CBS News Chicago Goes to Bat to Help Protect Consumers in Illinois From Off-spec, and Potentially Harmful Motor Oils
December 11, 2014
Six states have already taken action to protect its citizens from off-spec, potentially engine damaging motor oils. They have done so by testing products purchased from retail stores and ordering off the shelves and out of the state any motor oils that they find fail their labeled specifications.
But whereas that’s good news for the car owners in states that have taken action, it provides no protection for those in other states where these products continue to be sold to unsuspecting consumers. Illinois is one such state and CBS News took to the air last night to shine a bright light on the problem and ask state officials for answers.
PQIA assisted in this effort by going on the road with CBS News this week to randomly visit convenience stores in the Chicago area and help identify and understand the dangers of the brands that have been ordered off the shelves in other states. And unfortunately, some of these brands were not hard to find. In fact, three such brands (Orbit, Everclear, and Black Knight) were the primary products on the shelves in three of the first four stores visited.
CLICK FOR CBS NEWS STORY AND VIDEO
Including the Bans New Jersey Announced Last Week, Six States Have Now Taken Action to Protect Consumers From Bad Motor Oils
December 10, 2015
Six states have taken action to help protect consumers from motor oils and transmission fluids that are potentially harmful to vehicles. They do so by ordering these products off the shelves in the state. It should be noted, however, that while products may be ordered off the shelves in one state, such potentially harmful products can, and often are, found in other states that have not taken action to remove them.
So far, the states shown in GREEN below have taken taken action.
CLICK FOR THE LIST OF BANNED BRANDS BY STATE
A LIST ALL STATES SHOULD BE ON, AND NO MOTOR OIL MANUFACTURERS WANT TO BE ON
New Jersey Office of Weights and Measures Bans 19 Motor Oil Products, After Lab Testing Reveals Their Viscosity Fails to Match That Promised On the Label
December 4, 2015
CLICK PICTURE BELOW
The New Jersey Office of Weights and Measures today issued a statewide ban on 19 motor oil products, bearing the brand names “Auto Club Motor Oil,” “Black Knight Motor Oil,” “Lube State Motor Oil,” “MaxiGuard MG,” “Orbit Motor Oil,” “TruStar Motor Oil,” “U.S. Economy Motor Oil,” and “U.S. Spirit Motor Oil.”
CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE
The banned products may no longer be sold in New Jersey. Retail establishments that continue to sell them will be subject to a civil penalty of at least $100 per package or container of the banned product – a penalty far in excess of the approximately $3 to $4 per quart bottle for which many of these products have been sold. A full list of the banned products, with photos, can be found on the State Office of Weights and Measures website.
Pursuant to a Stop-Use and Removal Order issued today by State Office of Weights and Measures Acting Superintendent Howard Pine, all New Jersey retail establishments are ordered to immediately remove the 19 banned motor oil products from their store shelves or other product displays, and stop selling or using them. Businesses that fail to comply are subject to a penalty of no less than $100 per package or container that is sold or offered for sale.
CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE
“The retailers may not have known that these products are mislabeled and potentially damaging when used with the wrong vehicles,” State Office of Weights and Measures Acting Superintendent Howard Pine said. “Now that these facts are known, any retailer who fails to remove these products from store shelves will face a penalty far greater than the potential profits to be gained by selling these products.”
The banned products are:
Auto Club Motor Oil SAE 5W-30
Auto Club Motor Oil SAE 10W-30
Auto Club Motor Oil SAE 10W-40
Auto Club Motor Oil SAE 20W-50
Black Knight Motor Oil 5-30
Black Knight Motor Oil 10-40
LubeState Motor Oil SAE 10W-30
MaxiGuard MG 10-30
MaxiGuard MG 10-40
MaxiGuard MG 20-50
MaxiGuard MG SAE30 (Withdrawn from list by 1/21/15 Order)
Orbit Motor Oil 5-20
Orbit Motor Oil 10-40
TruStar Motor Oil 10-30
U.S. Economy Motor Oil 5-30
U.S. Economy Motor Oil 10-40
U.S. Economy Motor Oil SAE 10W-40
U.S. Spirit Motor Oil SAE 10W-30
U.S. Spirit Motor Oil SAE 10W-40
New Jersey State Office of Weights and Measures Enforcement Supervisor John McGuire and Officers James Logothetis, Richard Pluymers, and Administrative Assistant Brigita Singh, and State Division of Consumer Affairs Investigators Michael Bruch, Vincent Buonanno, Jared O’Cone, and Raquel Williams, conducted or assisted in this investigation. Deputy Attorney General Neil Magnus, within the Division of Law, is representing the State in this action.
