Amsoil labeling not matching the advertising

[garageman402]

I just received my 1 gallon bottle of Series 2000 100% synthetic 0w30 Amsoil oil. The label reads SL-CF, and ILSAC GF-3. All the advertising says this is an API SM comparable oil, also exceeding GF-4 specs, and ACEA A/5/B5. The bottle says ACEA A2, B2 and ACEA A3, B3, B4

Is the warehouse sending out all it's outdated stock? This came from Portland, OR. In fact, the picture of the qt. bottle in the product description has the same label my gallon bottle has. If you look closely, it says "Fuel Efficient Formula SL-CF"

https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/tso.aspx

What gives?

-Bob

 

[mpersell]

There is a possibility that the same formulation meets both specs. However, you're smart in being careful. A call or email to the Amsoil staff will answer completely if thats the case. There should be a batch number somewhere on the bottle. Use that as a reference to make sure too.

 

[Vilan]

I saw a thread a while ago saying that Amsoil uses up all their old bottles (with old labels) before using new ones. The oil in the bottle is the new formulation, but the label is behind the times. I agree you should email them with the lot number to find out.

 

[buster]

They usually do a good job with specs/labels but with the S2k they have been really bad IMO. This oil has a HT/HS of 3.3 and does not meet the A3 rating.

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

The MSDS changed in mid 2005 to recognize a thinner viscosity and the formulation for SM/GF-4, however the website has not been updated (aside from the SM/GF-4 part) and neither has the packaging. But looking at the UOA's, the formulas are indeed different.

As Vilan said, Amsoil sometimes uses up it's old labels even if using the newer formula. And I also read a post that stated when the MSDS changes, then that is the formula that is shipped out.

I would 2nd the e-mail/call to confirm that this is the new formulation.

 

[Pablo]

I can guarantee that this is the latest formulation. I don't even need the date code to know that by now - but go ahead and post it.

You can use this oil with confidence.

I agree with buster and I simply can't fathom why Amsoil can't get all the TSO (Series 2000 0W-30) data/labels in sync when they are so tight with all the other products lately. It's been quite messy for a couple years! I've bugged them a lot over this period of time about all sorts of issues - and have received excellent results, from updates to new products. But no action on TSO. Weird.

 

[Pablo]

Oh - almost forgot. Who is your dealer?

 

[SrDriver]

I sure would email or call them before using it!

 

[KieferS]

Email it and demand you get an SM bottle.

 

[garageman402]

Quote:

---

Oh - almost forgot. Who is your dealer?

---

David J. & Rebecca Reid. Their names were just on the order form, I ordered from the warehouse through the online corporate store. In fact, I just now had to log on, and start an order and proceed all the way to checkout before their names appeared. I tried accessing the site through a link from a BITOG member, but still got them. Are dealers assigned by territory?

Quote:

---

I can guarantee that this is the latest formulation. I don't even need the date code to know that by now - but go ahead and post it.

You can use this oil with confidence.

I agree with buster and I simply can't fathom why Amsoil can't get all the TSO (Series 2000 0W-30) data/labels in sync when they are so tight with all the other products lately. It's been quite messy for a couple years! I've bugged them a lot over this period of time about all sorts of issues - and have received excellent results, from updates to new products. But no action on TSO. Weird.

---

There is no lot number, date code, anything on this bottle except the labels. The label on the back has 4-ball test results dated 1999! The bottle of Redline I ordered a few months ago has a code stamped on the bottom of the bottle. This Amsoil bottle has nothing.

I was a little disappointed with customer service, too. I was originally going to order just the Eao filter, but on an impulse went ahead and ordered the oil, too. After doing so, I realized a PC membership would have actually saved me money, so I e-mailed orders@amsoil and asked if I can add the PC retroactively. An e-mail at 6:30AM (PST) asked me for the order number. I replied at 6:38AM with the number and date. Finally I get a reply 24hours later telling me it's too late, the order was processed. It was actually processed @ 5:19PM the same day I got the first reply (at least that's when UPS got the billing info). Most companies I've dealt with would be happy to assure repeat business. At least this way, if I return this questionable oil, I'll get the full retail price refunded........

Thanks Pablo

-Bob

 

[Pablo]

The date code is printed on the plastic bottle itself. Look very carefully at the front, down by the bottom. Maybe 3/4" up from the base there will be a series of numbers in black ink. It might be faintly visible - use bright light, but it's there.

