Demonstration Oil

How demonstration oils help pave the way for new motor oils.

Along the way to developing a new motor oil specification, American Chemistry Council (ACC) and American Petroleum Institute (API) member companies provide demonstration oils to be used in the development and testing process. The creation of this "first pass" of oils is vital to the process. Oil manufacturers and additive companies can learn a great deal from the performance success and failure of these initial blends. 

Demonstration oils also play a key role in establishing the final testing requirements for a new oil specification. Running tests on demonstration oils provides the facts needed to determine test limits and the costs to meet them. The testing of demonstration oils ensures that the test limits that are set are commercially and technically feasible.
Oil manufacturers and additive companies work together to develop engine oils that meet the performance requirements of new specifications such as GF-5. Once demonstration oils are able to pass the GF-5 specification requirements, motor oil formulators and additive companies will work independently to develop commercial motor oils. The companies will strive to reduce costs and provide differentiated performance characteristics. These revised formulations must also pass the GF-5 specification before receiving API licensing.