Acting Director Lee acknowledged the Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA), an independent organization that tests and reports on the quality and integrity of lubricants in the marketplace, for calling attention to this issue.
Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.
Buyers Beware – PQIA Finds Everclear on the Shelves in Virginia
November 25, 2014
PQIA Cautions Consumers in Virginia to Steer Clear of Everclear Motor Oil – Issues Consumer Alerts
10W-30
5W-30
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America once again issues Consumer Alerts on the Everclear Brand of motor oil. This time, however, it’s on samples of 5W-30 and 10W-30 purchased in Virginia. The results of the tests conducted on these samples do NOT meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are NOT consistent with the listed API Service Category.
This is not the first time, or the only state where PQIA has found issues with Everclear Motor Oil. Previously Alerts include: May 2014, Oct 2013, Nov 2012, July 2011, and March 2011
Results are in
November 3, 2014
The results of the tests conducted on four samples most recently examined by PQIA (including two high mileage oils) meet the requirements of their labelled SAE viscosity grade and API Service Category.
CLICK BOTTLES BELOW FOR BRAND SPECIFIC DETAILS
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Amber Resources Join to Support PQIA
October 29, 2014
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is pleased to announce AMBER RESOURCES, a leading lubricant marketer on the West Coast, has joined to support PQIA’s efforts to assure the quality and integrity of lubricants in the market.
More 5W-30s; all look good
October 24, 2014
The results of the tests conducted on the four samples most recently examined by PQIA meet the requirements of an SAE 5W-30, API SN, ILSAC GF-5 motor oil.
CLICK BOTTLES FOR DETAILS
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Michigan Issues Stop-Use and Stop Removal Order for Antifreeze
October 14, 2014
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) issued a Stop-Use and Stop-Removal Order for antifreeze/coolant manufactured, packaged, and/or distributed prior to September 11, 2014, by the following Detroit, Michigan, companies after finding the products may cause damage to vehicle engines:
- State Petroleum 1 Inc.
- Petro-Zone and Dual-Temp
- Omni PPG, Inc.
These products are sold under the Petro Zone Smart, Petro Zone and Ice Shield XXX brands.The Stop-Use and Stop-Removal Orders prohibit the sale, offering for sale, or use of these antifreeze/coolants manufactured, packaged, and/or distributed by these companies.
Georgia Takes Action – Issues Stop Sale Order for Several Brands of Motor Oil, ATF, and an Antifreeze
October 7, 2014
The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Fuel & Measures Division has issued a Stop Sale Order for the following products:
– U.S. Economy 10-40 Motor Oil
– Bullseye Brand Type A Automatic Transmission Fluid
– Bullseye Brand 10W-30, 10W-40, 5W-30, and 20W-50 Motor Oils
– Bullseye Brand Antifreeze
– Super XXX Brand 10W-40 Motor Oil
– Ever Clear Brand Automatic Transmission Fluid
– Ever Clear Brand 10-30, 10-40, 20-50, and 5-30 Motor Oils
– Black Knight Brand Type A Automatic Transmission Fluid
– Black Knight Brand 10-30, 10-40, 20-50, and 5-30 Motor Oils
A Look at More SAE 0W-20 and 5W-20 Motor Oils
October 2, 2014
Although 5W-30 remains the dominate viscosity grade of engine oils used in passenger cars in the US market, such lighter grades as 0W-20 and 5W-20 are gaining ground. The reason is because they provide improvements in fuel economy and low temperature performance. Both issues are important to car manufacturers and many new cars now require the use of these lighter viscosity grades. As an example, most newer model Honda and Toyota vehicles require the use of SAE 0W-20 motor oils, and Ford specifies 5W-20 for many of its vehicles.
With the increasing presence of these and other low viscosity motor oils on the retail shelves, PQIA has been looking at these products to help assure the quality and integrity of the oils sold. Test results for the second group in this series follow below.
The results of the tests conducted on this group of low viscosity motor oils examined by PQIA meet the specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Category.
