Why the New GF-5 Engine Oil Spec?

[M.D. Holloway]

new engine oil info...

Will GF-5 require new ingredients for lubricants?


Additive companies and Oil Marketers will determine the appropriate lubricant ingredients to meet GF-5 performance requirements, once GF-5 tests and limits are defined. The Needs Statement for GF-5 is approved by ILSAC/OIL and shapes the levels of performance required over and above GF-4.


Performance Additives
Additive technology will enable the performance levels that ultimately represent GF-5. These performance levels will likely require:

Improved phosphorous retention (ZDP) to enable emission system durability while maintaining engine protection
Increased levels of organic/inorganic Friction Modifiers to meet improved fuel economy and fuel economy retention
Enhanced emulsion and rust protection for Flex Fuel Vehicle specifically those that run on ethanol based fuel (E85)
Greater seal compatibility to help ensure seal longevity and prevent oil leakage in older vehicles, as demonstrated by a new seal test specifically developed for GF-5
Base Oils
A greater demand for 0W-20 oils is expected. Formulating 0W-20 oils requires the use of Group III Base Oils.

Viscosity Modifier
Viscosity modifying additives (VM) control the temperature-viscosity relationship of engine oils. Viscosity modifiers are susceptible to shear degradation in the engine. Viscosity modifiers with good fuel economy and high temperature deposit performance will be needed to meet the requirements of GF-5.

Pour Point Depressant (PPD)
Pour Point Depressants (PPD) continue to play an important role in managing both the new and used low temperature properties of the finished oil. As base stocks, additives, and VM evolve with new specifications, careful selection of PPD ensures fail-safe low temperatures performance.

Global Implications of ILSAC GF-5
Will the global marketplace accept the new specification?


Who is on board?

When a new North American Passenger Car Engine Oil Specification becomes officially available it will appear in other parts of the world concurrently. The new performance standards developed by the International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) and certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API), are generally accepted by the rest of the world.

In Asia Pacific and Latin America motor oils follow the API performance level and as a result will eventually have ILSAC GF-5 oil in some of their markets. JAMA (Japanese Automotive Manufacturers Association), is part of ILSAC and has a vote in the development of the new specification. When oils are officially licensed and in the market in the USA, oils of the same performance level are immediately in the market in Japan and simultaneously in Korea, Australia and Canada.

In Europe the ACEA (European Automobile Manufactures Association) specifications are primarily followed.

[M.D. Holloway]

more...

Why GF-5?
The Automotive Industry Speeds Towards GF-5
How will U.S. Government regulations drive the future of the automotive and lubricant industries?
Regulation drives vehicle design, which in turn drives new enabling technology.



By 2011 all new passenger vehicles manufactured in the United States will be required to meet new government regulations put in place to further improve fuel economy and reduce exhaust gas emissions.

Why create new regulations?
In the past 40 years, U.S. government regulations have brought about significant fuel economy and emission improvements through required mechanical and chemical component redesigns. While these regulations were successful, more progress is needed. The number of vehicles on the road continues to increase resulting in negative environmental impacts. And, the cost of fuel continues to increase resulting in amplified public demand for improved fuel economy. These factors accelerated the cycle of regulation and the performance upgrade of engine oils.



New vehicle designs will require new technologies from supporting industries
Automotive manufacturers will not be the only ones required to carry out the regulation-driven redesign. Supporting industries and technologies, such as oil marketers and lubricant additive industries, are currently working together to develop and define a new motor oil specification known as ILSAC GF-5. The GF-5 oils will be designed to improve the function and performance of the new engine and emission designs and help ensure compliance with the new government regulations.



GF-5 beyond the U.S.
The GF-5 specification will have a global impact. As with the previous GF-4 specification, Japan, Korea, and Canada are expected to adopt GF-5 immediately and global marketers of motor oils will add GF-5 to their requirements before 2011.



Consumers and GF-5
The transition to the new motor oils is seamless for owners. Their owners manual will tell them to use only motor oil carrying the API certification mark (Starburst). By the time 2011 vehicles hit the showroom floor, motor oils carrying the API certification mark will be ILSAC GF-5 quality.

GF-5 Performance Requirements
Proposed improvements
Fuel efficiency and lower emissions are the main impetus behind the development of the ILSAC GF-5 specification.

