Motor Oil Matters Event to Spotlight New Consumer Protection Measures in North Carolina
Washington, D.C.: In 2012, the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) adopted a new standard regulating vehicle motor oil labeling and invoicing for bulk oil change locations. This new standard was adopted by the State of North Carolina and became legally enforceable effective July 1, 2013.
The standard requires that invoices or receipts for oil changes to motor vehicles be clearly marked, indicating the oil’s viscosity classification, its name or brand, and the engine service category of the oil being installed. Invoices or receipts must also provide a warning if the oil does not meet an active American Petroleum Institute (API) service category.
The requirement for invoices only applies to motor oil installation in vehicles intended for light- to heavy-duty use, including cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, trucks, buses, and off-road farming and construction equipment. The requirement does not apply to motor oil intended for use in four-stroke cycle engines, such as those found in motorcycles, ATVs, and lawn and garden equipment.
Kevin Ferrick, Manager of API’s Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System, stated, “To help get the word out to consumers and to help oil change locations meet state law, API began a new program addressing bulk oil requirements. The program, named Motor Oil Matters, or MOM for short, is a way for oil change locations to meet the API standard and state requirements, all while assuring the public they’re getting what they pay for.”
Over the past five years, API purchased and tested over 1,000 motor oil samples from bulk oil tanks from all across North America, and reached a shocking conclusion—nearly 1 in 5 bulk motor oils failed to meet API performance standards.
“What this means is that some cars or trucks aren’t getting the quality oil they deserve,” said Ferrick. “MOM is here to help make sure consumers know exactly what they’re getting. When a motorist goes to a MOM-licensed oil change location, they’ll know they’ve gone to the right place because MOM facilities have to meet a rigorous API standard for maintaining bulk oil quality.”
To bring this consumer awareness message to North Carolina, and to highlight North Carolina’s first MOM-licensed oil change locations,
Motor Oil Matters is holding an open house charity event at Fast Lube Plus in Cary, North Carolina. The event will run from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on August 23, 2014 at the Fast Lube Plus store located at 2992 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC 27518.
The Motor Oil Matters team will be on-hand with Fast Lube Plus personnel to answer questions about motor oil and to raise donations for the U.S. Veterans Corps of Cary. While motorists are getting their oil changed, they can check out Germain Racing’s #13 GEICO Chevrolet SS driven by Casey Mears along with vehicles from the U.S. Veterans Corps’ fleet. There will be giveaways to the first 200 people plus WQDR 94.7 will broadcast live between noon and 2 with a chance to win concert tickets. Stoke & Smoke BBQ will be there too, selling their award-winning barbeque from their state-of-the-art mobile unit.
“We really believe in Motor Oil Matters and being upfront with our customers. Plus, we really want to give back to the community we live and work in,” said Joe Benza, co-owner of Fast Lube Plus with his father, Tom. “Fast Lube Plus is not your typical automotive experience, and the MOM program helps us tell that to our customers.”
API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 580 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 20 million Americans.
Contacts:
Kevin Ferrick
202-682-8233
ferrick@api.org
Jim Van Meer
202-682-8165
vanmeerj@api.org
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To schedule an in-studio or on-site interview with Kevin Ferrick or Joe Benza, please contact Jim Van Meer at 202-682-8165 or vanmeerj@api.org.
More information about the companies mentioned in this release can be found at:
American Petroleum Institute, www.api.org
Motor Oil Matters, www.MotorOilMatters.org
Fast Lube Plus, www.fastlubeplus.com
Germain Racing, www.germainracing.com
U.S. Veterans Corps, www.myusvc.com
Stoke & Smoke BBQ, www.stokeandsmokebbq.com
WQDR 94.7 FM, www.947qdr.com