A couple of new things our government is doing to protect us...from ourselves

[racerrad8]

Well, a couple of this are happening now in California and more from the EPA.

From California:
I have been using Valvoline VR1 Racing oil for more than 20 years in my race cars and FJ's. I wen to buy some this week and was told it can't be sold in California anymore...

California Bans Sale of Obsolete Motor Oils

By Kiara Candelaria • March 2, 2016

California this year began prohibiting the sale of engine oils and lubricants considered obsolete by American Petroleum Institute standards. The regulation outlaws sale of several specifications of oil previously permitted by the state, the newest being API SH.

The bill makes amendments to various sections in the California Business and Professions Code regarding the sale and labeling of lubricant products. The law now requires that engine oils and lubricants meet, at minimum, one active API classification, one active sequence of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) or one active original equipment manufacturer specification.

The current API classifications for gasoline engines are API SJ, SL, SM and SN. The law further states that the API, ACEA or OEM specification and the viscosity grade of the lubricant must be clearly labeled on the product.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture's Division of Measurement Standards, which regulates weights and measures and oversees quality and labeling of lubricants, reported that it and the law's author, California assembly member Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Calif.), engaged with lubricant stakeholder groups on the impacts of the mandate and received no objections to the final bill.

A spokesman for the CDFA told Lube Report, "Outdated specifications will be amended or deleted." He added that the department is currently communicating with lubricant producers, wholesalers and retailers about the products that can no longer be sold in the state.

Two representatives from industry groups gave Lube Report their opinion on the legislation, which went into effect Jan. 1.

Tom Glenn, president of the Petroleum Quality Institute of America,said he supports the legislation. He understands that oils under the API SA classification "continue to have a place in the marketplace as compressor oils, jack oils and some small engine oils," but added that applications are limited.

"I think there are some applications for SA that are still legitimate, but [SB through SH] are obsolete, and they really have no place in the market now," said Glenn.

Banning the sale of obsolete engine oils in the state represents some issues for lubricant manufacturers that provide specialty oils, said Jeffrey Leiter, legal counsel for the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association, of Leiter & Cramer PLLC. While the legislation specifies the performance standards for engine oils, Leiter noted that it does not detail what standards specialty lubricants must meet.

"For example, there are some ILMA member companies that produce specialty lubricants, like racing oils for high-performance cars on tracks and hot rods, where in many instances the oil marketer will overtreat the products with additives, so it doesn't neatly fit within an API [or ACEA] specification," Leiter explained.

According to Leiter, many ILMA members produce and market engine oils deemed obsolete because of consumer requests or because they need to have products that compete with those of other manufacturers. He added that antique car clubs, which prefer to use obsolete classifications on their engines, also expressed concern over this legislation.

But obsolete products, which contain less additives and/or lower quality base stocks, do not protect older engines as well as oils that meet newer specifications, said Glenn, even if it saves the owners some money.

"There might be a market for [obsolete motor oils], but that market doesn't really understand that they are accelerating the demise of their vehicles by using these older- spec products," Glenn explained.

Both Leiter and Glenn emphasized that current API classifications are backwards compatible with older engines and in fact may protect them better than the specifications that were developed for them.

They also agreed that obsolete engine oils should have their specs clearly labeled, with Glenn adding that they should not be sold alongside products with current specs, since they can confuse or even deceive consumers. "If it's obsolete, it shouldn't be on the shelves," he said.

That was followed by this article sent to me this morning...
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/new-epa-modifications-rule-would-jeopardize-racing-in-america?src=SOC&dom=fb

I think this might be an extension of this same topic I posted about government over-reach: More government over reach

It is time we are in touch with our senators & congressmen to tell them enough is enough.

Randy - RPM

[Bandit650]

It beggars belief that they have that much time on their hands over there in your senate and government to even consider researching and conducting investigations and reports into items like the post above.
Wouldn't you just love to know who thought this was that important that it needed to be legislated !
You can just imagine how many of your tax dollars went into getting this done.

[rktmanfj]

It beggars belief that they have that much time on their hands over there in your senate and government to even consider researching and conducting investigations and reports into items like the post above.
Wouldn't you just love to know who thought this was that important that it needed to be legislated !
You can just imagine how many of your tax dollars went into getting this done.

The EPA is a bloated government agency, chock full of bureaucrats, whose job it is to do exactly that.  It has gotten exponentially out of hand in recent years.  They are even trying to claim rights to all water, even rainwater.

[theLeopard]

that was the only straight 50weight oil for sale around here.
fuck the feds!

