12 Engine Oil Brands We Avoid At All Costs
When it comes to maintaining your car, picking the right engine oil is crucial. But let’s face it, not all oils are created equal. These 12 oils have earned their spots on our “naughty list” for a few reasons.
Some of these oils contain abrasive materials that could wear down your engine, others are just too thin to provide the protection your engine needs. Several of these falter when the temperature drops, and even lack essential additives that help keep your engine running smoothly.
Sgt. P Motor Oil
Let’s chat about Sgt. P Motor Oil, often dubbed “The Engine Destroyer” on more than a few online forums. Critics and users point out that it lacks crucial additives that help safeguard your engine, and it shares the same poor viscosity issues found in Mileage 365 Lubricants—meaning it doesn’t perform well in cold weather.
But it gets more interesting: despite claims of being “API certified,” remember, API issues licenses; they don’t certify products. That’s a red flag about credibility right there.
Super Green Smokeless Motor Oil
Transparency is key when it comes to any product, and unfortunately, Super Green seems a bit murky here. Users have complained about the lack of clear labeling, which raises questions about what’s actually in the oil and how it meets (or fails to meet) industry standards.
In 2019, the Petroleum Quality Institute of America actually issued a consumer alert against it. Why? Because of its high viscosity, lack of critical additives, high phosphorus content, and some issues with labeling. They flat-out said using this oil could harm your engine.
AmazonBasics Engine Oil
Amazon sells just about everything, including their own brand of synthetic engine oils under the AmazonBasics line. It’s super affordable, costing less than $25 for a five-quart bottle. But you know what they say about getting what you pay for, right? This oil is on the cheaper side, which means it’s missing some key additives that more expensive brands might offer.
Despite this, it seems to do a decent job according to some users, making it a less risky choice compared to others on this list. However, don’t expect it to be your engine’s best friend for the long haul.
Bullseye Motor Oil
Bullseye Motor Oil really missed the mark, and not in a good way. Back in 2012, the Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) basically told consumers to steer clear of this brand with a blunt “Don’t Buy” warning. This followed some serious issues reported in Michigan the year before. Tests showed that Bullseye oil didn’t meet its own specifications and was potentially harmful to car engines.
Worse still, there was evidence suggesting it might contain used oil, with high levels of contaminants like aluminum, iron, and silicon. And with hardly any zinc—an essential anti-wear additive—this oil is more of a gamble than a guarantee.
Petrola Motor Oil
Petrola Motor Oil likes to boast about being a premium product, but the reality seems to be a bit less glossy. Despite its claims, the PQIA had to step in with a consumer alert in May 2019. They found Petrola oil sitting on shelves in an Ohio convenience store, but there was a catch: the labels were problematic.
They didn’t meet the requirements of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act or the Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulations, lacking basic but crucial details like the manufacturer’s name and address.
Cruz-In Motor Oil
Cruz-In might not be cruising much longer if they keep up like this. In 2017, the PQIA threw up a big red flag on virtually every oil Cruz-In was selling.
The issue? Well, there were a few: from poor physical properties and an unimpressive elemental analysis to some really questionable labeling practices. Their oil’s viscosity, measured in cSt, was noted at a disappointing 4.6, way below what your engine really needs. And although its cold-cranking score was technically within the standard range, it barely made the cut.
Mileage 365 Lubricants
And then we circle back to Mileage 365 Lubricants, which seems to be consistently underwhelming. Back in 2017, the PQIA had to issue another alert about their products, this time taking a jab at their poor labeling among other issues. Here’s a fun fact: the label claimed a “5-30” viscosity range from 4 cSt to 12 cSt at 100° Celsius.
This range doesn’t even match any recognized standards for multi-viscosity oils as defined by SAE J300. What’s more, the label skips out on crucial details like the manufacturer’s contact info. Not only is it misleading, it’s basically leaving you in the dark about who to call if something goes wrong.
Quaker State Q Motor Oil
Quaker State Q Motor Oil might have a familiar name, but it seems like it’s been slipping a bit. Here’s the scoop: it’s pricier than some other oils that supposedly offer higher performance, but it doesn’t seem to live up to its cost.
The problem? It’s got a high volatility rate, which basically means it’s not as stable as you’d want, especially due to a lack in essential additives that keep your engine running smoothly.
Forums like GM Longroof Forum have users voicing concerns, with some saying it even caused their oil pressure to plummet.
Q10-40 Motor Oil
Now, here’s a tale about Q10-40 Motor Oil that’s not exactly a bedtime story. According to the PQIA, this oil was slapped with a consumer alert back in 2017 for a bunch of no-good reasons.
It turns out this oil might just be your engine’s worst enemy, leading to sludge build-up and corrosion. Even though the label says it’s “Suitable for Moderate Diesel Engines,” using it in just about any diesel engine might actually damage it.
Questron Motor Oil
Moving onto Questron Motor Oil, which found itself under the harsh spotlight of a PQIA alert in January 2020. The warning couldn’t be clearer: using this oil is likely to harm virtually any automobile engine. The root of the problem? It seems Questron has been playing fast and loose with the truth.
Their labels boast of “SAE 10W-30 PREMIUM SN-GF5 MOTOR OIL” and claim to meet the latest automotive manufacturer requirements. But according to the PQIA, those claims are as trustworthy as a soggy paper bridge.
Liberty Gold Plus SMO 5W-30 Motor Oil
Then there’s Liberty Gold Plus SMO 5W-30 Motor Oil, which is in a bit of hot water too. The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) doesn’t mince words here: this oil’s viscosity is nearly 70% below the ideal level for a 5W-30, and it has less than a quarter of the recommended additives that major vehicle manufacturers suggest.
Liberty Gold claims big on the label—protection against wear, sludge, and rust. But the PQIA found those claims to be pretty misleading.
Xpress Lube Pro Motor Oil
Wrapping up our not-so-glorious list, let’s talk about Xpress Lube Pro Motor Oil. In May 2019, this product earned itself a less-than-desirable shoutout from the PQIA with a consumer alert that pretty much says it all.
According to their tests, the organometallic additive levels in this oil are so off the mark that it’s deemed unsuitable for use in most automobile engines on the road today.
The label on this oil is another story of disappointment—it fails to meet the SAE Viscosity Grade it boasts, and to make matters worse, it’s packed with abrasive materials.
