Performance Improvement Over API SG

Passing the ASTM Sequence tests with performance improvements over API SG allows oil to be labeled API SH and display the API donut symbol.

Thus far, we've discussed API SH. Now we'll talk about the tie-in with ILSAC. The American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), through an organization called the International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC), jointly developed and approved a specification for gasoline-fueled passenger car engine oils identified as GF-1. API and ILSAC have agreed on a single set of specifications that meet both API SH and ILSAC GF-1 with the exception of fuel economy and SAE grades approved. That is, in order to meet GF-1 an oil must meet API SH and the Energy Conserving II (EC-II) requirements. EC-II oil provides a 2.7% fuel economy improvement over reference oil in an ASTM fuel economy test that uses a laboratory engine. API SH has no energy conserving requirements. ILSAC GF-1 specifications apply to OW-X, 5W-X and 1OW-X oils where X can be 20, 30, 40 or 50. In contrast, API SH applies to all viscosity grades (multigrades and monogrades).

Shown in the illustration are the ILSAC Certification Mark and the API Donut Symbol. The ILSAC Certification Mark must be displayed on the front of an oil container. An oil with the ILSAC Mark meets all physical, chemical and performance requirements (ASTM engine tests) of API SH and is Energy Conserving II. Its viscosity grade is OW-X, 5W-X or 1OW-X.

The API Donut Symbol can be displayed anywhere on the container for oils meeting the API SH chemical, physical and performance requirements. All viscosity grades are included and the oil does not have to be EC-II approved.

API designation SH and ILSAC designation GF-1 were introduced by the petroleum industry on August 1, 1993.

The API designation SJ has been adopted to engine oils available after 1996 and has replaced the former SH designation at the time of publication. The API SH designation may still be used in conjunction with an API C-service category.

Previously there were two energy conserving oil categories: ENERGY CONSERVING AND ENERGY CONSERVING II. These may appear on the label as: EC or EC II. Effective as of October 1996 there is only one EC designation that is EC. The EC and EC II that were used in conjunction with API Service Category SH became obsolete after August 1997.

EC used in conjunction with API SH: These oils have produced a fuel economy improvement of 1.5 percent or greater over a standard reference oil in an ASTM test procedure. Oils meeting this requirement display the ENERGY CONSERVING will have a label in the lower portion of the donut shaped API Service Symbol.

EC II used in conjunction with API SH: These oils have produced a fuel economy improvement of 2.7 percent or greater over a standard reference oil in an ASTM test procedure. Oils meeting this requirement display the ENERGY CONSERVING II will have a label in the lower portion of the donut shaped API Service Symbol.

EC used in conjunction with API SJ: These oils have produced a fuel economy improvement of 1.4 percent or more (0W-20 and 5W-20 viscosity grades), 1.1 percent or more (other 0W- and 5W-multiviscosity grades), or 0.5 percent or more (low-multi viscosity grades and all other viscosity grades). Oils that meet this requirement and are properly licensed may display "Energy Conserving" in the lower portion of the API Service Symbol in conjunction with API Service Category SJ in the upper portion.