[PaulG]

A few comments. Please excuse the cynicism but I just can't help it....   

Tom Glenn, president of the Petroleum Quality Institute of America,said he supports the legislation.

Curious how the "industry" (which is usually represented by top producers due to their economic clout) falls lock-step behind the gov't with this

Banning the sale of obsolete engine oils in the state represents some issues for lubricant manufacturers that provide specialty oils...

It wouldn't be a blatant attempt by the large manufacturers to grab market share

"For example, there are some ILMA member companies that produce specialty lubricants, like racing oils for high-performance cars on tracks and hot rods, where in many instances the oil marketer will overtreat the products with additives, so it doesn't neatly fit within an API [or ACEA] specification," Leiter explained.

By driving the smaller manufacturers out of business

According to Leiter, many ILMA members produce and market engine oils deemed obsolete because of consumer requests .... But obsolete products, which contain less additives and/or lower quality base stocks, do not protect older engines as well as oils that meet newer specifications...

Which are also a PIA for the large manufacturers to produce and they would rather see them gone - they probably make nil profit on them, but only produce them to maintain their market share

"There might be a market for [obsolete motor oils], but that market doesn't really understand that they are accelerating the demise of their vehicles by using these older- spec products," Glenn explained.

SPIN Doctor

Both Leiter and Glenn emphasized that current API classifications are backwards compatible with older engines and in fact may protect them better than the specifications that were developed for them.

The key legalese here is MAY, as they obviously have done no research to confirm this.

They also agreed that obsolete engine oils should have their specs clearly labeled, with Glenn adding that they should not be sold alongside products with current specs, since they can confuse or even deceive consumers. "If it's obsolete, it shouldn't be on the shelves," he said.[/i][/size]

Cuz you're all a buncha' reetards, and can't see the sign on the shelf that plainly says SPECIALTY OILS

As far as banning off-road oil... Yes all racing series would be affected.  Including all international series like F1, MotoGP, WSBK, etc.  What then? Will the FIA & FIM turn its back on America?  F1 oils are specifically blended for one car for that particular day.  They make these at the track while they practice and qualify. The two cars on the team don't even have the same blend.  I doubt if any spec exists for this.

It doesn't sound like the industry is foreseeing the results of unintended consequences, or do they even care?  It looks like they are perfectly willing to let the government be the hatchet man to their economic benefit.  That way they can do the Pontious Pilate act and wash their hands of it and say "Oh well, nothing here, move along..."

Getting cold, time to put on my tinfoil toque.

[rlucas]

Getting cold, time to put on my tinfoil toque.

Can I get one of those at Canadian Tire?

[racerrad8]

FYI, here is the response I received from Valvoline. It sounds like they are trying to get it sorted and back on the shelves in California.

Randy - RPM


Randy, thank you for contacting Valvoline Product Support with your questions and concerns for finding/using our VR1 Racing Oils.

At the first of this year, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) revised the code pertaining to labeling requirements for engine oils.  Valvoline is cooperating with the CDFA to better understand the scope, intent, and detail of this revision to their labeling requirements.

In the interim, we have identified that certain Valvoline product may not be compliant with our current interpretation of section 13482 of the CDFA code, as it is currently written.  To minimize any disruption, we have recommended to stores that these products be removed from circulation in the state of California only, until we can gain further clarity regarding this new law and until we can implement corrective actions where necessary.

We regret this inconvenience and are working diligently with the state of California to reconcile this issue.  We hope to have a resolution in place and start shipping these products back into stores throughout California with-in the next 3-4 weeks.  

If you need these products before they are re-released to the stores in California, mail order companies like Jegs and Summit Racing do offer our line of VR1 Racing Oils.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us via phone at 800 TEAM VAL or by email at valsupport@ashland.com for assistance.  

Thank you and have a great day.
Dave
Valvoline Product Support


Thank you,



Valvoline Product Support

[TexasDave]

At the first of this year, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) revised the code pertaining to labeling requirements for engine oils.  Valvoline is cooperating with the CDFA to better understand the scope, intent, and detail of this revision to their labeling requirements.

I would think this department should be more concerned with the affects of the multi year drought on CA agriculture than the labeling of engine oils. But that's just me.

Californians are lucky to have a FULL TIME legislative body(one of only three states) to make sure the people are properly regulated in all things. I am happy to see them regulating what kind of oil they can use in their vehicles. Maybe this will put a stop to all the oil thread arguments.       

California is a nice state but I would not want to live there. Written from the free and heavily armed great state of Texas.

Dave