The not-so-clever classic oil additives

[E36UDM]

The not-so-clever classic oil additives

 

Happiness is ..... an engine treated with mineral oil filled with food colouring????

 

To illustrate the whole point about additives, consider this. In the manufacture of synthetic oils, once the synthetic polyol ester bases are created, anti-wear additives such as zinc dithiophosphates (essentially combinations of zinc, phosphorous, and sulphour molecules) are added. These combinations are extremely effective as anti-oxidant, anti-wear, anti-corrosion inhibitors. Now look at the contents of some of the after-market additives. Wow! Zinc, phosphorous and sulphour! Imagine that. Those aftermarket additives are actually exactly what your oil manufacturer has put in already.

 

Consider further that some oil companies actually make a point of telling you not to use aftermarket additives with their oils.

 

So if these additives are so brilliant, why do the companies always seem to end up in trouble? Well - misleading advertising and non-active "active" ingredients claim a lot of victims. Read on......

Note : you can search for the FTC's rulings on any engine additive by using their search page and searching their 'news releases' for the product you're interested in - most of them are in there, which should tell you something..... Slick 50 in $20M lawsuit, loses to FTC.

 

Blue Corral, the manufacturers of the Slick 50 engine oil additive, have been banned by the Federal Trade Commission from making claims about reduced engine wear, increased fuel economy and lower running temperatures in it's advertising in America. The Federal Commission found the company's claims of increased performance and reduced wear were unsubstantiated, and Blue Corral has agreed to pay upwards of $20M in damages to affected customers.

Source: Max Power magazine, March 1998.

Click here to read the FTC Report on the FTC vs. Slick50. ProLong challenged by Consumer Reports, lose to FTC.

 

The manufacturers of the ProLong engine additive have been dealt a smack in the face by a Consumer Reports Magazine report into their product. CR attempted to reproduce the "no oil" test where all the oil was drained out of an engine which had been treated with ProLong, and then the engine was run. CR managed a maximum of 13 seconds running out of each of two engine before they seized up, welding the pistons to the barrels. The case is being brought to a Federal Commision for prosecution for false advertising claims. You can subscribe to the online version of Consumer Reports here for a minimal fee, and read all about it in their October 1998 features.

Source: Consumer Reports, October 1998.

Click here to read the FTC Report on the FTC vs. ProLong. DuraLube challenged by Car&Driver, loses to FTC.

 

The manufacturers of the DuraLube engine additive were dealt a smack in the face by a Car & Driver Magazine report into their product. C&D tried the same tests as Consumer Reports did on ProLong, and had similar results, but in a much quicker time. The C&D engines treated with DuraLube lasted a staggering 11 seconds without oil. You do the math. The Federal Trade Commission dealt with it.....

Click here to read the FTC Report on the FTC vs. Duralube. MotorUp loses to FTC for deceptive advertising claims.

 

In an ongoing campaign targeting ads that tout motor oil additives with deceptive claims that they reduce engine wear or extend engine life compared to motor oil alone, the FTC has charged the seller of Motor Up Engine Treatment with making unsubstantiated and deceptive advertising claims, in violation of federal laws. Motor Up Corporation and its principal, Kyle Burns, face an administrative trial. Click here to read the FTC Report on the FTC vs. MotorUp.

Edited August 1, 2003 by E36UDM

[Martmode8850]

 

the oil majors are the ones with all the cash and resources to do R&D. yet, it does seem unlikely any small firm can come up with addictives that will help or aid our engine performance or petrol consumption. very suspicious wor...

 

bro, you going for the PML fashion show on the 22 Aug 2003? heard got a lot of chio bu one...

[E36UDM]

Wah tempting me ah Then must bring camera leow