agent Entrepreneur logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Valvoline Exceeds New GF-6 Motor Oil Standards

Iconic brand provides as much as 40 percent better wear protection versus updated industry specifications.

July 21, 2020
Valvoline Exceeds New GF-6 Motor Oil Standards

Iconic brand provides as much as 40 percent better wear protection versus updated industry specifications.

Image provided by Valvoline

2 min to read


LEXINGTON, Ky. – Valvoline Inc., a worldwide supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, announced the launch of new passenger car motor oil (PCMO) formulas in both the U.S. and Canada. The new formulas have been optimized to exceed the recently updated International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) GF-6 standards, which formally went into effect May 1.

As OEMs continue to improve the efficiency and performance of engines, motor oil has to perform at a higher level as well.

Ad Loading...

ILSAC GF-6, which is comprised of two different specifications – GF-6A and GF-6B – is ILSAC’s latest standard implemented to ensure oils meet the needs of modern engine technology and improve wear protection, fuel economy, reduce sludge and deposits and more.

Valvoline’s multiple GF-6 formulations for conventional, synthetic blend high mileage and full synthetic products – as tested in the industry sequence X chain wear test – are proven across specifications to provide as much as 40 percent better wear protection, delivering greater defense against engine breakdown.

“The newest ILSAC standards provide for a higher motor oil standard, with six new engine tests required to approve formulations,” said Michael Warholic, Valvoline technology manager for PCMO lubricants. “At Valvoline, our dedicated engine lab is capable of running more GF-6 engine tests than any other oil marketer, assuring our oils go above and beyond the new standard, delivering more protection for consumer engines.”

Automakers now require higher-quality oils to protect their latest engine designs, along with a need for lubricants to offer a greater contribution to fuel economy. ILSAC GF-6A and GF-6B improve upon GF-5 specifications in fuel economy and fuel economy retention, engine durability, wear protection for idle-stop, low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) minimization, piston cleanliness, and chain wear protection.

“As OEMs continue to improve the efficiency and performance of engines, motor oil has to perform at a higher level as well,” said Heidi Matheys, Valvoline chief marketing officer. “We wanted our new formulations to go beyond the required performance and exceed the new industry standards to maximize the life of our consumers’ engines.”

Ad Loading...

In addition to meeting ILSAC GF-6, Valvoline oils also meet API SP – the American Petroleum Institute’s new minimum engine oil standard developed to address the critical needs of today’s engines including chain wear, LSPI and deposits.

GF-5 motor oils have begun to fade from distribution post the May 1, 2020 GF-6 launch. Valvoline Motor Oils meeting ILSAC GF-6A standard will display the “Starburst” API mark on all bottles, while GF-6B-compliant oils will have the API “Shield.” Oils meeting API SP will feature an updated API “Donut” with SP designation.

For more information, please visit Valvoline.com/original.

Read: Black Book: COVID-19 Markets Updates

Originally posted on F&I and Showroom

More Industry

Headshot of smiling woman next to Under the Hood video series title
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•October 30, 2026

California Calling? What's Up With the State's New CARS Act?

Should auto dealers outside of California be concerned about its new price-transparency law? Yes, and you can guide them in the right direction.

Read More →
Hyundai insignia on a vehicle
Industry•October 29, 2026

Tennessee Transaction Latest in Buy-Sell Flurry

Four stores move from a longtime local family business to one of the country’s biggest automotive groups as part of the industry’s continued consolidation.

Read More →
The front end of a Nissan SUV.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 29, 2026

SUV Joins Safety Rankings

Thanks to a seat belt redesign, the Nissan Kicks has earned a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
The outside of a blue Gregg Young Chevrolet dealership.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 22, 2026

Nebraska Rooftop Changes Hands

The Gregg Young Automotive Group has sold its second dealership to Janssen Auto Group, both in Plattsmouth, Neb.

Read More →
Two white men's shaking hands
Industry•October 15, 2026

Penske Auto Group Deal a Record

The deal to take the dealership and transportation services company private sets a new pace for industry buy-sell transactions.

Read More →
Rows of cars parked in exterior lot
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•October 8, 2026

War Toll a Damper on Used Auto Prices

Cox Automotive found wholesale depreciation to be elevated in September amid high fuel prices and this year's unusual hurricane season.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Mechanic cleaning interior of engine
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 8, 2026

Bridge the Maintenance Gap

With many drivers missing recommended maintenance, service departments offering transparency and efficiency have a better chance of reaching financially strained consumers.

Read More →
Ford F-150 truck rounding a curve
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•October 1, 2026

California Store Has New Owner

The longtime dealership in the northern part of the state is known for robust fleet sales and has served the state capital for 115 years.

Read More →
crane lowering a pipeline into the ground
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 1, 2026

BMW Plant Pursues Cleaner Energy

BMW Group Plant Leipzig has utilized hydrogen to help power its production since 2013, but a new pipeline is planned to take it to another level.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Two dodge cars outside of dealership.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•September 17, 2026

Auto Affordability Inches Up

The latest Cox Automotive and Moody’s Analytics index shows a slight increase in new-vehicle affordability despite high prices.

Read More →
Ad Loading...