| Synthetic Motor Oil Claiming Larger Share of Market
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Automotive Marketing has reported that synthetics are fast becoming synonymous with quality and is one of the hottest growth areas for automotive chemicals. "Manufacturers say synthetic and synthetic blend motor oils prevent wear much better and do not break down or burn off as easily as conventional oils."
Synthetics, the article continues, "flow more readily at extreme temperatures, which is why they have been used in military vehicles and airplanes for years. (Germany's World War II machine virtually ran on synthetics.)
The writer continues, "On average, traditional engine oil should be changed every 3,000 to 4,000 miles. With synthetic oils, the range is much larger; in fact, some manufacturers claim they last as long as 10,000 miles. According to Automotive Marketing, synthetic lubrication will continue to become more widely used. "With most of the retailers carrying synthetics, including the AutoZone, Pep Boys, CSK, O'Reilly, Sears, K-mart and Wal-Mart, this market will likely continue to increase".
Freedonia Group, Inc. supports this assessment by forecasting synthetic and synthetic-blend motor oils will account for 10 percent of the market by 2003, compared with 7 percent currently.
But the key is convincing consumers that synthetic lubrication is the way to go. As Automotive Marketing writes, "The oil industry is still having a tough time convincing consumers about the merits of synthetic products. A quart of synthetic motor oil can cost three to four times more than a quart of petroleum-based oil."
However, the benefits of synthetics justify the higher initial costs. Today's engines are smaller, tighter and work harder. They need the superior protection of a modern day synthetic motor oil.
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HEAVY DUTY DIESEL OILS
AMSOIL Direct Line
Lubrizol Heavy Duty Diesel Oils surveyed over 100 major U.S. fleets of trucks to determine their expense breakdown. The results are as follows: 37% is spent on fuel, 25% on maintenance, 16% on depreciation, 14% on overhead, 7% on tires and only 1% on lubes.
NMMA AND THE EPA
Lubricants World
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is working with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop uniform standards of emissions control of two-cycle engines instead of piecemeal community standards. Jointly developed EPA-NMMA standards called for a 75% reduction in carbureted two-cycle engine emissions between 1998 and 2006.
GM EXPERIENCES OIL LEAKS
AMSOIL Direct Line
The upper and lower crankcase joint may leak on certain GM models due to scratches, nicks or imperfections in the upper and /or lower crankcase. In order to correct the problem, the engine must be disassembled in order to replace the crankcase seal. The repair may be covered under warranty, and if you experience a leak, refer to your local GM dealers. GM models affected: 1993 Cadillac Allante; 1994-1996 Cadillac Deville Contours; Eldorado and Seville; and 1995-1996 Oldsmobile Aurora models with the 4.0L or 4.6L V8 engines (VINs C, Y and 9).
ATF EXCHANGE MACHINES
Lubes 'N' Greases
The popularity of automatic transmission fluid exchange machines is growing among quick lube businesses. These machines allow quick lubes to change a vehicle's automatic transmission fluid in less than 30 minutes, usually without having to drop the transmission drain pan.
HEARD AT AOCA
AMSOIL DirectLine
Dr. Fran Lockwood of the Valvoline Corp. presented, "The Future of Extended Drain Intervals" to the Automotive Oil Change Association convention in Albuquerque. Lockwood said that Volkswagen intends to introduce a 2000 model year car with a 30,000 km (18,641 mi)/24 month oil change interval recommendation. Peugot has introduced a 1999 model automobile with the same recommendation. Mercedes Benz intends to recommend "Fill-for-life" engine oil changes by 2010. Lockwood also noted that Ford found in a recent survey that a majority of its customers would prefer to use oils that last longer than the normally recommended drain intervals and would pay up to four times as much for such oils as they pay for conventional oils.
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