As widely reported by PQIA and many local and national news outlets, including an ABC News – Good Morning America segment, the discount chain Dollar General is facing multiple lawsuits for selling “Obsolete” motor oil. The most recent of these lawsuits was filed last month by New Mexico’s Attorney General, Hector Balderas. The lawsuit alleges false advertising, unfair trade practices, and environmental public nuisance for the sale of obsolete motor oil in New Mexico stores from 2010 until February of this year.
Regardless of how the lawsuits are settled, there is some good news to report regarding the Dollar General (DG) branded motor oils. The PQIA has recently observed, from a relatively limited sampling of Dollar
General stores, that the company has upgraded its store brand (DG Auto) motor oils to the current API SN/ILSAC GF-5 service category. The PQIA applauds Dollar General for making the change, and we remain hopeful that this action has been implemented at all of its stores.
The PQIA recently purchased two samples (5W-30 and 10W-30) of the DG Auto brand motor oil label as meeting the API SN/GF-5 Service Category. The results of the tests conducted on the samples show that the products tested meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grades shown on the labels and are consistent with the current API SN Service Category and ILSAC GF-5.
Related Stories:
June 6, 2017
Attorney General Balderas Files Suit Against Major Discount Chain Dollar General
February 12, 2016
PQIA on GMA – Good Morning America – Read the Labels!
February 10, 2016
Motor Oil Lawsuits Offer Critical Lesson: Read the Fine Print
December 22, 2015
“Lawsuit: Dollar General motor oil not safe for cars newer than 1980s”
October 2, 2015
Why are Obsolete Motor Oils Still on the Shelves?