New cars, new oil standards. API SQ and ILSAC GF-7 are the newest standards for petrol passenger-car engine oil. They were first licensed on 31 March 2025 and are written for today’s small turbocharged, direct-injection and hybrid engines. Chevron’s Havoline ProDS SAE 0W-20 and SAE 0W-16 are formulated to meet them. This guide covers what the standards mean, which engines these oils are for, and whether a 0W-20 is too thin for South African heat.
What are API SQ and ILSAC GF-7?
API SQ is the latest American Petroleum Institute service category for petrol engines. It replaces API SP and covers all earlier “S” categories. ILSAC GF-7 is the matching standard from the US and Japanese carmakers’ committee. It comes in two parts:
- GF-7A covers grades like 0W-20, 5W-20 and 5W-30, and lines up with API SQ “Resource Conserving” (RC).
- GF-7B covers 0W-16.
Compared with GF-6, the new standards set tighter limits on:
- Low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI): a new aged-oil test checks that protection lasts through the drain interval, not just when the oil is fresh. LSPI can knock and damage small turbo direct-injection engines.
- Piston cleanliness: a stricter deposit limit.
- Timing chain wear: a lower wear limit.
- Fuel economy: higher targets.
One industry infographic ranked Chevron #1 among ten companies leading the move to API SQ / ILSAC GF-7 synthetic oils. That’s one infographic’s view, not an official API or ILSAC ranking.
What is Havoline ProDS 0W-20 and 0W-16?
In the words of the Chevron product data sheet (PDS), Havoline ProDS is a “high performance synthetic engine oil designed for use in petrol and hybrid passenger car engines”. Two grades are built for the new standards:
- Havoline ProDS SAE 0W-20 is “specifically formulated to meet latest ILSAC GF-6A, GF-7A and API SP/RC, SQ/RC standards”.
- Havoline ProDS SAE 0W-16 is “specifically formulated to meet latest ILSAC GF-6B, GF-7B and API SP/RC, SQ/RC standards”.
| Per Chevron PDS | ProDS SAE 0W-20 | ProDS SAE 0W-16 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | API SP/RC, SQ/RC; ILSAC GF-6A, GF-7A; Ford 947-B1 | API SP/RC, SQ/RC; ILSAC GF-6B, GF-7B |
| Suitable for use | Fiat CR1, GSX; Chrysler MS-6395, MS-12145 | n/a |
| Kinematic viscosity at 100 °C | 8.6 mm²/s | 7.3 mm²/s |
| Kinematic viscosity at 40 °C | 45.5 mm²/s | 38 mm²/s |
| Viscosity index | 170 | 164 |
| Pour point | −45 °C | −45 °C |
| Flash point (COC) | 231 °C | 222 °C |
| Density at 15 °C | 0.848 kg/l | 0.848 kg/l |
| Shelf life | 60 months from date of filling on the label | |
Typical test data, not a specification. Sources: Havoline ProDS SAE 0W-20 PDS (EU v4, 23 April 2026) and Havoline ProDS SAE 0W-16 PDS (EU v2, 6 February 2026). Always check the latest PDS.
What the PDS says it does
- A mid-SAPS formulation “to help protect exhaust aftertreatment systems”, including three-way catalysts.
- Improved fuel economy. The 0W-20 is “designed for enhanced fuel economy in petrol and hybrid passenger cars where a 0W-20 is recommended”, and the 0W-16 “in turbocharged engines while maintaining good component protection”.
- Designed to help reduce exhaust emissions.
- Good low-temperature flow, so oil reaches the engine and turbocharger quickly at cold start.
- Advanced cleaning additives for oxidation control, wear protection, engine cleanliness and acid neutralisation.
- Can be used with petrol containing up to 85 % ethanol (E85).
Which engines is it for?
According to the PDS, both grades are “suitable for use in gasoline passenger cars, with or without turbocharger” and in hybrid vehicles needing oils to these specs. The 0W-20 is “typically used for Honda, Mazda and other Japanese OEM’s”. The 0W-16 is “typically used by several Japanese OEM’s”.
In practice that means newer Japanese petrol and hybrid cars whose owner’s manual or oil filler cap calls for 0W-20 or 0W-16. Independent workshops will see more of them once their service plans end.
Not for diesels. The PDS states it “is not intended for use in passenger car diesel engines”. It is not the oil for diesel bakkies, trucks or plant. Chevron also notes it “is unsuitable for some engines. Consult owner manual or handbook if in doubt.”
Is 0W-20 too thin for South African heat?
Not for engines designed for it. The “0W” only describes how easily the oil flows at a cold start. The “20” is its thickness at operating temperature, and that is what protects the engine on a hot day. (Our guide to viscosity explains the numbers.)
Engines that specify 0W-20 or 0W-16 have tight clearances made for thin oil. A thicker oil costs fuel and is slower to reach the top of the engine at start-up. That matters most in hybrids, which stop and restart the petrol engine all the time.
The rule is simple: use the grade in your owner’s manual, not the weather. If the manual says 0W-20 or 0W-16, that grade is right here too. If it calls for a thicker oil, or the engine is a diesel, don’t swap down to 0W-20.
Havoline ProDS 0W-20 and 0W-16 from AVDMM
AVDMM is the authorised Caltex distributor in Benoni and has been supplying the East Rand since 1986. Havoline ProDS 0W-20 and 0W-16 are available on request. Ask us about availability, pack sizes and lead time before you plan a service. For other Caltex passenger-car oils, see our Havoline range. Data sheets for the grades we carry are on our PDS and MSDS page, and we can send the ProDS 0W-20 and 0W-16 sheets on request. Looking for another brand? Start at our brand hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is Havoline ProDS 0W-20 API SQ?
The Chevron PDS lists API SP/RC and SQ/RC, and ILSAC GF-6A and GF-7A, as performance standards it is formulated to meet.
What is the difference between ILSAC GF-7A and GF-7B?
GF-7A covers grades such as 0W-20, 5W-20 and 5W-30. GF-7B covers 0W-16. Havoline ProDS 0W-20 is formulated to meet GF-7A, and ProDS 0W-16 to meet GF-7B.
Can I use 0W-20 in a diesel bakkie?
No. The PDS states it is not intended for use in passenger car diesel engines. Ask us for the right Caltex Delo diesel engine oil.
Can I use 0W-20 in an older or high-mileage petrol engine?
Only if the owner’s manual calls for it. If the manual specifies a thicker grade, stay with that grade.
Is 0W-20 OK in hybrids?
Yes, where the hybrid needs oils that meet API SP/RC, SQ/RC and ILSAC GF-6A, GF-7A (0W-20) or GF-6B, GF-7B (0W-16). The PDS lists both grades as suitable for these hybrids.
Does AVDMM stock Havoline ProDS 0W-20?
It is available on request. Contact us to check availability and lead time.
Ask about availability
Workshops, fleets and motorists across Benoni, the East Rand and Gauteng can send us the vehicle, engine and grade from the manual, and we’ll come back on availability.
Call 011 422 1333 · WhatsApp +27 83 252 0540 · Contact our Benoni counter (27 Liverpool Road, Benoni) · How to pay