The GC supply where I live has gone down to nil. I bought the last 4 quarts I could find (we have two Autozones in the town where I live).
So I decided to email Castrol about this sad state and their reply is below (it may or may not be of interest to the group):
BEGIN QUOTE:
Thank you for contacting Castrol North America.
You can rest assured that Castrol SYNTEC 0w-30 available in North
America, is the exact same product as Castrol SYNTEC 0w-30 manufactured
in Germany.
Thank you again for your interest in Castrol, The Technology Leader!
Consumer Relations
Castrol North America
The North American Castrol SYNTEC SAE 0W-30 offers the same performance
as the German SYNTEC 0W-30. Performance attributes are clearly
demonstrated in the performance ratings and OEM approvals indicated for
each of our individual product offerings.
Castrol produces and utilize formulas from various sources, including
North America and Europe depending on the product, performance and
component sourcing. Products may vary in raw materials as a result of
the regional production facility. However, the end performance met
whether API or ACEA, is still the same. Formulations meeting European
standards can be sourced from the US or Europe. It all comes down the
most efficient way to supply the product to market taking into
consideration development and supply chain logistics. The performance
specifications on the bottle may read differently as American Standard
testing varies from European testing.
Formulations meeting European standards can be sourced from the US or
Europe. It all comes down the most efficient way to supply the product
to market taking into consideration development and supply chain
logistics.
The decision for 0W-30 to be sourced from Germany is based upon the most
efficient supply logistics.
Castrol SYNTEC SAE 0W-30 exceeds all car and light truck manufacturer's
warranty requirements for the protection of gasoline, diesel and
turbocharged engines where API SL, SJ, SH, CF or CD is recommended.
Exceeds European ACEA: A3, B3, B4; VW 502 00, 505 00, 503 01; MB 229.1,
229.3; BMW LL-01 and the engine protection requirements of ILSAC GF-3
for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils and meets Energy Conserving
Standards.
There are many forums on the internet and these are often the result of
seemingly knowledgeable persons offering so called "expert information"
to those that aren't. Performance attributes are clearly demonstrated
in the performance ratings and OEM approvals indicated for each of our
individual product offerings.
Castrol Syntec 0W-30 offers the same performance, whether it is
manufactured in Germany or not.
Castrol Consumer Relations
END QUOTE
So I decided to email Castrol about this sad state and their reply is below (it may or may not be of interest to the group):
BEGIN QUOTE:
Thank you for contacting Castrol North America.
You can rest assured that Castrol SYNTEC 0w-30 available in North
America, is the exact same product as Castrol SYNTEC 0w-30 manufactured
in Germany.
Thank you again for your interest in Castrol, The Technology Leader!
Consumer Relations
Castrol North America
The North American Castrol SYNTEC SAE 0W-30 offers the same performance
as the German SYNTEC 0W-30. Performance attributes are clearly
demonstrated in the performance ratings and OEM approvals indicated for
each of our individual product offerings.
Castrol produces and utilize formulas from various sources, including
North America and Europe depending on the product, performance and
component sourcing. Products may vary in raw materials as a result of
the regional production facility. However, the end performance met
whether API or ACEA, is still the same. Formulations meeting European
standards can be sourced from the US or Europe. It all comes down the
most efficient way to supply the product to market taking into
consideration development and supply chain logistics. The performance
specifications on the bottle may read differently as American Standard
testing varies from European testing.
Formulations meeting European standards can be sourced from the US or
Europe. It all comes down the most efficient way to supply the product
to market taking into consideration development and supply chain
logistics.
The decision for 0W-30 to be sourced from Germany is based upon the most
efficient supply logistics.
Castrol SYNTEC SAE 0W-30 exceeds all car and light truck manufacturer's
warranty requirements for the protection of gasoline, diesel and
turbocharged engines where API SL, SJ, SH, CF or CD is recommended.
Exceeds European ACEA: A3, B3, B4; VW 502 00, 505 00, 503 01; MB 229.1,
229.3; BMW LL-01 and the engine protection requirements of ILSAC GF-3
for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils and meets Energy Conserving
Standards.
There are many forums on the internet and these are often the result of
seemingly knowledgeable persons offering so called "expert information"
to those that aren't. Performance attributes are clearly demonstrated
in the performance ratings and OEM approvals indicated for each of our
individual product offerings.
Castrol Syntec 0W-30 offers the same performance, whether it is
manufactured in Germany or not.
Castrol Consumer Relations
END QUOTE