RE-REFINED OIL
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Is Re-refined Oil?
Re-refined base oil is the end product of a long process involving used oils. These oils are first cleansed of their contaminants such as dirt, water, fuel, and used additives through vacuum distillation. The oil is then hydrotreated to remove any remaining chemicals. This process is very similar to what traditional oil refineries do to remove base oil from crude. Finally, the re-refined base oil is combined with a fresh additive package by the blender.
Is Re-refined Oil Good As Virgin?
YES. Test after test has shown that an API certified re-refined oil is of equal or better quality than an oil made from a virgin base stock. API licensed re-refined oils must pass the same:
- cold start and pumpability tests,
- rust corrosion tests,
- engine wear tests,
- high temperature oil thickening tests,
- deposit tests, and
- phosphorous tests that virgin oils do.
Will Re-refined Oil Affect My Warranty or Hurt My Engine?
NO AND NO. Vehicle and engine manufacturers such as Ford, GM, Chrysler and Mercedes Benz have all gone on record to state that using API certified re-refined oil does not affect warranty coverage. In fact, Mercedes Benz uses re-refined oil to fill new cars at their factories!
Does Re-refined Oil Cost More?
There is no real price difference between re-refined and virgin oils. In fact, re-refined oil may sometimes be a few cents per quart cheaper. The final cost is dependent on factors such as blend, quantity and supplier.
How Many Times Can Oil Be Re-refined?
Used oil can be re-refined over and over with no compromise in the quality of the lubricant. Remember: oil never wears out, it just gets dirty.
THE FACTS ABOUT RE-REFINED OIL
What is Re-Refined Oil?
Re-refined oil is used motor oil that undergoes an extensive re-refining process to remove contaminants to produce a good as new base oil. This base oil is then sold to blenders who add additive packages to produce lubricants such as motor oil, transmission fluid, and grease. The main difference between re-refined and virgin oil products is that re-refined represents the responsible choice for the environment.
Are Re-Refined Lubricants Safe to Use?
Lubricants made from re-refined base stocks must undergo the same testing and meet the same standards as virgin lubricants in order to receive the certification of the American Petroleum Institute (API).
Vehicle and engine manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, and Detroit Diesel have issued warranty statements that allow the use of re-refined oil as long as it meets API standards. Many government and private fleets have used re-refined lubricants in their vehicles for years and report no difference in performance from virgin lubricants.
Why Use Re-Refined Oil?
Re-refined oil is good for the environment and it’s priced competitively to regular motor oil. Also, do it yourself oil changers “close the recycling loop” with re-refined oil by turning in their old oil and purchasing motor oil that has been used, re-refined, and put back on store shelves for reuse.
Buying re-refined oil:
- reduces our dependence on imported oil,
- reduces the depletion of natural resources,
- eliminates waste material, and
- helps create jobs.
By using and promoting the use of re-refined lubricants you accomplish the following:
- Preserve a non-renewable resource—oil.
- Demonstrate your commitment to a cleaner environment through recycling and proper waste management.
- Help protect the environment against pollution.
What is Being Done to Promote the Use of Re-Refined Oil?
The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle, formerly know as CIWMB) promotes closed loop recycling and the use of re-refined lubricants.
The CIWMB awarded a contract to the California State University, Long Beach Foundation to promote the use of re-refined lubricants. The Long Beach Foundation project focuses on fleet manager training. Fleet manager training increases the market demand for re-refined oil by educating fleet managers on re-refined oil quality and successful uses.
Local governments, State colleges and universities, and correctional facilities can purchase re-refined oil for their fleet vehicles through the state’s lubrication contract. For more information about re-refined oil or the existing state lubrication contract visit our Re-Refined Oil website at www.calrecycle.ca.gov/usedoil/rerefined.
MYTHS AND QUESTIONS ABOUT RE-REFINED OIL
There are many misconceptions about re-refined oil.
Here are a few of them:
Myth #1: Re-refined oil is not of equal or sufficient quality compared to virgin oil.
Reality: Re-refined oil is the same quality as virgin oil. Oil does not break down. It simply gets dirty, additives become depleted and chemicals break down. The re-refining process cleans up the used oil and adds additives. Re-refined oils now carry the American Petroleum Institute (API) seal of certification.
Myth #2: Re-refined oil will void the warranty on new cars.
Reality: New car and new engine manufacturers require that an API certified oil be used to keep a warranty intact. Since re-refined oils earn API certification the warranty will not be voided.
Myth #3: Some buyers for large fleets specify brand names rather than oil performance criteria.
Reality: Brand names may simplify purchasing but they do not guarantee high quality oil. If specification based purchasing is utilized, buyers may be guaranteed specific oil qualities and re-refined oil will not be excluded.
Myth #4: Jurisdictions may have long term lubrication contracts, and are unable to switch easily.
Reality: Long term contracts generally have exemptions allowing for pilot projects and minor contract amendments. This flexibility can be used to set up an initial conversion of part of the fleet to re-refined oil.
Myth #5: Jurisdictions must accept service from the lowest bidder on a contract, potentially excluding re-refined oil.
Reality: Managers can solve this by using a procurement ordinance or price preference. There is an alternative strategy—have a major brand oil distributor purchase re-refined oil from a local blender then package the product under the major brand name.
Myth #6: Re-refined oil may be more expensive than virgin oil.
Reality: Since re-refined oil is part of an emerging industry, some products may have higher prices than products from the more established virgin oil industry. This is not always the case though, as local market considerations may affect prices. Some of the lowest bids have come in response to public sector requests specifying exclusively re-refined oil.
Myth #7: There are gaps in the geographic availability of rerefined oil.
Reality: As the market grows for re-refined oil so will the availability. As in any growing market, assured demand will encourage vendors to make increased supply available.
Myth #8: Fleet lessors do not have control over the type of oil used in their vehicles.
Reality: Fleet lessors do have some control. They can take their business elsewhere if certain requirements are not met. Fleet lessors can contact the lease agents and express their willingness to work with other agents if vehicles do not use re-refined oil.
Myth #9: Major oil companies are opposed to re-refining because of their enormous capital investment in virgin oil.
Reality: Major oil companies, including Unocal, Chevron, ARCO, and Texaco, have all become involved in the re-refining market, often by purchasing independently re-refined base stock and manufacturing their own brand name of re-refined oil.
© 2014 TLC Magazine Online, Inc. |