An area where PQIA sees considerable room for improvement is with motor oils only meeting obsolete API specifications (SA, SB, SC, SD, SE). Whereas there are certain applications where these products are appropriate, they generally have limited use and can cause harm to most passenger car engines. Unfortunately, PQIA frequently finds these products on store shelves with labels that not only lack any precautionary statements to advise consumers of their limited use, but instead use marketing terms suggestive of a high quality product. One example of such a brand is XCEL shown below.

The XCEL labels display terms suggestive of high quality and  lack any precautionary statements about the fact these products are not suitable for use in most gasoline-powered automobile engines built after 1930. Further, whereas API SA oils are generally monogrades due to the lack of additives, consumers can easily assume these XCEL motor oils are appropriate for use in their vehicle because they are offered in multi-grade viscosities commonly required in vehicles currently on the road.       

 

CLICK BOTTLES FOR LABEL DETAILS AND TEST RESULTS

• Protects like no other
• PREMIUM
• SPECIAL  
• A multi-grade highly refined general purpose automotive oil
• Formulated from a quality blend of selected lubricants to provide protection against oxidation and corrosion of engine parts.
• This economical quality blended lubricant provides excellent and durable lubrication for automobiles and light truck engines to minimize oil consumption cost.
• Recommended for older cars where a minimum amount of additive is required
• API Service SA

• Is not suitable for use in most gasoline-powered automotive engines built after 1930.
• Use in more modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm.

Whereas marketers might argue they advise consumers accordingly by including the "API Service SA" on the label, the fact is, less than 1% of consumers are even vaguely familiar with the API Service Classification system. In fact, often when asked, many consumers relate the API rating to school grades and as such, believe and SA must be better than and B, C, or D.

So rather than fooling ourselves, or worse yet, taking advantage of the consumer's lack of knowledge about the codes on labels that speak to quality levels, PQIA encourages the use of language consumers understand. The API recommends specific warning labels for many obsolete specification motor oils to clearly communicate the limited use for these oils, and we applaud those marketers who use it. Click here for an example of responsible labeling of API SB engine oil.  

The viscosity @ 100°C for Liberty Gold Plus ATF is far below the typical specified viscosity for automatic transmission fluids. In addition, the test results for this sample show unusually high levels of silicon, iron, manganese, copper, and lead, indicating that this product may contain used and/or contaminated oil.

Also concerning is that the product label on Liberty Gold ATF says "A SPECIALLY FORMULATED TOP OFF FLUID" It is important to note that there is no such category as "top-off" oil, and use of this fluid could lower the viscosity of the transmission fluid to levels that could harm the transmission.

According to Thomas Glenn, President of PQIA, "we are seeing an increase in the number of poor quality motor oils and transmission fluids in the marketplace with labels describing the products as "top off oil." Glenn says the term "top off oil" is not recognized by any governing body in the lubricants industry as a specification or service classifications defining the performance of such products." 

Of concern, Glenn says, "PQIA's test results show oils bearing the "top of oil" terms are often wolves in sheep's clothing. Instead of referencing such globally accepted and required engine oil standards as SAE viscosity grades and API Service Categories, these so called "top off" oils prey on the consumer's lack of knowledge about industry standards by simply ignoring them, or referencing obsolete specifications. They play on the appeal of terms consumers are familiar with and often hear when getting their oil changed." 

As an example, Glenn says, it's not unusual for a consumer to hear a fast lube say they "topped off" the fluids (windshield washer fluid, power steering fluid, or coolant) when they get their oil changed. Because of this, it's a familiar term and one that would seem to be a valued service. But whereas it's true a car owner may need to top off these fluids and the oil in an engine if it's down a quart or so, Glenn says the quality of the engine oil required to top off is no different than the quality of oil required for an oil change. Further Glenn adds, most of the so called "top off" oils PQIA has tested are so far off specification they can do damage to your engine. 

So don't fall for it. Alarms should go off when you read "Top Off" on the label. Whereas your engine oil may need to be topped off when low, the oil required to top it off is no different that the oil required for an oil change.  READ YOUR OWNERS MANUAL.