LSAC, the U.S.- Japanese auto industrys lubricants committee, has not yet reached consensus, Automotive Editor David McFall cautions, but for some time it has been considering the proper approach for lubricating light-duty diesel engines. The group is deciding now whether to recommend a new light-duty diesel service category to API, and if so, what that category should be.
Diesel-powered passenger vehicles number more than 500,000 in the United States, David reports, and J.D. Power and Associates predicts they will account for more than 15 percent of the U.S. personal-use ?eet by 2015. As a result, pressure is rising for an API light-duty diesel service category. The big question is whether API can adopt an existing European classification or category, and how?
Please stay tuned, as David covers this breaking story in coming issues. And dont miss the terrific conclusion this month of Davids series on quality in the lube industry. Starting on page 6, he brings us unvarnished views from motor oil buyers and installers.
Its here! The ?rst of our completely updated, exclusive 2006 Global Base Stock Guides is now available. The 2006 Global Guide to Base Oil Re?ning is a colorful 33 by 22 inch wall chart listing 150 worldwide mineral base oil re?neries. The Guide includes company names, locations and details on capacity by product type and API Group.
The 2006 Base Oil Re?ning Guide is enclosed with this issue for most print edition subscribers. Please visit www.LNGpublishing.com/base.htm for information on ordering copies. The companion 2006 Guide to Nonconventional Base Stocks (esters, silicones, PIBs, PAGs, phosphate esters, PAO, GTL and more) will be published in September.