It seems that the latest passenger car engine oil specification ILASC GF-5 is proving more challenging than ever as it nears completion.
The specification, which was first proposed some four years ago, was set to focus on three main areas of improvement: fuel economy and fuel economy retention; emission system compatibility; robustness of engine oils to provide increased engine durability.
However, as Lube Report's Nancy DeMarco points out, it seems that the complexity of oil manufacture and sales, particularly in North America, is making delivery of all three targets particularly challenging. The specification is due to be announced in December and may have to find a compromise between fuel economy and robustness.
At the same time as innovation arrives, age has finally put paid to the API CG-4 for diesel engine oil. The specification is now set to become obsolete at the end of August 2009. 
Those purchasing industrial lubricants may find their task made a little easier by Mobil, whose marketing and technology teams have developed a new logo which will appear on any Mobil-branded products which demonstrate measureable energy efficiency benefits. According to Mobil, the self-generated standard relates to lubricant's fluid performance when compared to standard ExxonMobil hydraulic lubricants.
And finally, Lubrication Engineers Inc (LE) have launched a new range of low ash engine oils for stationary and mobile natural gas engines. Under the brand name MONOLEC, there is a multigrade SAE 15W-40 and a single grade SAE 40 option. And Lubrizol have launched a new website focusing on all things Dual Clutch Transmission which provides all the latest news and innovations from the sector including facts about specialist DCT lubricants.