CLICK ON THE BOTTLES BELOW FOR TEST RESULTS
 Federated 0W-20 |
 Castrol |
 StarFire 0W-20 |
 Warren Oil 5W-20 |
 RacePro 5W-20 |
CLICK BELOW FOR CONSOLIDATED RESULTS FOR 0W-20s
September 28, 2014
The results of the tests conducted on the latest round of SAE 5W-30, API SN passenger car motor oils examined by PQIA meet the specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Category…
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| High Mileage | Synthetic |
NOCO Joins to Support PQIA’s Efforts to Help Assure the Quality and Integrity of Lubricants in the Market
September 25, 2014
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is pleased to announce that NOCO has joined PQIA’s growing list of lubricant manufacturers, marketers, additive suppliers, and other supporters working to help assure the quality and integrity of motor oils, transmission fluids, and other lubricants in the market. CLICK FOR MORE
Spotlight on High Mileage Motor Oils
September 2014
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America is now taking a look at the High Mileage motor oils on retail shelves. High Mileage motor oils are typically formulated for use in vehicles with more than 75,000 miles on the engine. They usually contain additives that provide enhanced deposit, sludge and wear protection. In addition, they typically contain seal conditioners to help reduce oil leaks.
CLICK BOTTLES BELOW
Royal Purple Joins to Support PQIA’s effort to Help Assure the Quality and Integrity of Motor Oils in the US Market
September 15, 2014
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is pleased to announce that Royal Purple, a Calumet company, has joined the growing list of companies supporting PQIA’s efforts to help assure the quality and integrity of lubricants sold in the US market.
PQIA Working with States to Help Protect Consumers from Inferior, potentially engine damaging motor oils
September 2014
“PQIA has been an invaluable partner in helping us protect consumers by enhancing our existing motor oil program’s capabilities. Their thorough analysis, technical guidance, and precise and easy to understand reports have been instrumental in removing harmful products from the marketplace.”
Ronald G. Hayes, Director, Weights, Measures & Consumer Protection Division Missouri Department of Agriculture…
“The analysis of the blind sample results sent to PQIA and their detailed reports were instrumental in helping Michigan get felony convictions against the owners of City Petroleum and Star Petroleum. With the prevalence of these types of misbranded products being found throughout the U.S., we will continue to search out those being sold in Michigan and take the necessary action to protect Michigan consumers.”
Craig A. VanBuren
Director, Consumer Protection
Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
Reliance Fluid Technologies Joins to Support PQIA
August 21, 2014
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is pleased to announce Reliance Fluid Technologies (RFT) has joined PQIA’s growing list of lubricant manufacturers, marketers, additive suppliers, and other supporters working to help assure the quality and integrity of motor oils, transmission fluids, and other lubricants in the market. Click for More
PQIA Welcomes the Support of JAX to Help Assure the Quality and Integrity of Lubricants
July 18, 2014
Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is pleased to announce JAX has joined PQIA’s growing list of lubricant manufacturers, marketers, additive suppliers, and others in helping to assure the quality and integrity of motor oils, transmission fluids, and other lubricants in the market.
JAX, based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial, synthetic and food-grade lubricants for machinery and processes. Click for more.
0W-20s and More
July 3, 2014
PQIA tested the following brands of 0W-20, 5W-20, and 5W-30 motor oils. Only one has an issue.
Click bottles below for details.
 0W-20 |
 0W-20 |
 0W-20 |
 0W-20 |
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 5W-20 |
 5W-20 |
 5W-20 |
 5W-30 |
 5W-30 |
 5W-30 |
AG KOSTER SUES RETAILERS FOR SELLING DECEPTIVE AUTOMOBILE ENGINE PRODUCTS
June 12, 2014
NOT IN OUR STATE!
Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced today that his office has joined the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Division of Weights and Measures in a crackdown on mislabeled and fake auto-engine products. Koster filed lawsuits against five St. Louis-area retailers for selling engine products knowing the products either misrepresented their contents or could seriously damage consumers’ cars.
The following retailers are being sued for continuing to sell suspect products in violation of the Stop-Sale order:
– Unique Mark, 9641 St. Charles Rock Road
– Shell, 4903 Goodfellow Blvd.
– Phillips 66, 5003 Goodfellow Blvd.
– Kenny’s Discount, 5477 N. Kings Highway
– Quality Market, 2708 N. Florissant Ave.
