NIST Handbook 130 And Transmission Fluids Jeffrey Harmening, American Petroleum Institute (API)
API American Petroleum Institute (API) 600+ member non-profit trade association that represents all aspects of America s oil and natural gas industry
API s MOTOR OIL EXPERIENCE American Petroleum Institute (API) 65 years setting performance standards for motor oil 20 years licensing oils against standards 20 years testing licensed and unlicensed oils Independent lab purchases packaged and bulk samples Second lab tests samples and reports results to API API takes action when oil fails
API Packaged licensed oils easy to find
API API quality oils also found at locations displaying
Brought clarity to engine oil now need to focus on transmission fluids
TRANSMISSION FLUID STANDARDS API publishes API 1560, Lubricant Service Designations for Automotive Manual Transmissions, Manual Transaxles, and Axles
TRANSMISSION FLUID STANDARDS SAE publishes at least two: J306, Automotive Gear Lubricant Viscosity Classification, and J308, Axle and Manual Transmission Lubricants
TRANSMISSION FLUID STANDARDS Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) and transmission fluid standards largely produced by OEMs: for example, GM Dexron, Ford Mercon, Allison, Mopar
THE PROBLEM Lots of performance claims with little control over claims OEMs license specs but not aware of OEM aftermarket testing ILMA and PQIA have done some Significantly more diversification of ATF specs
THE PROBLEM Lots of performance claims with little control over claims Proper identification of ATF performance critical (both viscosity and specs met) Transmission fluids need to meet performance claims
THE SOLUTION Quality monitoring by third party like API ideal but best to start with disclosure NIST Handbook 130 has model regulations for transmission fluids But need to be revised to address current industry practice and require ID of OEM specs met And added to Handbook 130 method of sale
CURRENT REQS PLUS POSSIBLE CHANGES 2.13. Products for Use in Lubricating Manual Transmissions, Gears, or Axles. Shall not be sold or distributed for use in lubricating manual transmissions, gears, or axles unless the product conforms to the following specifications: (a) it is labeled or identified on an invoice or receipt when dispensed from a receptacle, dispenser or storage tank with one or more of the service designations found in the latest version of the SAE Information Report on axle and manual transmission lubricants, SAE J308, and API Publication 1560, and a vehicle or engine manufacturer standard and meets all applicable requirements of those designations;
CURRENT REQS PLUS POSSIBLE CHANGES (continued) 2.13. Products for Use in Lubricating Manual Transmissions, Gears, or Axles. (b) the product shall meet its labeled viscosity grade classification as specified in the latest version of SAE J306; and (c) the product shall be free from water and suspended matter when tested by means of centrifuge, in accordance with the latest version of ASTM D2273, Standard Test Method for Trace Sediment in Lubricating Oils.
CURRENT REQS PLUS POSSIBLE CHANGES 2.14. Products for Use in Lubricating Automatic Transmissions. Any automatic transmission fluid sold without limitation as to type of transmission for which it is intended shall meet all automotive manufacturers recommended requirements for transmissions in general use in the state. Automatic transmission fluids that are intended for use only in certain transmissions, as disclosed on the label of its container or identified on an invoice or receipt when dispensed from a receptacle, dispenser or storage tank, shall meet the latest automotive manufacturers recommended requirements for those transmissions. Adherence to automotive manufacturers recommended requirements shall be based on tests currently available to the lubricants industry and the state regulatory agency.
CURRENT REQS PLUS POSSIBLE CHANGES (continued) 2.14. Products for Use in Lubricating Automatic Transmissions. Any material offered for sale or sold as an additive to automatic transmission fluids shall be compatible with the automatic transmission fluid to which it is added, and shall meet all performance claims as stated on the label or identified on an invoice or receipt when dispensed from a receptacle, dispenser or storage tank. Any manufacturer of any such product sold in this state shall provide, upon request by a duly authorized representative of the Director, documentation of any claims made on their product label or identified on an invoice or receipt when dispensed from a receptacle, dispenser or storage tank.
CURRENT REQS PLUS POSSIBLE CHANGES 3.13.3. Labeling of Gear Oil. 3.13.3.1. Viscosity. The label on any gear oil container, receptacle, dispenser, or storage tank and the invoice or receipt from service on a manual transmission, gear or axle that includes the installation of gear oil dispensed from a receptacle, dispenser, or storage tank on each container of gear oil shall contain the viscosity grade classification preceded by the letters SAE in accordance with the SAE International s latest version of SAE J306, Automotive Gear Lubricant Viscosity Classification or SAE J300, Engine Oil Viscosity Classification.
CURRENT REQS PLUS POSSIBLE CHANGES (continued) 3.13.3. Labeling of Gear Oil. 3.13.3.1.1. Exception. Some automotive equipment manufacturers may not specify an SAE viscosity grade requirement for some applications. Gear oils intended to be used only in such applications are not required to contain an SAE viscosity grade on their labels.
CURRENT REQS PLUS POSSIBLE CHANGES (continued) 3.13.3. Labeling of Gear Oil. 3.13.3.2. Service Category. The label on each gear oil container, receptacle, dispenser, or storage tank and the invoice or receipt from service on a manual transmission, gear or axle that includes the installation of gear oil dispensed from a receptacle, dispenser, or storage tank container of gear oil shall contain the service category, or categories, or vehicle manufacturer standard or standards met by the gear oil in letters not less than 3.18 mm ( 1 /8 in) in height, as defined by the latest version of SAE J308, Axle and Manual Transmission Lubricants or a vehicle or engine manufacturer standard or standards.
CURRENT REQS PLUS POSSIBLE CHANGES 3.14. Automatic Transmission Fluid. 3.14.1. Labeling. The label on a container of automatic transmission fluid or the invoice or receipt from service on an automatic transmission that includes the installation of automatic transmission fluid dispensed from a receptacle, dispenser, or storage tank shall not contain any information that is false or misleading. In addition, each container, receptacle or storage tank of automatic transmission fluid shall be labeled with the following: (a) the brand name; (b) the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, seller, or distributor; (c) the words Automatic Transmission Fluid ; (d) the duty type of classification; and (e) an accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of liquid measure.
CURRENT REQS PLUS POSSIBLE CHANGES (continued) 3.14. Automatic Transmission Fluid. 3.14.2. Documentation of Claims Made Upon Product Label. Any manufacturer, or packer, distributor, or installer of any product subject to this article and sold in this state shall provide, upon request of duly authorized representatives of the Director, documentation of any claim made upon their product label or invoice or receipt from service.
NEXT STEPS Circulate possible changes to industry organizations Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA) API Lubricants Group Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA) Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA)
NEXT STEPS Then propose changes to National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) regions Four regions ideally all must agree to put to vote NCWM votes once per year on Handbook 130 changes (July) If adopted by NCWM, becomes law in approximately 20 states once latest edition of Handbook 130 published
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME Questions Jeff Harmening AMAP and DEF Manager 202 682 8310 harmeningj@api.org Kevin Ferrick www.api.org/eolcs Program Manager www.motoroilmatters.org 202 682 8233 ferrick@api.org