API emergency provision - Group 3

[Foxtrot08]

Thanks for the info!
Well, do we know the percentage ratio of base oils for an oil to be called a synthetic blend? Was it 20-30% group III / PAO or less?

Nope. As far as my understanding, it can (legally) be 1%. But for practical purposes in formulation, it would probably need to in excess of 10%. Given it’s been a while since I was in that world. But to meet GF6 with a blend, you needed over 10% G3 to meet the cold crank with a 115VI G2 base oil still.

That being said, there’s all sorts of ways to solve the puzzle. And it depends on what your intentions are. Making a D1G3 Syn blend is probably only practically possible with a large amount of PAOs in a good group 2. Which, at that point… as I mentioned in another thread. Could that not be, practically better than a cheap, straight group 3?

 

[cheesepuffs2]

I think if you want more of a guarantee those are the 3 options, for now.

PAO is not in a shortage, so RL and HPL PP should be fine.

Amsoil likely is ok as well due to their extensive supplier agreements and storage.

The supplier agreements are out the window right now, are they not? I don’t think much of anything is guaranteed.

 

[FlyingTexan]

Gents, please refrain from politics or the thread will be locked. Thanks.

Can’t see the direct relation?

 

[Foxtrot08]

The supplier agreements are out the window right now, are they not? I don’t think much of anything is guaranteed.

Yes and no. As far as I know, none of the US based PAO (etc) suppliers have declared force majeure. So Ineos, ChevronPhillips and ExxonMobil Chemical are still taking orders for those products.

Korean based base oils are still being exported at contract minimums.

Neste (Chevron) and other EU based companies are still exporting products… currently.

I cannot speak for HPL. But Redline (P66) has a lot of depth in supply chain resources. Along with their relationship to ChevronPhillips, Excel Paralubes, Etc.

 

[ceecbtg]

API... these changing gear oil spec because "market tendency". Now is emergency, well. 90 days + months in stock where approval and quality are your dreams. I'll try to remember this production time to avoid like plague.

 

[Hirev]

Ok so API oils might not be so great these days but what about ILSAC GF-6, GF-7. Can they sidestep ILSAC certified oils ?

 

[OVERKILL]

Ok so API oils might not be so great these days but what about ILSAC GF-6, GF-7. Can they sidestep ILSAC certified oils ?

They are two sides of the same coin.

 

[Hohn]

Some of are stashed to the point where oil could disappear for couple years and we’d not notice.

 

[1444buicking]

At best, this is deceptive. The containers should be labeled appropriately with a sticker.

More infuriating, we are trying to keep piston rings clean and high-quality oil is a major part of that effort. How do we know what oil to use?

 

[kschachn]

At best, this is deceptive. The containers should be labeled appropriately with a sticker.

More infuriating, we are trying to keep piston rings clean and high-quality oil is a major part of that effort. How do we know what oil to use?

I'm confused here. So this allowable substitution means it will no longer meet the requirements for the license?

 

[Dave Hess]

You would need to go by the date code on the package. Could come from a warehouse somewhere.

Also just because the specs have been relaxed doesn't mean penzoil ever changed. Hence the problem with such specs being relaxed.

So unfortunately all anyone can do is speculate.

Date on dusty bottle at the back of shelf and you’ll be fine.

Stock clerks don’t rotate jugs of oil.

 

[Rand]

I have aprox 2-3 years in the basement(depends on if I'm doing oil changes on 3,4,5 cars) Bought 4x 5qt m1 and 2x 5qt PP in early march to top it up.

 

[Pablo]

Some of are stashed to the point where oil could disappear for couple years and we’d not notice.

I'm blending for internal use only. Kinda nice really, but Amsoil isn't out of anything.

 

[racer12306]

So the 5 qt jug of Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0W - 20 I bought from Walmart on 5/5/2026 that was fresh stock because that shelf slot was empty for 10 days before that, might not be GTL?

Whatever Pennszoil formulated that was in that jug, I'm pretty sure it will last 3,500 miles and 10 months with my very last Fram Ultra Filter, for my usual oil change interval.

You would need to go by the date code on the package. Could come from a warehouse somewhere.

Also just because the specs have been relaxed doesn't mean penzoil ever changed. Hence the problem with such specs being relaxed.

So unfortunately all anyone can do is speculate.

Or is this a point where Pennzoil can market the crap out of the fact that they are not affected at all by this and that their oil remains top quality as always?

 

[crashz]

I'm confused here. So this allowable substitution means it will no longer meet the requirements for the license?

The article didn't say that the oils did or did not meet the license requirements. It states that the manufacture submitting the ELP must make the justification and describe the changes to their formula. The way its worded makes me think that they still need to meet the requirements, but its not explicitly stated. It doesn't even state that the manufacture must re-test any parameters.

 

[kschachn]

Or is this a point where Pennzoil can market the crap out of the fact that they are not affected at all by this and that their oil remains top quality as always?

I don't understand. Out of all the blenders they would be affected the most due to their heavy reliance on GTL for their Group III bases.

 

[racer12306]

I don't understand. Out of all the blenders they would be affected the most due to their heavy reliance on GTL for their Group III bases.

I guess it's just my lack of understanding.

 

[Foxtrot08]

I don't understand. Out of all the blenders they would be affected the most due to their heavy reliance on GTL for their Group III bases.

(They are literally the most affected in the full synthetic market.)

 

[buster]

Pennzoil Platinum's claim to fame (GTL) has been obliterated.

 

[cheesepuffs2]

Pennzoil's whole claim to fame with GTL has been destroyed. Literally.

Absolute marketing nightmare. GTL is obviously used in other products, like Mobil 1 EP for instance, but quietly. Hard to carry a line of products now when your entire basis for telling people why it’s “superior” is gone. Wonder if people will even notice though, aside from BITOG types.