2012 - DIFM Labeling
3.
The results of the survey indicate strong
support for the National Conference on Weights
and Measures amendments to the National
Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook
130 as it relates to bulk motor oil sales. The
amendments, which become enforceable on July 1,
2013, require retail installers to provide the
SAE viscosity grade, API Service Classification,
and lubricant brand on customer invoices for oil
change services. In addition, the amendment will
require a cautionary statement on bulk tanks and
invoices when the motor used to service a
vehicle does not meet an active API service
category.
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America
conducted a survey completed by 161 industry
participants, including major oil companies,
independent lubricant manufacturers, lubricant
additive suppliers, and others, in September
2012. The purpose of the survey was to gather
opinions from lubricant industry stakeholders
about the labeling of bulk lubricants at
Do-it-for-me (DIFM) outlets (e.g. fast lubes,
new car dealers) and the documentation such
outlets should provide to their customers.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The PQIA online survey was conducted between
September 6 and September 28, 2012.
The
survey comprised qualitative questions about the
information provided to consumers when they have
their oil changed at DIFM outlets.
Great care has been taken to preserve the
anonymity of survey participants. In addition,
responses were filtered to remove company
specific comments.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Survey participants included 161 respondents;
45% are lubricant marketers/distributors, and
14% each are major oil companies and independent
lubricant manufacturers. The balance is additive
companies, installers, and others.
SURVEY RESULTS
The following are the results of the survey,
including links to verbatim responses to two
open-ended questions.
1 - Would you have your car serviced with engine
oil without knowing the brand, viscosity grade,
and API Service Classification of the product
used?
The majority, nearly 91%, of stakeholders in the
lubricants business would not have their car
serviced with engine oil without knowing the
brand, viscosity grade, and API Service
Classification of the product used. Of the few
who would, they say they would if they trusted
the installer and/or had previously
relationships with them.
2- How important is it that fast lube operators
include the following information on the
invoices/bills they provide to their customers?
The majority of respondents to the PQIA survey
believe that lubricant brand, viscosity grade,
and the API Service Classification are important
for fast lube operators to include on invoices
they provide to their customers.
Whereas identification of brand is
considered important to include on a customer’s
invoice, it’s generally considered less
important than the SAE viscosity grade, and the
API Service Category. This is because some say
the brand name is tied more to marketing than
performance. At the same time, customers should
know the brand of the oil used to service their
vehicle.
By far, the majority of respondents to the PQIA
survey say they provide documentation to their
customers on the brand, SAE viscosity grade, and
API Service category for the engine oils they
sell. And for the few that don’t, most say they
would be more than glad to provide such
information upon request.
4- If an API obsolete engine oil is used to
service an older car, should the fast lube
operator tell its customer that the oil is
"obsolete?" If not, why?
Eighty seven percent of survey respondents say a
fast lube operator should advise its customers
if engine oil deemed “Obsolete” by the API is
used to service their vehicle. Many comment that
all
current oils are backward compatible so stocking
obsolete products is unnecessary.
Of the few who feel it is not necessary to
advise consumers when obsolete oils are used,
they generally say it doesn’t matter as long as
the oil used meets the requirements for the make
and model of the vehicles being serviced.
5- Should sellers (manufacturers, marketers,
installers) of engine oils provide their
customers with documentation on the brand,
viscosity grade and API service classification
for the engine oils they sell?
This
report summarizes responses to a survey
conducted by the Petroleum Quality Institute of
America (PQIA) dealing with the information
provided to consumers when they purchase engine
oil from such Do-it-for-Me installers as fast
lubes, new car dealers and others.
Petroleum Quality Institute of America
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is an independent resource for information and insights on the quality and performance of lubricants in the marketplace. Our mission is to serve the consumer of lubricants by reporting on the quality and integrity of lubricants in themarketplace.
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