Energy Conserving?

[C.O.Jones]

I wanted to try some of this GC, I looked the bottle over and noticed that it had no "starburst" on the front and no "donut" stating energy conserving on the back. I got nervous and walked away. If this stuff is so good why dosn't it have these icons like pre Katrina Mobil 1?

 

[JeffPGH]

GC was never "energy-conserving". Some might say that better economy and better wear protection are somewhat mutually exclusive..

 

[racer12306]

i am not worrying about gc not having the energy conserving lable. a lot of people has said they have not had a decrease in mpg. and even if it was it would be minimal. the gc is a thick 30wt, almost a 40wt, i believe that is why it doesnt carry the lable. does the energy conserving lable really mean much? does it just mean that an energy conserving oil is supposed to get a higher mpg than a non energy conserving oil?

 

[C.O.Jones]

Maybe not having an energy conserving icon on the bottle is no big deal. Does it not have the "starburst" because GC does not care to have it or that it would not qualify?

 

[pscholte]

It may have to do with its viscosity (just a "tick" away from a 40 wt) or it may be that since this oil was originally brewed for Europe, if the target audience wasn't requiring the EC spec then Castrol didn't go after it...I tend to think it is the viscosity.

 

[C.O.Jones]

Thanks for everyones input on the energy conserving aspect of GC. Does it concern anyone that the GC does not have the API starburst on the bottle. I know that when the API starburst dissappeared from the post Katrina Mobil 1 there was some buzz about waiting for the certification to come back before they purchase it again. I don't think GC ever had it?

 

[vad]

Yes, so did RedLine and Amsoil. It's non-issue for a fully synthetic oil. According to API: "An oil may be licensed to display the starburst only if the oil satisfies the most current requirements of the International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) minimum performance standard for this application (currently GF-4 for passenger cars)." It's almost like being concerned that Corvette is not certified by some governmental agency to be able to achieve 55 mph. But I woudld be concerned if I see some dino post Katrina oil that wasn't certified.

 

[audi_guy]

quote:

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Does it concern anyone that the GC does not have the API starburst on the bottle.

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Not for my A4 1.8t which requires VW 502.00 / ACEA A3 (High Temp High Shear => 3.5 cP at 100C). There are plenty of good API rated oils out there that don't meet this requirement so API ratings means nothing to me for my A4. On the other hand for my 93 Mazda pickup if the API rating is SH or later then we're good to go.

 

[audi_guy]

code:

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  (High Temp High Shear => 3.5 cP at 100C)

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Correction: should say 3.5 cP at 150C.

 

[Ler]

C.O.Jones, This link might help understand the significance of API labeling. http://api-ep.api.org/filelibrary/API_MotorOilGuide_2004.pdf The starburst indicates that an oil meets current US and Japanese standards. My guess is that GC is targeted for the euro car market so testing to Japanese/ILSAC standards is less important. Consequently, it never carried the starburst or any indication of ILSAC GF-4 approval to my knowledge. However, GC still meets API SL. What makes GC remarkable is that it perhaps the only off the shelf 0w-30 in the US that meets the European ACEA A3 standards, and some manufacturer specs (MB229.3, BMW LL-01, Porsche, VW503.01) for long drain intervals. There are many oil standards floating around. Bottom line- find an oil that meets the specs that your car requires. You'll sleep better at night.

 

[pscholte]

quote:

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Does it concern anyone that the GC does not have the API starburst on the bottle.

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It doesn't concern me at all because I KNOW how it performs. Some might point out that a manufacturer might give someone a hard time if they did not use a starburst oil and the manufacturer called for it, but I don't think they could make that stick in a warranty case...not with all the specs it meets or exceeds.

 

[Bowser]

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Does it concern anyone that the GC does not have the API starburst on the bottle.

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No concern what so ever. GC currently has the SL rating. SL oils were required in my 01' Silverado the date of manufacture and during its warranty period. I'm still compliant using GC or any Xw-30 oil. Bowser

 

[mpower]

quote:

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What makes GC remarkable is that it perhaps the only off the shelf 0w-30 in the US that meets the European ACEA A3 standards, and some manufacturer specs (MB229.3, BMW LL-01, Porsche, VW503.01) for long drain intervals.

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The last time I checked, Amsoil's S2000 0W30 meets ACEA A3 - but its delivered to your door, not off the shelf

 

[C.O.Jones]

Thanks everyone for your input. I will try the GC while Mobil 1 gets back to the way it was pre Katrina.