Just to refresh everyone's memory before I get into
talking about engine oils etc. THERE IS VERY LITTLE LEGAL PROTECTION
FOR THE CONSUMER IN THIS AREA and it is basically legal to sell
anything that someone can be talked into buying. For example,
I have seen and continue to see many SUPPOSED top name brands
promoting oil products that do not meet CURRENT vehicle Warranty
standards. In simple terms use of these oils in newer vehicles
will void the warranty. Ok, I already know the question you are
about to ask. Remember we all live in a society that is TOTALLY
driven by PROFIT and Money. Even our own Governments will never
tell us the truth and deliberately hide the truth.
Companies just do the same thing. If they can promote a product
that does nothing but make money for the company, THAT is considered
a GOOD product. Again, I want to emphasize that the ULTIMATE
goal is to MAKE MONEY and there is little concern for anything
else. There are all sorts of products sold that do NOTHING to
extend the life of a vehicle but these items are sold under
the label of "HEAVY DUTY". However, try and find a LEGAL explanation
for that name "HEAVY DUTY". Because vehicle warranties have
no specifications for HEAVY DUTY, selling a product as heavy
duty means NOTHING. (It could even mean a CHEAPER product of
a lesser quality.) I see big stacks of engine oil on display
for sale that SHOULD only be used in vehicles built before 1968
and the use of this oil in newer vehicles would VOID the warranty.
All the company has to do is show the PROPER testing certification
on the product and they can sell it. It is UP TO THE CONSUMER
to be able to read and UNDERSTAND these certifications. It works
like this: If you do damage to your vehicle by purchasing and
using IMPROPER lubricants, the seller has no responsibility
for the damage because its not their fault that you didn't know
what the certification markings are for. Oil filters work the
same way in that if you use an inadequate filter and engine
damage results, IT'S YOUR FAULT.
I see filters that advertise as "EXCEEDS MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS",
but the trick question is, WHAT MANUFACTURER? The company that
manufactures the filter can set their own standards and specifications.
I have tested most major brands of filters and even the top
brand names vary in quality from batch to batch. So what does
a poor vehicle owner do? For years, I was able to recommend
FACTORY filters, meaning GM, Ford, Nissan etc, but now it seems
even that has changed. Some upper level BEAN COUNTER must have
discovered they can make more money by taking the LOWEST bid
when it comes time to get suppliers and the results have been
poorer quality filters. But that makes CORPERATE sense because
they can't sell more vehicles if they help keep the older ones
running longer.
So, what is one to do? I depend on CONSTANT research and I
try to keep on top of the constantly changing market. I get
technical data from the oil companies and make my choice based
on that data. I had to decide a long time that I could not rely
on one specific filter brand for better quality. You would not
believe how many different brands of filters are "ALL" made
by the SAME Company. I do know that if I buy filters from the
vehicle manufacturers, I have a BETTER chance of getting a more
consistent quality. I have also found that I can get better
oil and filters from the companies that do little or no mass
marketing. After all, all that money spent on advertising must
come from somewhere. But what should you do?
Look in your vehicle owner's manual, in the section for recommended
lubricants and you will find a symbol for oil certification.
Use ONLY oil from containers that have that EXACT symbol. (Note
EXACT, close DOES NOT COUNT.) NEVER buy CHEAP. You cannot afford
what it is GOING to cost.
