Just Say No to Aftermarket Additives

The performance benefits of aftermarket additives are mostly unsubstantiated

AMSOIL has long discouraged motorists from using any kind of aftermarket lubricant additive. After all, AMSOIL synthetic lubricants use the finest quality synthetic basestocks and additive systems. AMSOIL's response to the question "Should aftermarket additives or aftermarket products be added to AMSOIL motor oils?" is " No, you don't need them. AMSOIL motor oils are formulated under the strictest quality control standards to provide superior lubrication performance. Additives cost money and only detract from the quality of AMSOIL motor oils." Additionally, not only do they detract from the quality of the motor oil, but they can also be damaging to your engine.

A perfect example of why AMSOIL discourages use of aftermarket additives is the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) recent lawsuit against zMax auto additives, seeking to halt false and misleading advertising and gain refunds for customers who purchased the products. According to the FTC, the enhanced performance benefits zMax claims its products provide are totally unsubstantiated, and in the same tests cited to support performance claims, motor oil treated with zMax actually produced more than twice as much bearing corrosion than motor oil by itself. They further allege that the three different zMax products- an engine additive, a fuel line additive and a transmission additive- are nothing more than tinted mineral oil.

The complaint states that since at least May of 1999, zMax has aired infomercials promoting its "Power System", a $39 package of three additives to be used in the engine, fuel line and transmission of automobiles. The infomercials are quite convincing, even going as far as featuring testimonials from various consumers and race car drivers making such claims as, "I was averaging about 22 miles to the gallon on the highway. I installed the zMax and so I jumped right up to about 28 miles per gallon" and "zMax guarantees a minimum of 10% gas mileage increase." Other advertising claims "zMax with LinKite has the scientific, CRC L38 proof it takes you car to the Max!" and 'Why zMax Works- Cuts carbon build-up on valve stems 66%; Lowers wear on valve stems 66%; Lowers wear on piston skirts 60%; Reduces blow-by leakage 17.7%; Increases combustion efficiency 9.25%; Lowers fuel consumption 8.5%- results of an independent CRC L38 test."

The CRC L38 test is a standard auto industry test which measures the bearing corrosion protection properties of motor oils. According to the complaint, in early 1997 an independent testing facility performed two CRC L38 tests of the zMaz products. The results showed motor oil treated with zMax additives produced more than double the bearing corrosion as motor oil alone. According to the FTC, the defendants eliminated the bearing corrosion results, as well as all other negative results, to produce one "report" from the two sets of tests, using this "report" in its infomercials and on its website.

The FTC charge alleges that zMax did not possess and rely on reasonable substantiation from the following product claims:

increases gas mileage by a minimum of 10%, reduces engine wear, reduces or eliminates engine wear at startup, reduces engine corrosion, extends engine life and reduces emissions.

The FTC also alleges that the defendants falsely represent that the results of the CRC L38 test prove that zMax:

increases gas mileage, reduces engine wear, extends engine life, lowers fuel consumption by 8.5%, lowers wear on valve stems by 66%, lowers wear on piston skirts by 60% and cuts carbon build-up on valve stems by 66%

Finally, the FTC charges that zMax does not have substantiation for the representation that the testimonials and endorsements shown in the zMax advertising are "the actual and current opinions, findings, beliefs, and/or experiences of those consumers; and typical or ordinary experience of members of the public who use the product."

The lawsuit against zMax is the latest in a long line of FTC charges against auto additive manufacturers. The FTC has previously halted allegedly deceptive advertising by the marketers of Dura Lube, Motor Up, Prolong, Valvoline, Slick 50, STP and other major brands of engine treatment systems.

Read About Other Addatives on the FTC website

Valvoline Engine Treatment

Slick 50 Engine Treatment

STP Engine Treatment

Dura Lube Super Engine Treatment

Dura Lube Advanced Engine Treatment

Motor Up Engine Treatment

Prolong Super Lubricants

Here is my opinion (not only is it my opinion but it is my opinion backed by proven scientific research and testing by some of the worlds best chemists and engineers):

Stay away from all aftermarket additives!

You simply do not need them and you surely don't need the problems they may cause with your engine. If your still not convinced then think about this statement:

The major oil companies, including AMSOIL, are staffed with the, bar none, some of the best chemists, scientists and engineers the world has to offer. Now, don't you think that if they determined that their motor oil was lacking an additive that they would blend it in their additive package? They obviously have the technology and resources and the financial backing to do it. Then why don't they? The answer is simple: They are not needed!

How can it be that some fly by night additive manufacturer can have a miracle, cure-all additive without knowing the chemistry of the oil it will be used in? The answer is, they don't. They simply are out to get your money by using false and deceptive advertising to appeal to your desire to have what they are selling in your engine. They are masters at marketing, not science chemistry and engineering and I would equate them to nothing more than snake oil companies. Thank goodness for the FTC that is actually doing what it is supposed to be doing; protecting the consumer and going after these companies and hopefully put them out of business.