Koster’s lawsuits seek to permanently ban the retailers from selling these products in the future, and restitution for consumers who purchased the products after the Stop-Sale Order and for any resulting harm to the consumers’ cars. The lawsuits also seek civil penalties and the payment of costs associated with the investigation and prosecution of the cases. CLICK FOR MORE.
Note: With regards to the “Royal” brand mentioned in the release, it should be noted that the “Royal” product sited is not associated or affiliated with Royal Mfg Co Tulsa, OK or Schertz, TX. The Pinnacle Platinum product sited, which is manufactured by Pinnacle Brands, is not affiliated or associated with Pinnacle Oil in Indianapolis, IN.
CONSUMERS BEWARE – EVERCLEAR CAN CAUSE HARM TO ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS
May 19, 2014
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America issues DON’T BUYS on motor oil and transmission fluid manufactured and marketed by Everclear of Ohio. Test results reveal serious issues with the Everclear 10W-30, 10W-40, 5W-30 motor oil, and the Everclear Automatic Transmission Fluids (ATF).
Each of the Everclear products tested have high levels of silicon which is typically associated with abrasive material. In addition, two failed to meet their labelled viscosity grade and each of the motor oils contained high levels of metals (iron, copper, tin, aluminum). These metals are typically found in used oil.
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This is not the first time PQIA has alerted consumers about Everclear lubricants.
The first Consumer Alert was issued on Everclear 5W-30 in a press release in March 2011. Another alert was announced in July 2011 on its 10W-30. That was followed by a Consumer Alert on Everclear’s automatic transmission fluid in August 2012, and in October 2013 PQIA announced a Consumer Alert when it found Everclear’s 5W-30 did not meet its labeled viscosity grade and was contaminated with material strongly suggestive of used oil.
LET PQIA KNOW IF AND WHERE YOU FIND EVERCLEAR
WILL OHIO TAKE ACTION?
May 19, 2014
While Everclear motor oils and transmission fluids remain on the shelves in Ohio… the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services took clear and decisive action in December 2013 to get these products off the shelves in their State. They did so by issuing Stop-Sale Orders for Everclear 5W-30, 10W-30 and 10W-40 motor oil. In addition, Everclear Automatic Transmission Fluid was also pulled from sale for failure to meet any recognized specifications.
So Why Doesn’t the State of Ohio take action to protect its citizens from these products?
PQIA opened communications with the Federal Trade Commission office in Cleveland Ohio early in 2011 regarding Everclear motor oils and other motor oils with serious deficiencies that are sold in the State. Whereas the Ohio FTC office expressed concerns about the issue, they are reportedly “resource constrained,” and, sadly, declined to take action. Although PQIA appreciates the Ohio FTC office’s comments suggesting that action might be taken in the future, PQIA remains very concerned that automobile engines and transmissions will be damaged while consumers wait.
With that, Buyers Beware of Everclear Motor Oils and Transmission Fluids sold in Ohio or any other state.
Bad Motor Oils Still on the Shelves
May 9, 2014
News12 New Jersey – Kane In Your Corner, in cooperation with PQIA, ran a three part investigative series exposing a serious issue all car owners should be aware of. That issue being dangerous motor oil for sale at gas stations and convenience stores; some of it was so contaminated that it could seriously damage a car or void its warranty.
Now, five months later, a Kane In Your Corner investigation finds the brands that did worst in lab tests do not appear to have kept their promises to make things better. CLICK FOR MORE
MaxiGuard Motor Oil: CONSUMER ALERT
CONSUMER ALERT: The label on the product tested shows “10-40”, implying that the oil is 10W-40 motor oil. In fact, the viscosity for this product is 50% below the minimum requirements for 10W-40 oil. In addition, the test results for this product show the oil lacks the critical additives necessary to protect engines from wear, sludge, rust, and corrosion, and contains high levels of potentially abrasive silicon. Use of this oil will cause damage to automotive engines. It is also important to note that the bottle does not contain 1 quart/946 ML of motor oil. Instead, it contains approximately 825 milliliters. Whereas the volume in the bottle should be expressed in liquid measure, it displays content as dry weight of 740 grams.
