what is the difference between when a engine oil meets performance vs approval?I see that Castrol Syntec 5W-20 is approved in my Jeep Hemi but Castrol GTX/Synblend meets performance.In the past GTX was approved because it was on their site and on the bottle.Is this because Castrol is testing these oils (GTX/Synblend) with the new Tri-Shield formula?On their site there is a asterics next to GTX and Synblend.Thanks Joe
Castrol oils-approval vs meets performance
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Approval means it was formally submitted for testing and passed. Castrol has a letter from the manufacturer saying "we certify your oil."
"Meets" means they think that it would in theory pass, but they never officially submitted it for testing.
"Meets" means they think that it would in theory pass, but they never officially submitted it for testing.
Approved means something. "meet" means nothing.
Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
Approved means something. "meet" means nothing.
This post means nothing.
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Maybe they didn't want to pay a licensing fee to say it is approved for ___ manufacturer's specs.
So they use the word 'Meets'
I think this one is closer to the truth. Maybe it used to be approved but they changed the formulation and therefore it does not have the same formal approval but still meets the performance specs.
Approved means something. "meet" means nothing.
This post means nothing.
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Maybe they didn't want to pay a licensing fee to say it is approved for ___ manufacturer's specs.
So they use the word 'Meets'
I think this one is closer to the truth. Maybe it used to be approved but they changed the formulation and therefore it does not have the same formal approval but still meets the performance specs.
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"Meets the performance of ****" and "Meets xxx" are two very different things in and of themselves. Many Mobil grades "meet" specific specs for which they are officially approved by the manufacturer or body (like their API and ACEA approvals for example). But "meets the performance of...." is like "recommended for". There's not official approval/endorsement/certification, Castrol just thinks it is appropriate for applications that require that spec.
If the oil mfg uses the term meets on the bottle, their website, and/or official company literature/documents that means it is a safe bet the product does in fact meet the performance requirements of the oil spec in question. It isn't officially certified by the car company but the oil meets their oil standard spec.
The oil mfg is not going to open themselves up to law suits and say it meets a spec it doesn't. The simple fact they use that term( i.e. meets )and not an ambiguous term like recommended for tells you they know what the oil spec requires and that their product does in fact meet that spec.
You do not have to use an oil that is officially certified. Even Chrysler themselves does not say you must do that; they say meets as well. From your 2006 Jeep's Owner's Manual...
Quote:
oils that are API Certified and meet the requirements of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard MS-6395. Use Mopar or an equivalent oil meeting the specification MS-6395
With all that said you have a 2006 vehicle here so really you are worried over something that no longer even matters( or shouldn't )...
1 - MS6395 from 2006 is no longer applicable. There is a new/updated MS6395. Chrysler adds a letter on the end whenever they revise the standard( they always did anyway ). Back in 2006 it was something like MS6395M and now it is something like MS6395T( just examples to illustrate the point - not sure of exact letters ). There have been a few revisions to the oil standard including adding a new multi year process to the testing procedure since 2006 however. The oil they recommended back then is not what is out there today. Even the API oils are different.
2 - Unless you bought it as a new leftover in or after July 2007 the lifetime powertrain warranty does not apply, and the 7/70 powertrain warranty was not in effect for 2006 models, so warranty should not be an issue now.
Bottom line for me with your application would be to use whatever quality oil you want and not worry about MS6395. Of course if somehow you do have warranty to continue to protect stick with an oil that meets/exceeds the standard. Just remember it does NOT have to be officially certified for Chrysler. By their own words meets is acceptable.
The oil mfg is not going to open themselves up to law suits and say it meets a spec it doesn't. The simple fact they use that term( i.e. meets )and not an ambiguous term like recommended for tells you they know what the oil spec requires and that their product does in fact meet that spec.
You do not have to use an oil that is officially certified. Even Chrysler themselves does not say you must do that; they say meets as well. From your 2006 Jeep's Owner's Manual...
Quote:
oils that are API Certified and meet the requirements of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard MS-6395. Use Mopar or an equivalent oil meeting the specification MS-6395
With all that said you have a 2006 vehicle here so really you are worried over something that no longer even matters( or shouldn't )...
1 - MS6395 from 2006 is no longer applicable. There is a new/updated MS6395. Chrysler adds a letter on the end whenever they revise the standard( they always did anyway ). Back in 2006 it was something like MS6395M and now it is something like MS6395T( just examples to illustrate the point - not sure of exact letters ). There have been a few revisions to the oil standard including adding a new multi year process to the testing procedure since 2006 however. The oil they recommended back then is not what is out there today. Even the API oils are different.
2 - Unless you bought it as a new leftover in or after July 2007 the lifetime powertrain warranty does not apply, and the 7/70 powertrain warranty was not in effect for 2006 models, so warranty should not be an issue now.
Bottom line for me with your application would be to use whatever quality oil you want and not worry about MS6395. Of course if somehow you do have warranty to continue to protect stick with an oil that meets/exceeds the standard. Just remember it does NOT have to be officially certified for Chrysler. By their own words meets is acceptable.
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"Certified" says that a blender has concluded that formulation is acceptable and that when a batch was tested, a third party found that that batch was acceptable. The consumer has to assume that the current batches are equivalent to the tested batch.
"Meets" says that a blender has concluded that a formulation is acceptable and that they do not find it necessary to get third-party validation. The consumer has to assume that the blender was correct AND that the current batches perform as well as the batch(es) on which the blender based their conclusion.
The consumer must TRUST the blender in both cases. "Certified" means that you don't have to trust the blender's initial conclusion about performance since a third party has agreed. In addition, if the consumer does not confirm the certification, then they must also TRUST that the blender actually obtained the third-party validation.
"Meets" says that a blender has concluded that a formulation is acceptable and that they do not find it necessary to get third-party validation. The consumer has to assume that the blender was correct AND that the current batches perform as well as the batch(es) on which the blender based their conclusion.
The consumer must TRUST the blender in both cases. "Certified" means that you don't have to trust the blender's initial conclusion about performance since a third party has agreed. In addition, if the consumer does not confirm the certification, then they must also TRUST that the blender actually obtained the third-party validation.
I believe that 'meets performance' implies that it meets or exceeds the requirements in wear, oxidation thickening, fuel economy, aftertreatment compatibility, ect., but may not achieve the requirements for viscosity (Dexos1), synthetic base (GM 4718M), or length of testing (MS).
Hi-Thanks for explaining the terms.I just wanted to be sure.Joe
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