Needs Statement
ILSAC GF-5 Needs Statement is approved by both ILSAC and OIL, as of the January 23, 2008 ILSAC/OIL meeting. The Needs Statement indicates the ILSAC GF-5 performance standard must provide improvements relative to ILSAC GF-4 in the following three categories:

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



Fuel economy and fuel economy retention

OEMs need improved fuel economy. However, the lubricant technology required to deliver the desired improvement cannot be defined at this time until test methods and limits are determined. The new Sequence VID test will be used to evaluate fuel economy and fuel economy retention.

ILSAC GF-5 oils will be required to deliver improved fuel economy when the oil is first put into the engine as well as after the oil has endured significant stress for many miles. ILSAC GF-5 oils may contain either organic or inorganic friction modifiers or possibly new, unique friction modifiers to meet the required improvements.

Protection of emission control systems
The ILSAC GF-4 phosphorous limits have not changed for ILSAC GF-5 and will likely remain at a maximum of 0.08% wt and a minimum of 0.06% wt.

The Emission System Compatibility Improvement Team, ESCIT, has recommended using the existing Sequence IIIG test @ 100 hours to best measure the phosphorous volatility and its impact on the emissions system. The need for this test is to define ZDP systems that demonstrate High Phosphorous Retention

Previously a chemical limit on the percent phosphorous was used to meet the need for improving Emission System Durability. However, for ILSAC GF-5, the Sequence IIIG engine test will measure the phosphorous retention. The phosphorous retention limit will be established around High Phosphorous Retention (HPR) ZDP.

Engine Oil Robustness
The following areas have been tentatively agreed upon to improve enigne oil robustness:

Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) emulsion and rust protection
The emulsion and rust protection specifically for vehicles using ethanol based fuels could require boosters or modifications to the additive technology.
Seal compatibility with a broader number of seal materials and types
How the broader coverage of seal materials will influence additive technology remains to be determined.
Additional Performance Requirements
Turbocharger Protection

Whether an improvement over GF-4 oils is required needs to be determined. The impact on additive technology cannot be answered until it is determined what specific characteristics need to be addressed.

Aeration

It has not been determined if air entrainment will be a part of ILSAC GF-5.

Protection for new technology engines

ILSAC GF-5 engine oils will be expected to provide protection for model year 2011 and beyond. This formulation must be beneficial to, and compatible with, any new innovations that occur in engine technology up to that point.

Protection in older engines
ILSAC GF-5 oils are expected to be backward compatible. Backward compatibility benefits sellers and buyers. It eliminates the need to carry separate products for older generation engines, simplifies the selection of the correct oil and decreases the likelihood that the incorrect oil will be used.

GF-5 Tests


Determining performance to meet GF-5 specification


ILSAC GF-5 requires the development of a new test for measuring Fuel Economy and Fuel Economy Retention, the Sequence VID (pronounced "Six D"). The Sequence VID engine test will define minimum performance standards for fuel economy. The test development program includes a carefully designed testing matrix to define test precision.

Performance parameters for GF-5 are measured through a standardized set of engine, physical and chemical bench tests. To be licensed as an ILSAC GF-5 oil and carry the API starburst symbol, motor oils must first pass this battery of tests.


Engine tests
A series of laboratory engine tests ensure an oil meets all GF-5 performance requirements. Each engine test assesses one or more performance parameters, such as engine deposits, viscosity increase, valvetrain wear, fuel efficiency, or bearing corrosion.

Bench tests
Laboratory bench tests determine the lubricant's performance relative to corrosion, elastomer compatibility, oxidation stability, rust protection, emulsion stability, shear stability, and thermal stability.

Physical tests
A number of laboratory tests are run to determine the physical properties of the oil, such as viscosity, pour point, foaming tendency, and evaporation loss.

Chemical tests
Laboratory tests are also used to determine the chemical properties of engine oils. For example, additive elements, total base number (TBN), and sulfated ash. GF-5 oils must be tested for phosphorus, and sulfur content to determine if they are compatible with exhaust aftertreatment systems.

The Impact on Lubricant Ingredients


Will GF-5 require new ingredients for lubricants?


Additive companies and Oil Marketers will determine the appropriate lubricant ingredients to meet GF-5 performance requirements, once GF-5 tests and limits are defined. The Needs Statement for GF-5 is approved by ILSAC/OIL and shapes the levels of performance required over and above GF-4.




