Lube-Tech PUBLISHED BY LUBE: THE EUROPEAN LUBRICANTS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
oils and clearer OEM specification definitions (e.g. BMW Long life codes), is encouraging transparency and strengthening lubricant market integrity.
Additive companies’ support
Major additive suppliers heavily invest in developing reliable additive packages meeting stringent tests. They provide comprehensive data packages to lubricant blenders, ensuring adherence to recommended formulations. Additive companies actively support VLS and enforce compliance through rigorous test assurance programs (ATC Codes of Practice, BOI/VGRA guidelines), collectively safeguarding lubricant quality and market credibility.
Overall, the trend is likely toward greater transparency rather than heavy-handed legislation. The industry generally prefers to police itself to avoid external regulation and through organisations like ATIEL, ATC, ACEA and national associations, we are collectively ramping up efforts. The “grey zone” where a dubious product could be sold is shrinking as information flows more freely, but there remains the critical piece of the puzzle: educating the users and the market to make more informed choices.
Educating lubricant users: bridging the knowledge gap Even the best specifications and oversight mean little if the people choosing and changing oils are not aware of their significance. Education is key at multiple levels: from large fleet maintenance managers to the mechanic at the local garage and ultimately down to the individual consumer who might buy a litre of top-up oil at a service station. A technically knowledgeable audience may know the difference between a fully approved oil and an SFU claim, but many end users do not. Thus, a concerted effort is needed to convey why it matters.
For professional mechanics, wholesalers and service centres, training and information can be provided
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through industry channels. Many OEMs include oil selection as part of their certified training for dealership technicians. They emphasise using the specified oil grade and specification and warn of consequences of deviating. Independent workshops however more often do not have direct OEM guidance, so industry associations and oil suppliers step in: for example, the UKLA’s VLS has produced guidance leaflets like “How to buy the right oil for your vehicle,” decoding the letters on oil packs and highlighting the importance of correct oil choice. These materials help mechanics and consumers alike to understand that an ACEA code or OEM spec on a bottle is not just jargon but a quality indicator. VLS’s consumer leaflet explains how their work ensures lubricant product claims are valid, so motorists can make an informed purchase. Similarly, major oil companies often print educational info on their websites or even on the product labels – explaining that “meets specification X” means the oil should only be used if it matches the car’s requirements and urging users to check their owner’s manual. The goal is to instil a habit: always use an oil that at least claims the specification your engine needs, and preferably one that is approved or from a reputable brand.
Figure 6: The image illustrates a comparison between pistons from an engine testing conducted at Lubrizol’s test facility. The front piston is from an engine tested with a SFU engine oil, which failed at 23 hours, while the rear piston is from an engine using an OEM-approved engine oil, successfully completing the full test at 96 hours. Image owned and protected by Lubrizol.
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.187 JUNE 2025
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