10W-40 Maxlife claims ILSAC GF-6A and Displays the API Starburst on the Front of the Package

[blufeb95]

I just noticed that the 3 jugs of Maxlife 10W-40 I recently purchased all say that the oil "Meets or exceeds all requirements of ILSAC GF-6A," which I could see if they made a semantic error trying to say that it passes all the tests except the fuel economy related ones which wouldn't be possible for a 10W40 with an HTHS of 4.0 to do, but the front of the packaage shows the API Starbust, this same quirk can be noted in the photos on Amazon's website for 20W50 MaxLife, https://www.amazon.com/Valvoline-20W-50-MaxLife-Mileage-Motor/dp/B00GDH5RBQ . I don't know what's up with this but I wouldn't expect this kind of mislabeling from Valvoline.

 

[wpod]

I would guess it meets the specs.

 

[blufeb95]

I would guess it meets the specs.

It can't 10W-40 and 20W-50 aren't ILSAC grades, Only 0W-20, 5W-20, 0W-30,5W-30, and 10W-30 can meet ILSAC GF-6A, and the API Starburst can only be shown on packaging that meets ILSAC requirements, the API database shows that they are not ILSAC.

 

[tasch72]

@blufeb95 is right, there can't be a GF-6A 10w-40.

"The GF-6A standard is a backward-compatible standard for SAE 0W-20, SAE 5W-20, SAE 0W-30, SAE 5W-30 and SAE 10W-30, but not SAE 0W-16 viscosity grades. "

 

[wemay]

Online, towards the bottom of the page it as having SN Plus approval. No ILSAC, strange.

MaxLife 10W40 - Valvoline™ Global Operations Asia

Valvoline MaxLife is a high quality motor oil with unique formulation which helps extend engine life. Maxlife engine oil is specially formulated for higher mileage engines with the use of premium synthetic and conventional basestocks with a seal conditioning agent extra cleaning agents...

www.valvolineglobal.com

 

[Tom NJ]

Per API 1509, Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System, the API 10W-40 grade is eligible to use the Starburst, provided it meets all of the performance standards required for ILSAC GF-6A, including fuel economy. (See link below - Section 5.4 on page 16 and Table H-6 on page 150). It is possible to formulate a 10W-40 meeting the fuel economy requirements.

API 1509

 

[FCD]

Over here in Europe it's A3/B4 rated, not that watered down Ilsac stuff

 

[blufeb95]

Per API 1509, Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System, the API 10W-40 grade is eligible to use the Starburst, provided it meets all of the performance standards required for ILSAC GF-6A, including fuel economy. (See link below - Section 5.4 on page 16 and Table H-6 on page 150). It is possible to formulate a 10W-40 meeting the fuel economy requirements.

API 1509

That chart says that but then when you look at page 150, the actual requirements of GF-6A require sequence VIE fuel economy testing which is a test that can only be performed against Xw20 and Xw30 oils so I think the chart earlier in the document is a catch 22.

 

[blufeb95]

I noticed the Havoline 10W-40 boxes on Walmart's site were incorrectly labeled and emailed Chevron about it and the listings on Walmart now have the correct packaging that doesn't display the starburst on the front of the packaging.