Note: The Petroleum Quality Institute of America has issued several Consumer Alerts and “Don’t Buys”on the MaxiGuard brand highlighted in the Kane in Your Corner news segment. PQIA is pleased to hear the manufacturers of MaxiGuard motor oil, Bass Oil Chemical, have assured News12 NJ Kane in Your Corner they will address the issue and that they say the State of New York’s Department of Weights and Measures recently visited its facility to discuss the product.urers of MaxiGuard motor oil, Bass Oil Chemical, have assured News12 NJ Kane in Your Corner they will address the issue and that they say the State of New York’s Department of Weights and Measures recently visited its facility to discuss the product.
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America Welcomes the Support of Dennis K. Burke, Inc.
May 2, 2014
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is pleased to announce Dennis K. Burke, Inc. has joined PQIA’s growing list of supporters working to help assure the quality and integrity of motor oils, transmission fluids, and other lubricants in the market. Dennis K. Burke, Inc is a family owned business headquartered in Chelsea, Massachusetts. The company has been delivering diesel fuel, gasoline, and a complete line of lubricants since 1961. Click Here For More
PQIA to Discuss Substandard Motor Oil at the 99th National Conference on Weights and Measures Annual Meeting this July
April 23, 2014
PQIA will present data to state and local weights and measures officials from across the country at the 99th NCWM Annual Meeting this July showing the magnitude of the problem. They will also discuss possible ways to improve collaboration between their programs and state regulatory agencies. MORE
More 5W-20s – Click bottles below for details
April 29, 2014
PQIA has completed another set of analyses for 5W-20 motor oils. No issues were found in this set. Click here for specifics about these brands. In addition, the test results for the last 27 samples of 5W-20 are now consolidated in a single table for convenient review. Click here for all 5W-20 tested to date.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL 5W-20s TESTED by PQIA
Bad Motor Oils Exposed – Four Month Follow-up
April 16, 2014
In December 2013, News12 New Jersey, in cooperation with PQIA, ran a three part investigative series on a serious issue all car owners should be aware of bad engine oils in the market.
Four months after Kane In Your Corner investigation exposed harmful motor oil for sale in New Jersey, the bad brands are still on the market. CLICK FOR MORE
CLICK BELOW FOR EACH PART IN THE SERIES THAT AIRED IN DECEMBER 2013
L.F. Powers Joins to Support PQIA’s Efforts to Help Assure the Quality and Integrity of Motor Oils and Other Lubricants in the Marketplace
March 26, 2014
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA), is pleased to announce L.F. Powers Co, Inc., headquartered in Waterbury, CT, has joined the ranks of other lubricant blenders, marketers, additive companies, and others supporting PQIA’s efforts to assure the quality and integrity of lubricants in the market. Click Here For More
PQIA Issues a Don’t Buy on Orbit Type A Transmission Fluid
March 17, 2014
Last week, the Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) announced “Don’t Buys” on three viscosity grades of Orbit motor oil. PQIA now issues a Don’t Buy on Orbit’s Type A Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Test results show the sample is more than 70% below the minimum viscosity requirement for a Type A ATF. In addition, the flash point is 24°C below the minimum requirement for a Type A ATF. Use of this oil will cause damage to automatic transmissions.It should also be noted that Type A is an OBSOLETE specification intended for use in General Motors automatic transmissions built prior to 1957. Click Transmission Fluid Time Line
PQIA Issues a Don’t Buy on Orbit Motor Oil
March 13, 2014
PQIA has uncovered a fraudulent brand of “Motor Oil” on retail shelves in Missouri and Indiana, and likely available elsewhere throughout the Midwest, that is capable of destroying your car engine in short order. The brand is Orbit and it’s manufactured by Orbit Oil in Gary, Indiana.
PQIA’s analysis of the Orbit samples show the products are extremely thin, as much as 74% below the minimum viscosity requirements for their implied viscosity grade. Motor oils this thin are not able to adequately separate and lubricate moving engine parts and can lead to rapid wear and even engine seizure. In addition, the samples tested lack the critical additives needed to protect car engines from wear, sludge, rust and corrosion, and may contain abrasive contaminates. Accordingly, PQIA has issued a “DON’T BUY” for Orbit brand motor oils.
These fraudulent oils should not be added to your car engine, and if you see this brand in your area, please contact PQIA via our hotline.
Click For Details
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Missouri |
Indiana |
Note: The labels on the products tested prominently display what a reasonable person would believe to be a viscosity grade (i.e.”5-30″), implying that the oil is a 5W-30 motor oil. None of the products tested come close to the implied viscosity grades shown on their labels.
