As a quick lube owner, you’re in a unique position. Customers pull up expecting fast, reliable service, but they also depend on you to help them make the right decisions about their vehicle’s maintenance. And with newer engine technologies and stricter emissions regulations, the right oil recommendation has never mattered more.

One area where this comes into play is gasoline particulate filters (GPFs). These filters are showing up more and more in today’s gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines. While most drivers have no idea they even exist, they’re crucial to meeting emissions standards and keeping vehicles efficient. But here’s the catch: using the wrong oil can shorten a GPF’s life and cost your customers a lot of money down the road.

That’s where low-ash oils that meet new categories like ILSAC GF-7 come in. Oils formulated with lower sulfated ash levels protect both the engine and the emissions system. This blog will break down what GPFs are, how they work, and how you can educate your customers about why low-ash oils are worth the investment.

What is a gasoline particulate filter (GPF)?
Most newer vehicles from 2006 and on have a GPF filter that sits in the exhaust system and works like a safety net, capturing the fine particulate matter that modern engines, including gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines, produce. These more powerful engines run hotter and offer better fuel economy than older designs. They also create more microscopic soot, which is harmful to air quality and human health if it escapes into the air, which the GPF fitler stops from happening.

The filter itself looks like a ceramic honeycomb. As exhaust gases flow through, soot particles get caught in the walls. To keep the filter from filling up, it goes through a self-cleaning process called regeneration, where the engine runs hot enough to burn the trapped soot into ash, leaving the filter clear and ready to keep working. Many GPFs are even coated with catalysts that help cut down other pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, making them a powerful all-in-one emissions control system.

For drivers, the whole process is invisible. But for you, as a quick lube operator, it’s a critical maintenance factor, because the ash from engine oil doesn’t burn away during regeneration. Over time, those ash deposits can clog the filter for good.

Why oil choice matters more with GPFs
Every engine burns a little oil during regular operation. Traditional oils, while protective for the engine, leave behind metallic ash when they burn. Unlike soot, which can be burned off during regeneration, ash is non-combustible. Once it’s in the filter, it stays there, gradually building up and reducing the GPF’s effectiveness, which can cause:

  • Higher backpressure on the engine
  • Reduced fuel economy
  • Lower engine performance
  • Potentially costly filter replacements

This is where low-SAPS oils, lower levels of sulfated ash, phosphorus, and sulfur, come in. By reducing ash-producing additives, they help keep GPFs cleaner for longer and prevent costly buildup. To meet this need, a new oil standard, ILSAC GF-7, has been introduced. We highlighted this category in a previous blog that shared more information about the GF-7 category and the standards that oils must meet for it.

Talking to customers about GPFs and oil choice
The truth is, most drivers won’t ever hear the phrase “gasoline particulate filter” unless you bring it up. But you don’t need to give them a science lesson. If you want to recommend low-ash oils to your customers, focus on simple, relatable talking points while they’re in the bay deciding which oil to choose:

  • Start with benefits, not jargon.
    “Your car has a filter that keeps the air cleaner. The right oil helps that filter last longer and keeps your engine running at its best.”
  • Connect it to fuel economy.
    “The oil we recommend not only protects your engine, it also helps you avoid losing fuel economy over time.”
  • Emphasize cost savings.
    “If that filter clogs, it can cost thousands to replace. Choosing the right oil now helps prevent that.”
  • Highlight environmental impact.
    “This oil burns cleaner, so your car puts out fewer emissions. It’s better for your car and the air we all breathe.”

By framing the conversation around savings, performance, and protection, you make the choice easier for your customers to understand.

How Chevron’s GF-7 Oils fit into the picture
Chevron’s new GF-7 oils were launched this spring. These oils are made for today’s modern engines and their GPF fitler needs. When talking with your customers, you can highlight these key benefits:

  • Built for modern driving: Fully synthetic oils with cleaning boosters that handle heat, heavy loads, and stop-and-go traffic with ease.
  • Helps save fuel: Keeps engines running efficiently so customers can see real benefits at the pump.
  • Extra protection for engines and filters: Low ash levels help prevent clogs and wear, keeping the engine healthy longer.
  • Easy to pick: Updated packaging makes it simple to find the right oil for any vehicle.

Why your quick lube business should recommend low-ash oils
Recommending low-ash, GF-7-compliant oils isn’t just good for your customers, it’s good for your business too. Some of the benefits your shop could see from adopting this approach include:

  • Make more per visit: Premium oils mean higher ticket averages without adding extra work.
  • Build customer trust: Showing you care about their engine and GPF helps them feel confident in your expertise.
  • Stand out from the crowd: Not every shop takes the time to educate — you do, and that sets you apart.
  • Be ready for the future: More and more cars are coming with GPFs, so staying ahead now keeps you prepared.

Give your customers what they need.
Gasoline particulate filters aren’t going anywhere, and your shop needs to be ready. By recommending low-ash oils that meet the ILSAC GF-7 standard, you help your customers protect their engines, maintain fuel economy, avoid costly repairs, and reduce emissions. Customers aren’t just stopping in for an oil change. They’re looking for guidance to keep their vehicles running at their best. By sharing your expertise and stocking your shop with premium products like Chevron’s GF-7 oils, you provide real value and build lasting loyalty. Reach out to your Greg’s Petroleum representative today to make sure your shop has everything you need to serve your customers with confidence.