Spoke with a Valvoline tech rep today.

[OilGuy]

I can't believe it, Valvoline actually replied to my Synpower GM4718M inquiry for the first time ever.

They said that they will NOT show up on the GM4718M approval list, but rather that they stand behind their Synpower 5w30 and 10w30 products. It's also interesting that they didn't mention all of their other Synpower viscosities listed on their web page that also claim GM4718M.

 

[JAG]

Valvoline is doing that with a lot of specs on there synthetic oils. It's pretty bad when a big company does that. I can understand when small companies do it.

 

[buster]

Originally Posted By: JAG
Valvoline is doing that with a lot of specs on there synthetic oils. It's pretty bad when a big company does that. I can understand when small companies do it.


I agree.

 

[Shannow]

What was it a guy once inferred ?

That they had just about the best labs, best formulators, so that they could meet industry specs in a most cost effective manner.

It's a business model...that seems to work.

 

[ProfPS]

Originally Posted By: OilGuy
Valvoline also claims GM4718M credentials for Synpower (as if it has paid for, taken, and passed the actual tests), but GM has no record of validating their product performance. Interesting way to market your product.


Though GM releases GM6094M updates regularly, the last released GM4718M list is May 2006 and only contains 6 products (various grades for each). I think it is long over due for GM update the list that would include many other OTC "synthetics" and would include at least 1 20wt oil.

 

[OilGuy]

Originally Posted By: ProfPS
Though GM releases GM6094M updates regularly


Only when there are changes. Same for the GM4718M list - only when there are changes.

As for a xW-20, I wouldn't expect anybody to spend the money to try and get approved since GM doesn't endorse the xW-20 viscosity. The spec may focus around the xW-30 viscosity in the first place.

 

[ProfPS]

Originally Posted By: OilGuy
Originally Posted By: ProfPS
Though GM releases GM6094M updates regularly


Only when there are changes. Same for the GM4718M list - only when there are changes.

Originally Posted By: OilGuy
As for a xW-20, I wouldn't expect anybody to spend the money to try and get approved since GM doesn't endorse the xW-20 viscosity. The spec may focus around the xW-30 viscosity in the first place.

What about all of the Saturn Vue 3.5 V6 Honda engine owners that states in the owner's manual to only use GM6094M approved oil and specifies 5w-20?

 

[OilGuy]

Originally Posted By: ProfPS
What about all of the Saturn Vue 3.5 V6 Honda engine owners that states in the owner's manual to only use GM6094M approved oil and specifies 5w-20?


Good point. Duh, all I had to do is read the approved products list. Plenty of 5W-20 approvals listed.

 

[ProfPS]

No harm, no foul. I would like to see GM release a current 4718 list.

 

[StoicDude]

Valvoline lists many viscosities as meeting the VW 502 00 spec and they are not on the list.

As for the rep not knowing something, are you really surprised?

98% of the population will probably look at you as if you had two heads if you tell them that you are on a forum specific dedicated to MOTOR OIL. Not even mentioning the oil formulation, base oil, SAPS, etc.

Go t a dealership and see how many of their sales people know the product better than you. I assume that the people on this forum would be on an enthusiast car forum as well.

Same thing applies in retail. Knowledge is not something that really sells a product, its the sale game. I have been through this plenty of times.

Also, the oil company might be feeding a certain line to their reps, so it is not really their fault for not knowing.

How many people would ask a oil sales rep what their base oil is, let alone what the percentage of those base oils would be?