Performance Additives
Additive technology will enable the performance levels that ultimately represent GF-5. These performance levels will likely require:

Improved phosphorous retention (ZDP) to enable emission system durability while maintaining engine protection
Increased levels of organic/inorganic Friction Modifiers to meet improved fuel economy and fuel economy retention
Enhanced emulsion and rust protection for Flex Fuel Vehicle specifically those that run on ethanol based fuel (E85)
Greater seal compatibility to help ensure seal longevity and prevent oil leakage in older vehicles, as demonstrated by a new seal test specifically developed for GF-5
Base Oils
A greater demand for 0W-20 oils is expected. Formulating 0W-20 oils requires the use of Group III Base Oils.

Viscosity Modifier
Viscosity modifying additives (VM) control the temperature-viscosity relationship of engine oils. Viscosity modifiers are susceptible to shear degradation in the engine. Viscosity modifiers with good fuel economy and high temperature deposit performance will be needed to meet the requirements of GF-5.

Pour Point Depressant (PPD)
Pour Point Depressants (PPD) continue to play an important role in managing both the new and used low temperature properties of the finished oil. As base stocks, additives, and VM evolve with new specifications, careful selection of PPD ensures fail-safe low temperatures performance.

[M.D. Holloway]

ILSAC GF-5 Specification Status
What progress has been made and what is yet to come?


The International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) has issued the draft of the GF-5 passenger car motor oil specification. This new ILSAC GF- specification is the fifth in a series issued by the ILSAC and it is scheduled to become active sometime in mid-year 2010. ILSAC GF-5 is being introduced to provide improvements in fuel economy, emissions system protection, and engine oil robustness for gasoline engines. ILSAC GF-5 oils will not address passenger car diesel engine use.

Changes and Open Issues
Both ILSAC and ILSAC/OIL now agree on the ILSAC GF-5 Needs Statement subsequent to the January 23, 2008 ILSAC/OIL meeting. The Needs Statement indicates the new ILSAC GF-5 performance standard must improve on ILSAC

GF-4 in three areas:
Fuel economy and fuel economy retention
Engine oil robustness
Protection of emission control systems
The Sequence VID will replace the Sequence VIB. The Sequence VID is based on a more modern engine design (3.6 liter GM V-6) representative of engines now used in the majority of vehicles in the fleet.
The Sequence IIIG engine test is needed to evaluate the engine oils impact on catalysts used in emissions control systems.

Corporate Average Fuel Economy Regulation (CAFE)
Who sets the standard, how is it enforced, and where is it heading?
Corporate Average Fuel Economy or CAFE is a US federal regulation enacted into law by congress in 1975. This regulation is intended to improve the average fuel economy of cars and light trucks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulates CAFE standards and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) measures vehicle fuel efficiency and regulated emissions.

The EPA requires automobile manufacturers to meet government limits with their CAFE rating. CAFE is determined using a specific formula that calculates the average fuel economy of a manufacturer's vehicle mix by model year. Fines are imposed on car manufacturers (OEMs) that fail to meet the standards. This is why OEMs are constantly looking at ways to meet CAFE requirements through hardware changes and lubricant innovations. The CAFE standards push OEMs to optimize engine designs for efficiency, which in turn impacts with emissions compliance.

When Congress enacted the CAFE regulation it specified that the standards be set at the maximum feasible level. The determination of maximum feasability is made with consideration for technological feasibility, economic practicability, effect of other standards on fuel economy and the need of the nation to conserve energy. Established by Congress in 1975, CAFE standards have been modified until they reached the current level of 27.5 mpg for passenger cars and 22.5 mpg for light duty trucks.

How did CAFE evolve?
The creation of the CAFE standard is an interesting story that can be found at: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/cafe/overview.htm

How are CAFE standards enforced?
Manufacturers receive certification by providing fuel economy test data to the EPA, or the EPA will obtain a vehicle and test it in its Office of Transportation & Air Quality Facility in Ann Arbor , Michigan . The EPA will typically test about 30% of vehicle lines. The entire test procedure is specified in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The penalty for failing to meet CAFE standards recently increased from $5.00 to $5.50 per tenth of a mile per gallon under the target value, multiplied by the total volume of those vehicles manufactured for a given model year.

end

[Overpaid Slacker]

the whuh needs the sssm s;?Z (thud) zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (snork, hawrk) zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


j/k. I'm sure it's important and people will make (and spend) millions over it.

JP

[nut11]

Can I still use Brad Penn??

87 blk coupe

[M.D. Holloway]

Wake Up!!!

[Overpaid Slacker]

Complete. Undivided. Attention.

JP

[Sapporo Guy]

ahhhhhh, Lubes beat me to the GF connection

Bathtub .... woke me up