At the end of May a new oil specification came into force, API SQ, aimed at further increasing fuel system efficiency and reducing emission. Leading German oil and additives specialist LIQUI MOLY has already adjusted several of its products to meet the new lubricant specification requirements. 

“The new API SQ specification focuses mainly on the topics of optimised fuel efficiency, better protection against LSPI, increased cleaning power and reduced ash formation,” says Oliver Kuhn, Deputy Head of the Oil Laboratory at LIQUI MOLY.

Yo meet these enhanced needs LIQUI MOLY has converted several products from its Special Tec AA and Molygen New Generation series. These engine oils, which are primarily aimed at American and Asian vehicles and meet the requirements of the current American Petroleum Institute standard.

Fuel saving remains an important goal for vehicle manufacturers and therefore places high demands on engine oils. Accordingly, API SQ requires an even greater efficiency of up to 16 percent compared to the previous API SP standard.

In addition, protection against LSPI plays an important role. Low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) refers to the undesired premature ignition of the fuel before the actual combustion. This can lead to engine knocking and serious damage. The engines most affected are modern downsized petrol units with direct injection. “How well an engine oil protects against LSPI has only been tested on fresh oil so far,” explains Oliver Kuhn. “A new feature of API SQ is that it looks at the overall condition of the oil. The newly introduced LSPI Aged Oil test examines the protection against LSPI in used or aged oil. Our products have successfully passed this test.”

The API SQ also aims for cleaner pistons due to the required improved protection against oxidation and deposits. “Only a clean engine works perfectly. The cleaner the engine, the better for the entire system,” Oliver Kuhn points out.

Compliance with emissions standards is also taken into account in the new specification. “Modern petrol vehicles are also increasingly equipped with a particle filter. This particularly affects direct injection engines, which form fine soot,” says Oliver. API SQ requires a maximum sulfate ash content of 0.9 percent from engine oils in order to reduce ash formation and thus better protect the installed gasoline particulate filter (OPF or GPF) from clogging. Moreover, stricter limit values for the pumping viscosity (MRV) are new in API SQ. This affects the pumpability of the oil at very low temperatures.”

LIQUI MOLY has adapted the Special Tec AA series with the viscosities 0W-16, 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 as well as the Molygen New Generation series with the viscosities 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30. These LIQUI MOLY products meet the requirements of the new specification. Further engine oils are being prepared for the changeover.

The ILSAC GF-7 specification of the International Lubricants Standardization and Approval Committee, which corresponds to API SQ, already came into force at the end of March. The reformulated Special Tec AA and Molygen New Generation engine oils from LIQUI MOLY also meet this standard.