Castrol says API SQ and ILSAC GF-7 are the future

American Petroleum Institute (API) petrol specifications have always carried material significance within Australia given the prevalence of Japanese and Korean vehicles on the road.
In fact, API petrol specifications are the single most applicable specifications for locally registered vehicles and serve as handbook recommendations for literally millions of vehicles. It is that context which makes the development and launch of API SQ so important for the Australian market.
Compared with the current generation API SP standard, API SQ specified products will provide higher levels of assurance that oils sustainably control Low Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI), deliver extra wear protection, improve high temperature resistance and low temperature fluidity, and include additional tests for aged oil to ensure that engines remain protected long-term.
Beyond being fully backwards compatible with all prior API petrol specifications (for example, API SP, SN, SM, and so on), API SQ extends to include ultra-low-viscosity grades, such as SAE 0W-8 which have been designed to meet the needs of modern, technologically advanced engines including hybrids.
In parallel with the licensing date for API SQ, the International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee (ILSAC) is also introducing a new engine oil category to market: ILSAC GF-7.
This specification is designed to deliver improved fuel economy, better protection against low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI), and enhanced performance in terms of piston deposits and timing chain wear.
Castrol explains that ILSAC GF-7 represents a significant advancement over its predecessors by offering tighter limits on engine tests and introducing new bench tests and limits for seals, gelation, and MRV (Mini-Rotary Viscometer) viscosity.
These improvements are aimed at meeting the stringent fuel economy and emissions reduction targets set for model year 2026 vehicles and beyond.
As with ILSAC GF-6, ILSAC GF-7 specifications are split into two categories based on the associated SAE viscosity of the product.
To that end ILSAC GF-7A remains the category standard supporting viscosity grades of 0W-20 and heavier (and is backward compatible to GF-6A and all prior ILSAC specified products).
Comparatively, ILSAC GF-7B supersedes ILSAC GF-6B and specifically covers SAE 0W-16 grades. This specification is only backward compatible to ILSAC GF-6B and can only be used in 0W-16 applications.
Castrol says it has long been committed to staying at the forefront of engine oil technology and with that focus on product development, Castrol has a wide range of API SQ and ILSAC GF-7 qualified products which are now available, including:
Castrol EDGE 0W-20 C5: carrying the latest industry specifications from API (SQ), ACEA (C5, C6), and ILSAC (GF-7), in addition to a laundry list of OEM approvals from Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, Fiat, Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz, Castrol EDGE 0W-20 C5 is one of Castrol’s most flexible advanced full synthetic engine oils to unlock the very edge of performance in petrol, diesel (inc. DPF) and hybrid vehicles.
Castrol EDGE 0W-30: a high-performance engine oil particularly suited to modern petrol and diesel (inc. DPF-fitted) engines, as well as many BMW and Mercedes vehicles. Carrying the industry specifications from API (SQ) and ACEA (C3), it also holds BMW (BMW Longlife-04 and BMW Longlife-19FE) and Mercedes Benz (MB-Approval 226.5/ 229.31/ 229.51).
Castrol EDGE 5W-30 M: a popular full synthetic oil for workshops servicing a diverse range of vehicles. Carrying API SQ and ACEA C3 industry specifications, in addition to BMW Longlife-04 OEM approval, it’s a popular choice for a range of petrol and diesel (inc. those fitted with DPF’s) vehicles.
Castrol says the introduction of API SQ and ILSAC GF-7 marks a new era in engine oil technology, and says its team is proud to offer a range of products carrying these specifications from ‘day one’ and many more to come.

For more information or to use Castrol’s new product finder, please visit https://castrolau.netlubepro.com