You got a local dealer at random. I wish you would have used one of the site sponsors or spoke to us about becoming a PC. Yep - they now are stuck on you. Never heard of them, maybe try contacting them.

 

[garageman402]

Quote:

---

The date code is printed on the plastic bottle itself. Look very carefully at the front, down by the bottom. Maybe 3/4" up from the base there will be a series of numbers in black ink. It might be faintly visible - use bright light, but it's there.

You got a local dealer at random. I wish you would have used one of the site sponsors or spoke to us about becoming a PC. Yep - they now are stuck on you. Never heard of them, maybe try contacting them.

---

"Stuck on me"? You mean I can't change? I did register before placing the order, I didn't think they were being assigned to me, their names were sort of a side note, so to speak. If I deleted my profile and re-registered, would I be able to change then?

As far as date codes, there is nothing. I know what I'm looking for, the Redline bottle has something similar. In fact most consumer products have something like that.

-Bob

 

[KieferS]

I was at NAPA, and the bottle also said 'SL' do you think that it could of contained 'SM' on the inside? it was the only reason i didn't buy it.

 

[garageman402]

Quote:

---

The date code is printed on the plastic bottle itself. Look very carefully at the front, down by the bottom. Maybe 3/4" up from the base there will be a series of numbers in black ink. It might be faintly visible - use bright light, but it's there.

You got a local dealer at random. I wish you would have used one of the site sponsors or spoke to us about becoming a PC. Yep - they now are stuck on you. Never heard of them, maybe try contacting them.

---

I took photos of the bottle, and uploaded them to yahoo, hope you can zoom in, they are pretty detailed. I included 1 photo of the Redline bottle for comparison

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/album?c=gara...841&.src=ph

-Bob

 

[garageman402]

Quote:

---

I was at NAPA, and the bottle also said 'SL' do you think that it could of contained 'SM' on the inside? it was the only reason i didn't buy it.

---

Seems like either Amsoil needs to clean house, or are they trying to pull a fast one? Is it even legal to sell improperly labelled products?

 

[Pablo]

Technically it's not illegal to sell SM labeled as SL. Silly but not illegal. I find it quite odd that the jug is not marked with the date code. I agree that you have a right to be upset about that. See if you can get a replacement gallon if you like. Again - I can tell you that there is nothing wrong with the oil, even if it is SL.

Amsoil is not trying to "pull a fast one", nor do I think they need to clean house. They do need to get this business fixed on the TSO, though.

I would contact Amsoil tomorrow. If you can contact the dealer and they willingly release your account, I can help you.

 

[buster]

It wouldn't surprise me if they are going to upgrade/change TSO which could be the reason they have held off on a new PDS. Just a thought.

 

[rpn453]

Quote:

---

Is it even legal to sell improperly labelled products?

---

It's not improperly labelled since it does meet SL/GF-3. If it also meets SM/GF-4, there's no requirement that they have to advertise that if they don't want to. If it does meet SM/GF-4, I'd call it "poorly labelled"!

 

[garageman402]

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Is it even legal to sell improperly labelled products?

---

It's not improperly labelled since it does meet SL/GF-3. If it also meets SM/GF-4, there's no requirement that they have to advertise that if they don't want to. If it does meet SM/GF-4, I'd call it "poorly labelled"!

---

You're right, the label itself is not the problem, I suppose. The problem is that I ordered SM and GF-4 and what I get is a container labelled SL and GF-3.

If you were allergic to peanuts, and you ordered something without peanuts, and you get something labelled "contains peanuts" but the manufacturer says "don't worry, there's no peanuts in there", would you eat it?

Pablo, I don't even know how I would contact the Reids, just their names are listed.

 

[garageman402]

Quote:

---

Technically it's not illegal to sell SM labeled as SL. Silly but not illegal. I find it quite odd that the jug is not marked with the date code. I agree that you have a right to be upset about that. See if you can get a replacement gallon if you like. Again - I can tell you that there is nothing wrong with the oil, even if it is SL.

Amsoil is not trying to "pull a fast one", nor do I think they need to clean house. They do need to get this business fixed on the TSO, though.

I would contact Amsoil tomorrow. If you can contact the dealer and they willingly release your account, I can help you.

---

You're right, it's not illegal to sell SM as SL, since SM meets SL specs. What is illegal is offering for sale SM, charging me for SM, leading me to believe I'm buying SM, and sending me SL. See my post above regarding peanuts. I agree, the SL (if it is SL) will work fine in my 92 Civic, it only requires SG.

-Bob