New ILSAC GF-7 Oil is Launching Soon: What You Need to Know

Planning an oil change soon? You might notice something new on the shelves. A next-generation motor oil standard, ILSAC GF-7, is officially launching on March 31st, 2025, promising better protection and efficiency, especially for more recent vehicles. So, what’s the deal with GF-7, and should you be using it?

The international committee ILSAC developed the GF-7 standard, which the American Petroleum Institute (API) certifies. ILSAC designed the GF-7 to meet the demands of modern gasoline engines, particularly those with turbochargers or gasoline direct injection (GDI). It also aims to help carmakers meet stricter future fuel economy and emissions regulations. Think of it as the successor to the current GF-6 standard you likely see now.

So, what makes GF-7 better? Technical experts from API and oil brands like Pennzoil highlight several key improvements. It offers enhanced protection against engine wear, especially for critical components like timing chains. Oil formulators also create it to reduce internal friction, helping squeeze out a bit more fuel economy.

Perhaps most importantly for modern cars, GF-7 includes tougher requirements for preventing Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI). LSPI is a potentially damaging engine knock sometimes experienced in smaller, high-output turbo engines, and GF-7 oils are specifically tested to minimize this risk.

Now, the big question: can you use it in your car? For most drivers, yes. The main category, GF-7A, which covers common oil weights like 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, and 10W-30, is designed to be backward-compatible. That means it’s perfectly fine to use in vehicles that call for older specs like GF-6, GF-5, etc.

However, there’s also GF-7B, which covers ultra-thin oils like 0W-16. These are only for specific, newer vehicles designed to use them and are not backward-compatible. The golden rule remains: always check your owner’s manual for the recommended oil type and viscosity.

When you’re shopping, look for the API “Starburst” symbol along with the “API Service SQ” donut mark – this signifies a GF-7A compatible oil. For the special GF-7B (0W-16) oils, you’ll see an API “Shield” symbol instead of the Starburst.

As GF-7 oils start rolling out, know that they represent the latest step in lubrication technology designed to keep engines, both new and old, running smoother and lasting longer.