As reported today in Lube Report part of the discussion about the next generation of PCMO has to do with how does the consumer know which oil to use. The starburst and donut today already confuse a lot of people, not to mention throwing in things like the Dexos mark or a long list of OEM specs on the back.
Considering that the goal is to help the average consumer with their oil choice which of the following three options would you choose?
Originally Posted By: From the article
OPTION 1
The first choice is simply to continue with the current system, with all eligible products showing the Starburst on their front labels whether they meet GF-6A or GF-6B. The API Service Symbol, which has been in use since the 1970s and is commonly known as the “Donut,” would continue to indicate the product’s API Service category, resource-conserving properties and SAE viscosity grade. Concerns expressed in the past about this option are that it does not help assure GF-6B oils do not find their way into older engines.
OPTION 2
The second choice is to continue with the present system only for GF-6A oils, and to have no Starburst mark on GF-6B oils. In this case, the Donut might be used to designate both GF-6B and the API Service category. However, the purpose of the Starburst is to verify for buyers not only the engine performance of the oil but also its fuel economy benefits. The Donut can denote “resource conserving” performance but has been criticized as being less clear and consumer-friendly than the Starburst.
OPTION 3
The third choice is to continue the current system for GF-6A and to create a new certification mark for GF-6B. This choice has the benefit of maintaining the familiar, current system for GF-6A, while developing a distinct designation for GF-6B (and presumably for future oils, too). The downside is that a new certification mark will require an educational process and could lead to confusion.
Read the whole article here if you are interested.
Considering that the goal is to help the average consumer with their oil choice which of the following three options would you choose?
Originally Posted By: From the article
OPTION 1
The first choice is simply to continue with the current system, with all eligible products showing the Starburst on their front labels whether they meet GF-6A or GF-6B. The API Service Symbol, which has been in use since the 1970s and is commonly known as the “Donut,” would continue to indicate the product’s API Service category, resource-conserving properties and SAE viscosity grade. Concerns expressed in the past about this option are that it does not help assure GF-6B oils do not find their way into older engines.
OPTION 2
The second choice is to continue with the present system only for GF-6A oils, and to have no Starburst mark on GF-6B oils. In this case, the Donut might be used to designate both GF-6B and the API Service category. However, the purpose of the Starburst is to verify for buyers not only the engine performance of the oil but also its fuel economy benefits. The Donut can denote “resource conserving” performance but has been criticized as being less clear and consumer-friendly than the Starburst.
OPTION 3
The third choice is to continue the current system for GF-6A and to create a new certification mark for GF-6B. This choice has the benefit of maintaining the familiar, current system for GF-6A, while developing a distinct designation for GF-6B (and presumably for future oils, too). The downside is that a new certification mark will require an educational process and could lead to confusion.
Read the whole article here if you are interested.
