First license for ILSAC GF-7 is right around the corner. Expected March 31, 2025, lubricant marketers everywhere must be prepared to meet the new specification’s critical performance improvements with quality products that North American drivers can rely on.

Are you ready? As we progress through the final quarter of 2024, here’s an overview of the key developments GF-7 brings to our industry, and what you can do to ensure preparedness for first license:

Meeting Heightened Performance Standards

As with any new engine oil specification, GF-7 brings with it some significant new performance requirements. And while GF-7 may not represent a significant step change in performance, like the leap from GF-5 to GF-6, there are still critical improvements that oil marketers must deliver. The most important of which include:

Fuel economy

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has called for Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) improvements of roughly 10% annually starting with model year 2026. To meet such stringent requirements, OEMs have refined engine designs, and the lubricant has a critical role to play.

GF-7 necessitates that the lubricant contributes to enhanced fuel consumption rates, as well as enhanced fuel economy retention over the course of the oil drain. Such requirements ultimately contribute to lessened greenhouse gas emissions.

Extended engine protection

GF-7 will require lubricants to deliver heightened levels of engine protection. Specifically, GF-7 will measure the lubricant’s ability to prevent low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI), piston deposit control and premature timing chain wear over extended periods.

[callout] GF-7 necessitates critical improvements that oil marketers must deliver.

Indeed, GF-7 requires maintaining complete lubricant effectiveness over longer drain intervals. The improved resistance to oxidation and thermal breakdown ensures the lubricant will perform optimally throughout the entire oil drain, as well as provide enhanced protection from general wear and tear. With these improvements, GF-7 helps ensure engines remain clean and deliver maximum efficiency over longer oil drains while delivering optimal protection over the same period.

Comprehensive performance

While GF-7 raises the bar in the specific areas mentioned so far, ultimately, the specification calls for enhancements across every critical performance metric, including:

Seal compatibility
Corrosion protection
Valvetrain wear
Viscosity increases
Catalyst compatibility
Volatility

And more. For lubricant marketers, developing optimal formulations will be critical in meeting a wide variety of performance needs.

Preparing for First License

Meeting the performance required for your next-generation lubricant offerings shouldn’t be more complicated than necessary—but it requires the right partnership with your additives supplier to do it amidst today’s market needs. And vetting your partnerships is one of the most important ways you can prepare yourself for first license and beyond.

It’s why Lubrizol developed our comprehensive Specification Readiness program, providing you access to our technical expertise, testing capacity, portfolio management and marketing support, enabling you to meet requirements with ease and confidence. Plus, our additive solution for GF-7 offers simple, purpose-built technology to meet the required performance while also providing the capability to meet the GM dexos™ 1 Gen 3 specification as well. With broad coverage for a wide range of base oils and viscosity grades, it’s a streamlined way to meet critical approvals and grow your business.

Are you ready for GF-7? Learn more about all the ways we can help you get there with our Specification Readiness Program.

GF-7 Progress Update: Preparing for First License