Valvoline Global Launches Motor Oil Formulas Exceeding ILSAC GF-7 Standards
Valvoline Global Operations has launched new passenger car motor oil formulas for the U.S. and Canada that surpass the updated International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee GF-7 standards, according to a press release.
Currently, ILSAC GF-6 certified synthetic Valvoline motor oils already meet all requirements of the new ILSAC GF-7.
The company’s new ILSAC GF-7 full synthetic technology was tested in a single engine for over 500,000 miles across three years without the need to replace any critical component, and significantly reduced sludge and deposits compared to an ILSAC GF-6 quality oil.Val
voline’s engine lab in Ashland, Kentucky, allows for the company to perform engine
sequence tests and to be actively involved in helping define the ILSAC engine oil standards.
With GF-7 taking effect as of March 31, ILSAC GF-6 designated motor oils will be phased out of distribution channels. New Valvoline motor oils meeting the ILSAC GF-7A standard will include the “Starburst” API mark on all bottles, while ILSAC GF-7B-compliant oils will have the API “Shield.” Oils meeting API SP will feature an updated API “Donut” with SP designation.
Take 5 Oil Change, Valvoline Make Entrepreneur’s Fastest Growing Franchises List
Take 5 Oil Change has been ranked No. 27 on Entrepreneur's 2025 Fastest-Growing Franchises list, according to a press release.
It marks Take 5’s highest ranking on the list, rising from No. 42 in 2022 to #36 in 2023, #31 in 2024, and now #27 in 2025. This comes after Take 5 grew its franchise network by over 100 stores last year, nearly doubling its franchise footprint in two years.
Notably, Take 5 was not the only quick lube brand to make the list, with Valvoline Instant Oil Change being ranked No. 41.
Strickland Brothers 10-Minute Oil Change Awarded for Greensboro, North Carolina, Store
A recently opened Strickland Brothers 10-Minute Oil Change location in Greensboro, North Carolina, has won a 2025 CoStar Impact Award for commercial development of the year in Greensboro/Winston-Salem.
The Strickland Brothers brand has over 325 corporate and franchise stores in more than 20 states, and plans to open 200 more stores before 2027. Its store at 3223 Battleground Ave. in Greensboro will serve as a model for its future expansion plans.
Positioned on a high-visibility retail corridor that’s nearby retail major stores like T.J. Maxx, Lowe's, and Sprouts Farmers Market, the 1,308-square-foot property was first purchased in November 2024, and now serves over 46,500 vehicles per day.
The store was awarded the 2025 CoStar Impact Award following evaluation by real estate professionals familiar with the market.
Real Estate Business Acquisition Group Launches ‘Sell Your Quick Lube’ Website
A real estate and business acquisition group has launched a nationwide acquisition platform for quick lube owners seeking to retire and sell their businesses, called Sell Your Quick Lube, according to a press release.
The website seeks to be a nationwide platform for quick lube and oil change business owners seeking retirement, reinvestment, or new opportunities. It promises all-cash offers without co-investment requirements, while working with owners to preserve the legacy of their local operations.
Shop owners would need to submit basic info about their business through the site’s online form, which would then be evaluated and met with a cash offer based on the business’ market value. The acquisition team promises to handle all administrative tasks of the transaction.
Though the website doesn’t specify what group is behind it, its phone number is also used by PHD Properties Inc. and M Square Commercial—the latter of which being a company that has provided brokerage services for brands such as Strickland Brothers Oil Change.
Oil Filter Housing in Older BMWs Is Making Many Oil Changes an Unpleasant Surprise
A recent article from The Autopian highlighted an issue with the oil filter housing within BMW’s B58 engine that can turn a simple oil change into something much bigger.
Many owners of older B58s have experienced a leaky oil filter housing, with the average lifespan for the component appearing to be around eight years, according to The Autopian. The issue has been known to crop up in older M240i, 340i, 440i, 540i, 640i Gran Turismo, 740i, X3 M40i, X4 M40i, or similar vehicles.
The problem lies with a cartridge filter that fits within the oil filter housing, rather than the canister-style filter often found in Japanese vehicles. BMW’s redesign for the clean-sheet B58 straight-six included an oil filter housing made from plastic, which has been prone to becoming brittle, cracking, and leaking oil, coolant, or both.
However, there exists another known failure of the oil filter housing. The moment an oil makes contact with the sealing rings on the oil filter cap, its torque spec of 18.4. Lbs-ft is rendered obsolete. This can cause torque values to flare up, leading to the oil filter cap overtightening. Much of the damage caused by this will become apparent when performing any routine oil change.
A replacement engine oil filter housing replacement, with labor, can run anywhere from $1,800 to $3,500. This issue has also been seen in vehicles with the B48 four-cylinder engine, such as the 230i, 330i, 430i, 530i, and X3 30i.
TBC Corporation Agrees to Divest Midas Franchise to Mavis Tire
TBC Corporation has entered an agreement to divest its Midas franchise to Mavis Tire Express Service Corp., according to a press release from Michelin.
As of March 31, 2025, TBC has agreed to divest its Midas franchise portfolio to Mavis.
The company identified tire wholesale, distribution and Big O Tires as core businesses, while Midas is mainly composed of retail automotive services.
Shell Lubricants and Blue Tide Open Re-Refining Facility in Baytown, Texas
Shell subsidiary Pennzoil-Quaker State Company and Blue Tide announced the completion of Blue Tide's new re-refining facility in Baytown, Texas, in a recent press release.
Located on the Cedar Bayou near the Houston Ship Channel for strategic transportation, the facility is able to process 5,000 barrels per day, with conversion into high-quality base oils and other products like gas oil and asphalt modifiers.
The facility also houses one of the largest hydrotreaters in the re-refining industry, allowing for the production of high-quality Group II+ base oils by Blue Tide. Additionally, the facility is able to produce high performance base oils at a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional Group II+ base oils.
The hydrotreater allows for improved efficiency and quality, reducing impurities and bolstering the performance of re-refined base oils.
“This achievement underscores the incredible teamwork and vision of our dedicated team,” said Terry McHugh, CEO of Blue Tide. “We are proud to contribute to a circular economy by delivering innovative, sustainable solutions that transform used lubricants into clean, high- performance base oils, reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency.”
Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers Fundraising for Children’s of Alabama Through April
Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers is launching its Changing Oil Changing Lives in support of Children’s of Alabama, reports Troy Messenger.
Throughout all of April, stores across Alabama will donate $1 for every service visit.
First launched in 2008, the campaign has raised a total of over $1 million for the hospital.
“We are incredibly grateful for Express Oil Change and Tire Engineers’ commitment to Children’s of Alabama through the Changing Oil Changing Lives campaign,” Children’s of Alabama Chief Development Officer Chandler Bibb said. “This partnership helps Children’s provide a creative outlet for our patients that helps reduce stress and anxiety and promotes emotional well-being while in the hospital.”
AAA: More Drivers Need to Stay on Top of Preventative Automotive Maintenance
After having received over 27 million emergency roadside service calls in 2024, AAA is bringing attention to the need for more drivers to stay on top of maintenance in a recent press release.
Of those emergency calls, roughly 13 million required towing, and approximately 7 million had experienced battery issues, representing roughly 74% of total calls received and surpassing calls received for flat tires and lockouts.
Additionally, it’s estimated that 215,000 service calls were received for issues with electric vehicles, making up 0.8% of total roadside service events.
