Inadequate Demonstration Using Hand Held Test and After Market Oil Additives

OBJECTIVE:

Inform AMSOIL Dealers and customers of the potential hazards

of aftermarket oil additives and how they are used in non-

ASTM recognized, hand-operated test machines to manipulate

potential customer buying decisions.

ISSUES:

Aftermarket oil additives have been marketed using an

extreme pressure demonstration tool to showcase the properties

of extreme pressure (EP) additives, attempting to create a

need for their performance benefits in fully formulated engine

oils.

Due to the unrestricted language and marketing claims used by

aftermarket additive manufacturers, consumers are susceptible

to false product claims. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

has issued charges of false and deceptive advertising against

many aftermarket oil additive manufacturers2,3,4,5,6,7 .

TECHNICAL DISCUSSION:

The Falex-manufactured extreme pressure demonstration tool,

also known as the “One-Arm Bandit,” consists of a steel cup

filled with lubricant, a tapered roller bearing mounted on the

torque wrench arm and a rotating steel race powered by an

electric motor. Pressure is applied to the arm to induce contact

between the bearing and spinning race. Metal-to-metal contact

occurs when the lubricant film breaks, causing scoring on

the bearing.

The One-Arm Bandit has been used to show the extreme pressure

benefits of some aftermarket oil additives by highlighting

increased lubricant film strength and less scoring on the bearing.

Additives demonstrated in the One-Arm Bandit can give

the illusion that EP properties are desirable in motor oil. The

concern with this attempt to link EP performance with longterm

engine wear is that engines typically do not experience

exceedingly high levels of pressure.

Although this demonstration tool may be used at trade shows

to showcase the performance of lubricants and aftermarket

additives, it is not an accepted test by the American Society for

Testing and Materials (ASTM) and can be manipulated with

different operating parameters to significantly change the output,

making one believe an engine oil or oil additive is

required for maximum engine protection.

Aftermarket oil additives are not necessary in fully-formulated

oils. Fully-formulated, high-quality engine oils are blended

with additives that are carefully balanced to be synergistic,

performing well together. Tampering with the balance by

adding other chemicals can adversely affect overall oil performance,

sometimes dramatically.

Some aftermarket oil additives contain EP agents that can be

harmful to engine components. Oxidation inhibitor, detergent

and corrosion inhibitor performance is sacrificed when EP

additives are added to fully formulated oil, leading to sludge

formation and engine corrosion.

Some oil additives use chlorine in the form of chlorinated

paraffin (chlorinated wax), which, when united with hydrogen

and water, can form hydrochloric acid (HCl). Because HCl

can lead to severe corrosion in the engine, chlorine additives

are not considered a viable option for modern lubricants1.

The FTC has accused multiple aftermarket additive manufacturers

with misleading consumers into believing their products

can offer extra protection when added to motor oils. The list

of companies includes Prolong2, Slick 503, ZMax4, Duralube5,

Shell Castrol6 and Valvoline7. In the Prolong case, the FTC

specifically pointed out the use of “Friction Test Machine

Demonstration” as a deceptive act2.

RECOMMENDATION:

As noted, the One-Arm Bandit is not an accepted test by the

ASTM and is too variable to differentiate between samples.

Instead, the Standard Test Method for Wear Preventive

Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid (Four-Ball Method), designation

ASTM D-4172, is recognized by the ASTM and is

used to evaluate the anti-wear performance of lubricants1.

AMSOIL firmly recommends against using any aftermarket

additives unless they are recommended by AMSOIL for

AMSOIL products. Don’t be misled by non-ASTM certified

testing demonstrations to sell oil additives that focus exclusively

on EP performance in crankcase environments.