industry is headed. I think we should do this for the three types of oils you Engine Builder readers typically encounter.

Updates on Proposed API SN PLUS Standard

At the Pan-American Base Oils and Lubricants Conference in Jersey City, N.J., Kevin Ferrick, Sr. Manager of the API Engine Oil Program provided an update on the proposed API SN PLUS standard.

API Announces Plans for SN PLUS in Donut

The SN PLUS supplement to API SN is intended to identify oils that meet API SN and provide additional protection against low-speed pre-ignition in turbocharged direct injection gasoline powered engines.

Regulations and Research: How PC-11 Became a CK-4/FA-4 Reality

PC-11 had its beginnings at least a decade ago due to the EPA and government regulators pushing for higher heavy-duty truck fuel economy standards. The American Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) wrote a letter to the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the American Society for Testing of Materials (ASTM) asking for their help in developing new, more fuel efficient diesel engine oils. Everyone agreed that new heavy-duty engine oil specifications would be needed to improve fuel economy significantly. Engine manufacturers, chemical companies, and oil marketers then began the process of identifying new engine and lab tests to define the performance levels needed to create these oils. Considerable R & D has occurred since that letter.