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 Yesterday was a good day for Car Owners. It's the day changes made to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce Handbook 130 took effect.
In short, the changes require that fast lubes, new car dealers, and others that change engine oil for a fee (installers) must let you (the consumer) know the brand, SAE viscosity grade, and API service classification of the oil they use to service your car.
This information must appear on the receipts consumers receive in those states adopting changes to Handbook 130 (see map below). Further, this information must also appear on the bulk tanks and other storage containers installers use to service cars.
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States Shown in Blue Adopted and Will Enforce Changes to Handbook 130 addressing lubricant labeling that Took Effect
July 1, 2013... Other States will Likely Follow
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And if you think such information is basic to a consumer right to know, PQIA agrees and says this requirement is a long time in coming and installers have had a year to prepare for it.
In fact, the president of the Petroleum Quality Institute of America, "Thomas F. Glenn says, "There is no way I would have the motor oil changed in my car without knowing the SAE viscosity grade, API Service Classification, and Brand of the product they use." Further, Glenn adds "I want to be sure the motor oil used to service my car meets the requirements set forth by the manufacturer to assure my warranties remained in place. And if the fast lube store, new car dealer or other installer servicing my car is unwilling to put such information in writing on my receipt, I would go somewhere else for an oil change."
So once again, it's a good day for car owners. As of yesterday, twenty states adopted and will enforce changes to Handbook 130 that require installers to document (on sales receipts) the service classification, viscosity grade, and the brand of motor oil used to service their customer's cars... And other states will likely follow.
Handbook 130 is a NIST publication. The content is the result of proposals that were voted on by the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM), which is made up of state and local regulators, industry and federal members (NIST staff serve as technical advisors). It is then up to each state individually to adopt that content.
Note to lubricant manufacturer and distributors:
Take note of the changes made to U.S. Department of Commerce Handbook 130 and the states that adopted and enforce it starting July 1. Keep your eyes open for fast lubes, new car dealers and other installers that do not comply. And, let PQIA know who they are.
The following are the changes made to National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce Handbook 130 that took effect July 1, 2013 in many states.
The label on any vehicle engine (motor) oil container, receptacle, dispenser, or storage tank, and any invoice or receipt from service on an engine that includes the installation of vehicle engine (motor) oil dispensed from a receptacle, dispenser, or storage tank, shall contain the viscosity grade classification preceded by the letters "SAE" in accordance with SAE International's latest version of SAE J300, "Engine Oil Viscosity Classification."
2.33.1.2. Intended Use.
The label on any vehicle engine (motor) oil container shall contain a statement
Of its intended use in accordance with the latest version of SAE J183, "Engine Oil Performance and Engine
Service Classification (other than Energy Conserving)."
2.33.1.3. Brand.
The label on any vehicle engine (motor) oil container and the invoice or receipt from service on an engine that includes the installation of vehicle engine (motor) oil dispensed from a receptacle, dispenser, or storage tank shall contain the name, brand, trademark, or trade name of the vehicle engine (motor) oil.
2.33.1.4. Engine Service Category.
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The label on any vehicle engine (motor) oil container, receptacle, dispenser, or storage tank and the invoice or receipt from service on an engine that includes the installation of vehicle engine (motor) oil dispensed from a receptacle, dispenser, or storage tank shall contain the engine service category, or categories, met in letters not less than 3.18mm (1/8 in) in height, as defined by the latest version of SAE J183, "Engine Oil Performance and Engine Service Classification (other than Energy Conserving)" or API Publication 1509, " Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System."
2.33.1.4.1. Inactive or Obsolete Service Categories.
The label on any vehicle engine (motor) oil container, receptacle, dispenser, or storage tank and the invoice or receipt from service on an engine that includes the installation of vehicle engine (motor) oil dispensed from a receptacle, dispenser, or storage tank shall bear a plainly visible cautionary statement in compliance with the latest version of SAE J183, Appendix A, whenever the vehicle engine (motor) oil in the container or in bulk does not meet an active API service category as defined by the latest version of SAE J183, "Engine Oil Performance and Engine Service Classification (other than Energy Conserving). "
2.33.1.5. Tank Trucks or Rail Cars.
Tank trucks, rail cars, and other types of delivery trucks that are used to deliver vehicle engine (motor) oil are not required to display the SAE viscosity grade and service category or categories as long as the bill of lading or other documentation provides that information.
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For more, see: http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/pubs/upload/hb130-13-final.pdf
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