Of Note

EPA Updates Refrigerant Recovery Standards

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a Direct Final Rule that would require that refrigerant recovery equipment used for vehicle A/C repair meet the SAE standard J2810, which replaces the current standard J1732. The change was deemed necessary as a result of testing by the SAE Improved Mobile Air Conditioning Cooperative Research Project, which discovered that as much as 30 percent of refrigerant remained in a vehicle’s A/C system when a J1732-compliant recovery machine was used. The new standard encompasses all of J1732 and adds performance standards requiring that the equipment recover 95 percent of refrigerant from a vehicle within 30 minutes without prior engine operation or external heating at 70° to 75°F. The new rule became effective last fall.

MAP Adds Maintenance Recommendation for Power Steering Fluid

An important addition to the Motorist Assurance Program’s (MAP) Uniform Inspection & Communication Standards (UICS) focuses on power steering fluid exchange and the replacement of power steering pumps, steering gears and rack & pinion units. According to MAP, laboratory and field testing show that most power steering fluids degrade measurably by 50,000 miles. The revised steering and suspension UICS suggests a one-time exchange of power steering fluid at 50,000 miles. In addition, a vehicle’s power steering fluid should be exchanged whenever a system component, such as a pump, hose or rack & pinion unit, is replaced.