Understanding GF-7:
What it means for you vehicle
Enhanced fuel economy
Tighter performance demands in GF-7 fuel economy and oxidation & deposit control tests help ensure engines have minimal energy losses due to viscosity or friction
Protection against LSPI
GF-7 introduces a new aged Oil LSPI prevention test to help ensure oils can prevent LSPI throughout the oil's drain interval
Reduction in Piston Deposits
and Timing Chain Wear
GF-7 specification has a stricter Sequence IIIH piston cleanliness limit to help ensure oils provide better protection against deposits and help engines maintain optimal performance over a longer period
.png "Low Temperature properties"){kind=icon}
Protection against LSPI
GF-7 introduces a new aged Oil LSPI prevention test to help ensure oils can prevent LSPI throughout the oil's drain interval
See what's changing
As engines evolve, so do the standards that protect them. With the transition to ILSAC GF-7, we've updated both our formulations and packaging to make identification easier for you. Below you'll see our product lineup, complete with our new, bold packaging.
New look, new names - same trusted performance
Havoline® will be discontinuing the Havoline Motor Oil SAE 30.
Still have questions? We've got answers
ILSAC GF-7 is the latest engine oil specification developed by ILSAC (International Lubricants Standardization and Approval Committee) as the new standard, replacing GF-6A and GF-6B. The new standards are in place to help ensure motor oils are meeting the needs of modern vehicles and engine technology.
The first license date for the new standards is March 31, 2025.
GF stands for “gasoline fueled”.
The new GF-7 standards call for more stringent performance limits, and some of the benefits include:
- Enhanced fuel economy: helping car manufacturers meet stringent fuel economy and CO2 emissions regulations
- Protection against Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI): a phenomenon that can cause engine knocking and damage in turbocharged, direct-injection engines
- Improved engine cleanliness: keeping engines cleaner and running more efficiently
- Reduced Timing Chain Wear: a crucial element for maintaining engine performance and longevity
- GF-7A: Designed for commonly used viscosity grades like SAE 0W-30, 5W-30, 10W-30, 0W-20, and 5W-20. It is backward-compatible with GF-6A and can display the API “Starburst” Certification
- Mark. GF-7B: Specific to the SAE 0W-16 viscosity grade and engineered for enhanced fuel economy benefits. It is backward-compatible with GF-6B and can only be used in 0W-16 applications. Lower viscosity grades like 0W-12 and 0W-8 are not covered under GF-7.
The types of tests run are staying the same, but the performance limits are changing and becoming more stringent for many of the tests. Both the ILSAC GF-7A and GF-7B standards have several upgraded testing protocols to existing engine series tests. The Sequence IIIH (Weighted Piston Deposit Test), Sequence VIE (Fuel Economy Test), and Sequence X (Timing Chain Wear Test) have increasing performance limits an oil needs to pass.
Yes, GF-7A oils are backward compatible with previous standards like GF-6A, GF-5, and older specifications. GF-7B oils are backward compatible only with GF-6B standards.
API SQ is the latest engine oil service category developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API). API SP and aligns closely with ILSAC GF-7 standards replacing API SP and is backward compatible to all previous “S” category oils.
Oils that comply are eligible for API licensing and use the API Service Symbol (the donut) on the product label.
The first licensing date for API SQ oils is set for March 31, 2025
Yes, API SQ oils are fully backward compatible with previous API service categories, such as API SP, API SN, and earlier categories.
Yes, of course! Chevron Havoline passenger car motor oils meet or exceed ILSAC GF-7 industry standards. And our current Havoline PRO-DS Full Synthetic GF-6 motor oils already meet the more stringent GF-7 standards, underscoring our commitment to bringing you the highest quality, reliability and performance in our motor oils.
First licensing date and use of GF-7/API SQ is March 31, 2025, so GF-6/API SP engine oils will begin to transition out of distribution and still be available for up to one year after the first license date.
Yes, GF-7/API SQ engine oils are backwards compatible to GF-6/SP.
There are several changes taking place within the Havoline product portfolio during the same time period as the GF-7 transition.
- Havoline is getting an update to its packaging and will have a new look and feel. The changes will be on a rolling basis and timing will vary by product and SKU, but the changes will begin rolling out with the transition to GF-7.
- Several product tier name changes will take place:
* Discontinuation of Havoline Motor Oil SAE 30