VLS Newsletter – February 2023
Case Summary
Overall the number of cases stands at 84, with 7 products under investigation, 6 compliant during investigation, 3 compliant following investigation and 68 archived.
Case 010185 – concerns the low temperature properties of a 75W-90 Fully Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid and is under investigation.
Case 010184 – concerns the low temperature properties of a 75W-90 automotive gear oil and is under investigation.
Case 010182 – concerns a hydraulic oil and its compliance against the DIN 51524 Part 2 standard. VLS has instructed its testing laboratory to procure and test a sample of the product.
Case 010181 – concerns PCEO 5W-30. VLS has asked the complainant to revise the case registration form with details of where the product is currently available on open sale.
Case 010180 – concerns PCEO 5W-30. The complainant has withdrawn the complaint as the product is not available on open sale in the United Kingdom and therefore VLS cannot investigate the complaint. The case is therefore closed.
Case 010179 – concerning 5W-40 engine oil and the mix of ACEA and OEM performance claims made on it. The product has been investigated and found to be compliant at the time of manufacture, the case is closed subject to a six month review.
Case 010178 – concerning 10W-40 engine oil and the performance claims made on it. The product is subject to testing to validate and verify the claims made.
Case 010177 – concerning 5W-30 passenger car engine oil and the performance claims made on it. The case has been superseded as it could not be proven to be available on open sale in the UK.
Case 010176 – concerning 0W-30 PCEO and the claims made against OEM specifications is under investigation.
Case 010175 – closed pending a six month review.
Case 010174 – concerning 5W-30 PCEO and the ACEA and OEM claims made and is under investigation. A sample of the product is unable to be sourced in the UK and therefore the case does not meet VLS’s requirements to be available on open sale.
Case 010172 – six month review completed. Named Party informed and case closed.
Case 010171 – concerned claims for approvals made against OEM specifications with the investigation now concluded and the results published to the website. The case is subject to a six month review which is currently underway.
Case 010169 – six month review completed, Named Party informed and case closed.
Case 010167 – a meeting has been held with the Named Party as part of the six month review process, and we await their feedback.
Case 010159 – remains under investigation and has been passed to UEIL regarding the claims made on 5W-30 automotive engine oil. UEIL has written to the OEMs referenced on the product labelling who are pursuing the matter.
To view the case outcomes, visit http://ukla-vls.org.uk/case-outcomes/
To raise a case with VLS, visit http://ukla-vls.org.uk/case-handling-process/
VLS can only investigate complaints made against products available on open sale in the UK. For case submission guidance visit https://ukla-vls.org.uk/publications/
Industry News
SMMT report annual UK car production down by 9.8%.
ACEA report on the fuel mix of new car sales.
The IGA calls for an extension to the UK Government consultation on 4 /1/1/ MOT testing.
Department of Transport are consulting on proposals for 4/1/1 MOT Testing. VLS’s parent UKLA has written to the Department opposing the move on road and vehicle safety grounds.
The EU is holding a one day conference for stakeholders on mitigating the social impact of automation and digitisation in transport.
ILMA have released a Kline-commissioned report on The Impact of Electric Vehicles (EVs) on the Global Lubricants Market.
CECRA The Independent Service Providers urge the EU Commission to end the delay on access to in-vehicle data legislation.
UEIL and ATIEL develop a methodology to report on the product carbon footprint of lubricants and greases.
Media Editorial
Garagetalkonline, January 2023. VLS urges motorists not to put off vital oil changes as the cost of living bites.
Garagewire, January 2023. Don’t put off vital oil changes motorists warned as the cost of living bites.
Autorepair focus, January 2023. VLS warns drivers not to skip an essential oil change.
Aftermarket Online, January 2023. Garages urged to highlight importance of oil changes to customers.
Autotechnician, January/February 2023. Workshops urged to warn motorists on the risks of skipping oil maintenance.
Professional Motor Mechanic, January 2023. VLS issues oil change warning.
Lube magazine, February 2023, page 47. VLS reports on the outcome of VLS 010169 regarding PCEO 5W-30.
Lube magazine, February 2023, Page 46. VLS Chairman Mike Bewsey reports on the contribution that product surveys can make to lubricant compliance.
Media Advertising
Lube magazine, February 2023, half page VLS advert. Page 47.
Professional Motor Mechanic, February 2023. Half page advert, Page 27.
Commercial Vehicle Workshop, February 2023, half page advert.
Events
Argus Global Base Oils Conference, February 20-22, 2023.
ICIS World Base Oils Conference, Windsor, 3-5 May, 2023.
UEIL Congress, Manchester 31 May to 2 June 2023.
Automechanika UK 6-8 June 2023, NEC, Birmingham.
Social Media
Twitter
To follow VLS on Twitter click here.
LinkedIn
To follow VLS on LinkedIn click here
Stay Up To Date
If your media team would like access to VLS press releases, newsfeeds and notifications from our social media accounts, please email admin@ukla-vls.org.uk, and we will add your name to our list of contacts.
Mike Bewsey
VLS Chairman
