The American Petroleum Institute (API) has released the latest edition of the API Motor Oil Guide. This edition follows the first licensing of ILSAC GF-7 motor oils, marking a significant advancement in passenger engine oil technology. Designed for consumers, technicians, and other industry professionals, the guide remains a trusted resource for selecting motor oils that meet manufacturer and industry specifications.

New Motor Oil Standards

The updated guide, which can be downloaded, provides detailed information on current and previous motor oil standards, including the introduction of GF-7A and GF-7B, launched in March 2025. These new standards offer enhanced protection against low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI), improved fuel economy, better performance under high temperatures, and superior timing chain wear protection, ensuring cleaner, more efficient engines operating on fuels up to E85.

The API SQ specification (without Resource Conserving) provides performance requirements for engine oils that are backward compatible with previous API S categories. These previous API S categories can include both heavier viscosity grades and the ultra-low viscosity grade performance requirements of SAE 0W-8 and 0W-12 engine oils in modern engines.

The guide also outlines how the API Certification Marks, the “Starburst” and the “Shield,” identify motor oils meeting the new GF-7 standards. The “Starburst” signifies oils meeting GF-7A requirements, while the “Shield” applies exclusively to SAE 0W-16 oils certified under GF-7B.