Valvoline Exceeds New GF-6 Motor Oil Standards
Iconic brand provides as much as 40 percent better wear protection versus updated industry specifications.

Iconic brand provides as much as 40 percent better wear protection versus updated industry specifications.
Image provided by Valvoline
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.
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.”
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.
More Showroom

Used Sales Hit Summer Drag
The vacation season, combined with high prices, has dented deliveries and added to inventories, though supply is still slim enough to keep listings elevated.
Read More →
California Launches EV Rebate Program
Participating automakers are matching the state's $13.5 million investment in new electric-vehicle rebates scheduled to take effect later this summer.
Read More →
OEM Poll Sees Industry Evolution
Kerrigan Advisors’ survey of automakers finds that tariffs, technology, network tightening and other factors are poised to reshape auto retail.
Read More →
The Trade-In Paradox
Retailing older cars with confidence in today’s market is a matter of establishing and following a clear process that can turn greater profit for auto dealers as they aim to meet used-unit hunger.
Read More →
Focus on Vehicle Cabins
The market for interior materials will grow in coming years as automakers look to meet consumer demand while staying competitive with changeups to sourcing and included features.
Read More →
State Follows Federal Warning on Auto Ads
The Massachusetts attorney general cautioned the state’s automotive dealers to be upfront with the consuming public about their vehicle prices or risk punishment.
Read More →
European EV Market Hits Record
Seven out of the top 10 electric vehicles sold so far in 2026 in Europe are by European brands, and automakers are seeing the power train fill up their order books.
Read More →
Used EVs Outpace New
While North American electric-vehicle sales remain down year-over-year, May sales saw a 3% increase from April’s numbers as used EVs led the market.
Read More →
New Vehicles Down for Most Brands
Healthy May sales cut into inventory as automakers kept a tight reign on supply, though some brands ended the month with excess units on the ground.
Read More →
Auto Prices Ride May Moderation
Flat ATPs and asking prices clocked in below long-term averages for the month, though some segments saw significant price gains, reported Cox Automotive.
Read More →