VLS Bulletin – January 2024 – VLS 010178
VLS 010178 – Dasilad Favoil 10W-40 PCEO Hero A6
On 23/08/2022 the case was reported to VLS.
VLS purchased a number of product test reports from the Institute of Materials. One of these reports related to the product Favoil 10W-40 Hero A6. The test report indicated the product to be non-compliant in a number of areas so VLS arranged for the procurement and independent testing of a new sample of the product to verify the results from the IoM report.
The independent test report that VLS commissioned indicated that the product was not compliant with its own stated technical specification or the performance claims made, for the following reasons:
The Apparent Viscosity at -25°C measured by Cold Cranking Simulator (CCS) returned a value of 7410 millipascals (mPa.s) when tested which is too high against the technical specification for a product of this viscosity as laid down by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) where under SAE J300 specification the maximum limit is given as 7,000 mPa.s.
The claim against the OEM specification VW 502 00 is supported by the technology provider and is allowable under VLS marketing claims guidance.
The Kinematic Viscosity at 100°C test result obtained by VLS was 11.71 centistokes (cSt) which is outside the specification of a minimum of 12.5 cSt for an XX-40 product as defined by SAE J300.
When the Low Temperature Pumping characteristics were measured at -30°C, yield stress was observed, which is not permitted under the SAE J300 specification.
In response the Named Party refuted the claims made by VLS and arranged to have the product tested at their own laboratory. The initial results obtained by the Named Party were from a laboratory that did not hold accreditation to ISO 17025 as recognised by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service and subsequently VLS advised that the tests should be re-run at an ISO 17025 laboratory.
VLS considered the product to be non-complaint on three parameters (CCS, KV at 100 and MRV), and remained in contact with the Named Party up to and including the six-month review period to monitor the steps they were taking to bring the product back into compliance.
A six-month review of the case was carried out in line with VLS’s stated process. The product was found not to be available on open sale in the UK market and therefore the case was closed.
David Wright, Company Secretary of VLS said “We want to ensure we have the highest standards in Europe for lubricant manufacture, blending and marketing, and we want a ‘level playing field’ for all participants, so that we protect the interests of the consumer and other end users.
In the Verification of Lubricant Specifications (UK) Ltd, we have set our course for stronger industry self-regulation by working positively towards more open and transparent competition that benefits all lubricant organisations.”
January 2024
