Navigating an increasingly complex engine oil landscape

As the impending ILSAC GF-8, dexos 1 Gen 4, and a hybrid specification continue to obscure the North American landscape, passenger car engine oils need additive solutions that can help simplify blending operations and optimize product portfolios.

Modern passenger car engine oils have evolved far beyond basic lubrication, becoming highly engineered fluids that support advanced engine technologies. Driven largely by the need to meet increasingly demanding efficiency and emissions requirements, today's engine oils must deliver a broad range of performance benefits in addition to wear protection. These requirements are defined through industry performance specifications, such as those established by the International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC). In North America, current passenger car engine oils are formulated to meet ILSAC GF-7 standards, helping ensure that lubricants are aligned with the operational needs of modern vehicles.

Change is on the horizon. ILSAC is in the early part of its development process for ILSAC GF-8, which will further push the envelope in terms of how an engine oil must contribute to greater fuel economy.