"Recommended" vs "Meets" specifications

[ebaker]

I've noticed that Delo400 15w40 and Valvoline Maxlife synthetic 5w30 state they are "recommended for engines specifying" ACEA A3. Mobil 1 0w40 and 15w50 state they "meet" ACEA A3. Does this mean that the "recommended" oils have not actually been tested to meet the A3. Is it safe to assume that an oil "recommended" for A3 by a major manufacturer is good to use in engines that specify ACEA A3?

 

[salesrep]

I beleive you are correct.Recommended can mean that they fall short on a couple of tests or just one test to meet specs. This does not mean it is necessarilly an inferior product.

 

[Gene K]

Careful on the Delo 400.

I was told by Chevron:

1. CI-4 is A3 Rated

2. The new CI-4 Plus has not been tested and there are no current plans for testing.

Gene

 

[ebaker]

Could recommended mean the oil has a suitable mix to meet the spec but it hasn't actually been tested?

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by salesrep:
I beleive you are correct.Recommended can mean that they fall short on a couple of tests or just one test to meet specs. This does not mean it is necessarilly an inferior product.

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It can also mean they didn't test the product, they just think it will meet the spec.

 

[salesrep]

xs that could be true, but I think the reputable companies mean they fell short in a test or two.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by salesrep:
xs that could be true, but I think the reputable companies mean they fell short in a test or two.

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If they know their product doesn't fully meet the spec and they still recommend it for engines that require the spec, then they aren't reputable companies.

 

[Terry]

Or as President Bill Clinton once asked, define"IS"?

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by Terry:
Or as President Bill Clinton once asked, define"IS"?

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Now you're sounding like a neocon

 

[widman]

Very often it is the amount of testing and the costs of it. Some of the tests are quite expensive. The BMW approval is $125,000. If they make a slight change and have to go for approval again, for some companies/volumes it may not be worth it.
I have several viscosities of a private brand synthetic motor oil. With luck I will move 100 gallons or so of each per year. At $675 per product API license fee, I'm better off quoting the additive supplier that it "meets or exceeds" than add $7.00 a gallon to the sales price - at which point it will not sell.

 

[Dr. T]

I believe it's an engineering "guestimate" so they put 'suitable', but actual testing for this spec was never done unless it stipulates that it "meets" the spec.. Hence, I wouldn't trust it in a vehicle requiring the spec....