On March 29, 2013, the Petroleum Quality Institute of America issued aConsumer Alert on RelaDyne’s Bullet brand 5W-30 motor oil. Bullet brand motor oils were observed on the shelves at convenience stores operated by Gilligan Oil Company, United Dairy Farmers, and others in the Ohio market.
Understanding the fluid in the bottle falls far short of meeting its labeled, and notably obsolete specifications, and would likely cause harm to an engine, PQIA was pleased that RelaDyne took action to recall the product after we published the alert.
The recall included the 5W-30, 5W-20, and 10W-30 grades of Bullet branded motor oils. In addition PQIA appreciates the fact that John Matarese with ABC News WCPO in Cincinnati did a piece on this recall in an effort to help get the word out to consumers.
With the consumer’s best interest in mind, PQIA contacted RelaDyne following their announced recall of the motor oils to advise they should also examine the quality of their Bullet Premium Non-Detergent 30 Wt motor oil and Bullet Premium Type A Transmission Fluid still on retail shelves.
Aside from the fact that both of these products are labeled as meeting obsolete specifications that have not been suitable for use in automobiles for decades, the samples PQIA obtained appeared to be the same product as those recalled. It takes little more than a shake of the bottle and note of its solvent like odor to raise suspicions.
Subsequently, RelaDyne advised PQIA that it is also “replacing” the Bullet Premium Non-Detergent 30 WT motor oil and Bullet Premium Type A Transmission Fluid currently on the shelves and issued a press release about the recall the day after PQIA brought this issue to their attention.
Further, RelaDyne’s CEO informed PQIA that it will quarantine the recalled products pending receipt of test results from an independent laboratory to assure these products do not contain hazardous materials that may be harmful to consumers and/or the environment.
PQIA is pleased that RelaDyne is promptly addressing its quality issues. At the same time, we remain hopeful RelaDyne will revisit its decision to continue to sell obsolete engine oils and transmission fluids, that are, in RelaDyne’s words, “positioned only as an entry level, lowest price point product, and one that does not meet todays’ specifications for the customer looking for that level of product.”
PQIA believes such obsolete motor oils with a real potential to cause harm to most vehicles currently on the road have no place on retail shelves, especially when labeled “Premium” and containing no warning about their limited use.
