Kroon-Oil highlights superior API SQ standard lubricants

August 07, 2025

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Automobile manufacturers continue to strive for lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions of harmful exhaust gases under the pressure of stricter regulations. This leads to more compact and efficient engine designs, which place higher demands on engine oil.

API SQ has been developed to support these technological advancements. Motor oils that meet this standard MUST offer superior performance in terms of:

Fuel savings
Protection against LSPI (Low Speed Pre-Ignition)
Engine cleanliness
Durability and wear protection

The new API SQ quality standard has been officially in effect since March 31, 2025. Compared to its predecessor API SP, API SQ provides significantly improved protection. The certification process includes updates to various engine tests that measure oil performance under different conditions.

Some key improvements:

Better control of deposits at low and high temperatures
Improved protection against viscosity increase under thermal stress
Higher fuel savings compared to reference oils
Moreover, API SQ opens the door to engine oils with extremely low viscosity, such as SAE 0W-8 and SAE 0W-12.

The launch of API SQ coincides with the introduction of ILSAC GF-7, making these specifications largely equivalent. The main difference: API SQ is also suitable for the lowest viscosity classes, for which GF-7 is not applicable. Both standards are fully backwards compatible with API SP and ILSAC GF-6.

For the vehicle owner, API SQ is a guarantee of tangible benefits such as; better engine performance, less engine wear, lower maintenance costs, longer vehicle lifespan, improved emission system reliability, lower fuel consumption and thus less CO₂ emissions.

Kroon-Oil products meet API SQ and or ILSAC GF-7 and offer the above benefits are: