VLS Bulletin – May 2024 – VLS 010195
VLS 010195 – Silverhook 5W30 Supreme Plus
On 13th October 2023 the case was accepted by VLS.
VLS received a complaint concerning the above product for which it was alleged that the product was making erroneous claims: Ford, BMW, Dexos, etc. with no supporting manufacturers specifications or numbers. The Complainant also alleged that it unlikely that all the bespoke additive packs for each of these specifications could be included in one oil.
VLS reviewed and upheld the complaint for the following reasons:
GM Dexos’ is not a specification. There are four dexos specifications and within these different generations exist. This claim therefore needs clarification.
The exact requirements vary by model for some of the OEM brands listed (BMW, Ford, Nissan, KIA, Toyota), these should be clarified.
All the listed VW specifications cannot be met by the same oil, in addition the sulphated ash requirements of ACEA C2/C3 are not compatible with the VW 502.00/505.00 claim.
API SP is an incompatible claim with VW 502.00/505.00, due to the mutually exclusive phosphorous limits.
VLS is not aware of a proven technology that can support PSA B71 2290 and API SP with the claim against VW 504.00/507.00, can this be evidenced through the Candidate Data Package?
A claim is made for Honda HTO_06, this is a test not a specification and therefore not appropriate as a claim.
In response to the complaint, the Lubricant Marketer asked for some information that VLS was working to for the VW 504.00/507.00 requirements. VLS referred the Lubricant Marketer to their technology provider for the information they requested.
In response to the complaint the Lubricant Marketer stated that the specification for VW 504.00/507.00 has changed in 2020 due to issues with low spark pre-ignition, VAG engines – FSI, TSI and GDI. Latest VW 504.00/507.00 can be API SP.
VLS considers that the complaint has not been fully resolved by the Lubricant Marketer and has concluded its investigation. VLS will conduct a six-month review in line with its stated process and if the product is found to be non-compliant at this stage, it will be reported as such to Trading Standards.
On 3rd May 2024, VLS undertook a six-month review of the case in line with its stated process.
Its findings at the six-month review were as follows:-
The Technical Review Panel had concerns about the product meeting the fuel economy requirements of ACEA C2 and ILSAC GF-6 whilst meeting the tough durability requirements of VW 504.00/507.00, earlier communications requested support for PSA B71 2290 (ACEA C2/C3 based), none has been forthcoming.
Other inconsistencies are detailed in the performance claims as above.
The TDS lists several inaccurate performance claims, detailed under the heading ‘Recommended by Silverhook for applications requiring’, which is ambiguous at best.
Consequently, VLS believes that the product is still non-compliant and so will be reported as such to its Primary Authority partner Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards and also to SAIL-Europe under the EELQMS Lubricant Marketer Letter of Conformance for claims made against the ACEA engine oil sequences.
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.”
May 2024
