Here's an article posted at Jobbers and it looks like Valvoline is calling out M/E on it's Katrina formulation of M1. If Valvoline has their facts right, the M1 oil is not meeting API specs and instead of paying a premium price and getting premium results, you'd be paying more but getting far less than any API SM oil out there....even the $.99 a qt stuff.

Valvoline Hold its Ground and Turns up the Heat
As reported in the July 24, 2008 issue of Jobbers World Online News, Valvoline launched a national advertising campaign that takes on competitor Mobil 1. The centerpiece of the campaign claim Valvoline SynPower has "four times better wear protection than Mobil 1."

According to Valvoline, the claim is based on the industry standard Sequence IVA test. The Sequence IVA is the industry standard test for determining wear performance of an engine oil and is required to meet the API SL and SM requirements. Multiple tests showed that Valvoline SynPower provided four times better wear protection than Mobil 1, as measured in these tests of 5W-30 grades.

ExxonMobil responded to the claim by saying it was "not aware of any accurate technical data to support the claim" and they requested Valvoline provide the "substantiating data to support this claim immediately."

Rather than backing down, Valvoline is holding its ground, and turns up the heat.

Marketers say the received a letter from Valvoline providing additional information and data to support Valvoline SynPower's significant performance advantage versus Mobil 1. In addition, marketers say the letter turns the table on ExxonMobil's challenge and Valvoline is now challenging ExxonMobil's claim for its Mobil 1 5W-30.

According to the letter, Valvoline says the company conducted a number of tests and commissioned an independent laboratory to evaluate the performance of SynPower and Mobil 1 in the Sequence IVA wear test. Marketers were told the tests were run on a 5W-30 since it's the top selling grade.

Now for the interesting part...

According to a letter Valvoline marketers received, the result from Valvoline's testing indicate:

* Valvoline SynPower's 5W-30 wear performance is at least four times better than Mobil 1 5W-30
* Mobil 1 5W-30 does not meet minimum API SM or ILSAC GF-4 specification because of its inferior performance in the Sequence IVA wear test

The letter reportedly goes on to say that Valvoline notified ExxonMobil of the failed test results in September and that the company take appropriate action regarding their claim that Mobil 1 meets ILSAC GF-4 and API SM specifications, or provide substantiation that they in fact meet these specifications.

As of today, Valvoline told JobbersWorld, ExxonMobil has been silent.


Regardless, the independent testing PAID for by Valvoline shows it reduces wear by 4 times that of M1. All I can say is that M1 has not been turning in the lowest wear metals and frankly, can be beat by most any common dino oil. As most of you know, M1 is not a Gp IV base anymore and is a dino synthetic.
Mobils response:
http://www.jobbersworld.com/December%2018,%202008.htm
Sounds pretty limp wristed to me.
Here's the Sequence IVA test
http://www.swri.org/4org/d08/GasTest...st/default.htm

 

Thanks for the article

 

That is why I use Castrol Oil 0-30 European formula (made in Germany)

 

huh... Bummer

 

Righteous!

 

Dammit, just bought a few jugs of Mobil 1 10w-30 syn. for the car. Got it on sale. Valvoline eh? So quiet for all these years then all of a sudden comes out blasting. I'm mixed on oil brands, always liked Castrol though.

 

and people wonder why I use Car Quest brand synthetic. . . BECAUSE ITS VALVOLINE PACKAGED DIFFERENT!!!!! HALF THE PRICE!!!!

 

And you wonder why people use Amsoil. These two are not the only ones in court right now either...sueing each other over this or that, formulations, fraudulent claims, etc. When's the last time anyone saw Amsoil tied up in court with another oil company??