Ocean State Oil Joins to Support PQIA’s Efforts to Help Assure the Quality of Motor Oils and Other Lubricants in the Market
March 7, 2014
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is pleased to announce Ocean State Oil joins to support PQIA’s efforts to help assure the quality and integrity of lubricants in the market.
Lou Boschetti, Sales Manager Ocean State Oil says, “Ocean State Oil and our sister company, Domestic Fuels and Lubes, are pleased to be joining the Petroleum Quality Institute of America. We support PQIA’s efforts to make sure consumers are aware of the quality of lubricants they are purchasing in the marketplace. Most consumers don’t realize that in many areas of our country there is very little to no oversight of the quality of lubricants that are being purchased. While most lubricant manufacturers and marketers are reputable, there are a few players who choose to market low quality, off-spec or obsolete products. We support PQIA efforts to directly address this issue by testing product integrity and raising consumer awareness of these issues.” Click Here For More
PQIA Completes Third Set of 5W-20 Motor Oils
March 3, 2014
PQIA has completed another set of analyses for 5W-20 motor oils. No issues were found in this set. Click here for specifics about these brands.
CLICK BOTLES FOR DETAIL
In addition, the test results for the last 27 samples of 5W-20 are now consolidated in a single table for convenient review. Click here for all 5W-20 tested to date.
Michigan AG Announces Felony Charges Against Four Individuals for Intentionally Selling Mislabeled Motor Oils
February 27, 2014
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced felony criminal charges against four Wayne County individuals for allegedly selling intentionally mislabeled motor oil products to retailers across the state.
Schuette charged Moussa Kaddouh, 58, of Dearborn; Ali Kaddouh, 34, of Dearborn; Joe Kdouh, 61, of Dearborn Heights; and Ayman Faraj, 36, of Canton, with felony charges for intentionally selling an improperly labeled commodity as well as misdemeanors for possessing an uncertified measuring device to sell commodities.
City Petroleum, based in Dearborn, sells wholesale motor oil and transmission fluid products labeled “City Star” to retailers throughout Michigan. Brothers Moussa Kaddouh and Joe Kdouh own and operate the business and employ Ali Kaddouh, Moussa’s son.
Star Petroleum, based in Detroit, sells wholesale motor oil and transmission fluid products labeled “Star” to retailers throughout Michigan. Star is owned and operated by Faraj. City Petroleum and Star Petroleum are not affiliated.
The product sold allegedly contained used motor oil instead of new motor oil. In addition, the bottles were under filled. The felonies punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.
It should be noted that PQIA’s analysis of these motor oils, beginning in 2011, not only indicated the presence of used motor oil but also other serious deficiencies that would likely result in damage to a car engine.
Ashland Responds to PQIA’s Advisory on Valvoline NextGen Conventional 5W-20 Motor Oil
January 16, 2014
On January 8, 2014, PQIA issued an Advisory on a sample of Valvoline NextGen Conventional 5W-20 motor oil. The reason for the Advisory is that the sample tested failed the Noack Volatility requirements for an API SN/ILSAC GF-5.
Thom Smith, Vice President Lubricant Technology Ashland Consumer Markets, sent PQIA a letter on January 10th outlining Ashland’s position on the analysis of the Valvoline NextGen 5W-20 sample and the Noack Volatility test. The letter was accompanied by an email noting that Mr. Smith would call PQIA to discuss their position. Mr. Smith contacted PQIA on Jan 15 to review the letter and its position.
Published with Ashland’s permission, its letter to PQIA on this subject can be seen by clicking the letter at the right.
The essence of Ashland’s position is expressed in Thom Smith’s statement:
“As you are aware, the ASTM D5800 test results can vary significantly from one piece of test equipment to the next. We have experienced variances between calibrated units in excess of the published reproducibility when testing commercial formulations. We believe that this may explain the extreme difference in test results that we are seeing.”
Whereas PQIA respects Ashland’s position with regards to this issue, PQIA’s approach is to use the industry standards when we perform an analysis. The industry standard for Noack Volatility is ASTM D-5800, Procedure B.
Results in on Second Round of Testing on 5W-20 Motor Oils
January 8, 2014
The results of PQIA’s second round of testing on 5W-20 motor oils are in and an Advisory is issued on one sample tested (Valvoline NextGen®) as it does not meet the volatility requirements for an API SN/ILSAC GF-5. More
