API finds nearly half of certified oils have issues

[sloinker]

People fake that too.

The difference is GM has more teeth than the API too. So there’s more of a risk in getting caught.

I'm a Valvoline guy mostly. Should I be worried? Here's hoping you are Mr. Valvoline Bin Salaam.

 

[4WD]

My brain might be as smooth as an ice rink at times. And I call myself a functional idiot. But I’ve grown up in the oil industry and I know who’s who at the zoo. It’s the one thing I know and I know well.

This is the internet however. So everyone is allowed to have opinions. My .02, is it’s out there every day. Some of it is probably innocent and harmless. But there’s a lot of it that is malicious as well.

Chances are, with a major brand oil, you’re probably safe. House brand / small brands are harder to judge. I work every day to say confidently that every drop of oil that I sell, meets spec and is a quality product. Because it literally has my name on it. And I value that more than anything else in business.

“Integrity is the essence of everything successful.”

That’s Universal

 

[Revving2Redline]

The API has over 27,000 products licensed globally and analyzes over 1,000 samples annually to assure compliance. Recent results found that 46% of these samples had issues ranging from minor discrepancies to more serious viscosity and NOACK inconsistencies. Some 15% of the samples had "questionable additives" indicating a divergence from the original chemical fingerprints established during licensing.

API finds almost half of tested oils have issues

Thanks for sharing sincerely. On a side note to all us Boutique Oil users, we aren't API certified and for too long got a lot of hell and grief for not being API or Dexos. Interesting read and thank you again @Tom NJ

 

[edyvw]

Wow….

I wonder how many don’t meet manufacturers approvals?

For sure not as many as API. Some blenders use additive pack from big suppliers like Afton. Car manufacturers want proof from reputable companies that they use it. However, smaller blenders (I worked for one that had to do this) have to send oil for testing at discretion of car manufacturer.

 

[Nesterenko]

Just got some Amsoil to try out next change!

Always wondered what you'd look for when you try out an oil ?

 

[ATex7239]

All oils are statistically identical according to Blackstone. Automakers recommended viscosities are meaningless. Brands don’t matter. UOA aren’t actually good at measuring wear properly. API licenses mean nothing. Why are we even here? Our life is lie.

 

[4WD]

Thanks for sharing sincerely. On a side note to all us Boutique Oil users, we aren't API certified and for too long got a lot of hell and grief for not being API or Dexos. Interesting read and thank you again @Tom NJ

So therefore it can’t be an issue for you …
Maybe there is Kendall creep in your white bottle

 

[Foxtrot08]

Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lucas.

I wish I had a football stadium with my name on it.

 

[4WD]

I wish I had a football stadium with my name on it.

Or a studio ?

 

[The Lube Guy]

I wish I had a football stadium with my name on it.

With the right connections you can have your own NFL stadium, with your name on it, subsidized by public funds.

 

[ripcord]

All oils are statistically identical according to Blackstone. Automakers recommended viscosities are meaningless. Brands don’t matter. UOA aren’t actually good at measuring wear properly. API licenses mean nothing. Why are we even here? Our life is lie.

Pretty much. We're just here to soothe our OCD.

 

[oilcandave]

Way back in early 80's between college and a real job I worked for a Chevy dealership and did many oil changes. The oil at the bottom of the 55 gal barrel was not the same as the oil at the top. From that point on I would..as much as practical..would buy 4 or 5 quarts from different companies figuring that the oil might not be homogenized well.

 

[carviewsonic]

Foxtrot08's posts in this thread are an eye opener. I'm pinning my humble fleet's maintenance hopes on his comment "Chances are, with a major brand oil, you’re probably safe."

 

[Glenda W.]

Always wondered what you'd look for when you try out an oil ?

Mostly oil between the full and low marks.

 

[GMFan]

Buying name brand oil in 5qt jugs seems like an even better idea after reading this. The profit motive for blenders or distributors to cheat on bulk oil is quite an eye opener. I guess this really shouldn’t be so surprising, but for some reason it is.

 

[tolian21]

Buying name brand oil in 5qt jugs seems like an even better idea after reading this

So store brand like Supertech has a higher chance of cheating on API spec than say Mobil1? This does not make sense, Warren Distribution that makes Supertech has been in business for a long time and makes many private label oils, this would be bad for reputation. I do not see a connection of them wanting to cheat more than say Pennzoil/Mobil1 etc.

 

[Zee09]

Buying name brand oil in 5qt jugs seems like an even better idea after reading this. The profit motive for blenders or distributors to cheat on bulk oil is quite an eye opener. I guess this really shouldn’t be so surprising, but for some reason it is.

Maybe buying separate quarts from different lots might be the best option

 

[Samurai1225]

Fidel Castrol?

 

[kschachn]

So store brand like Supertech has a higher chance of cheating on API spec than say Mobil1? This does not make sense, Warren Distribution that makes Supertech has been in business for a long time and makes many private label oils, this would be bad for reputation. I do not see a connection of them wanting to cheat more than say Pennzoil/Mobil1 etc.

When parsed the whole article does create more questions than answers. Is all of it cheating? One can have a discrepancy that is not due to a desire to cheat anyone.

I for one am not particularly alarmed, for whatever reason. Without more specifics and actual details of what the irregularities actually are I'm going to sleep fine buying US or European oils which may include Warren products.

 

[Scott S]

Hopefully the brands will be mentioned sooner or later.. So at least we know..