Lubricating Oils
There is no petroleum product perhaps with more complexity in specification than lubricating oils. Part of the reason for this lies in the large variety of applications for lubricating oils. Another is the variety of properties needed depending on which application the lubricant is being designed for. In automotive lubricants alone there are varying grades which have to balance such needs as wear, piston deposits, fuel economy, oxidative stability, sludge and seal compatibility. There is no one ASTM specification for lubricating oils. SubCommittee B is responsible for test methods for passenger car motor oils; but the actual specifications are developed by other industrial organizations and car manufacturers.