Originally Posted By: FrankN4
Originally Posted By: Peter_Pan
As long as it meets GF-4 it qualifies for the Starburst.
Not necessairily. MaxLife, for example, meets or exceeds all protection requirements of ILSAC GF-4, but because it has an HTHS of 3.5 it cannot display the energy conserving starburst.
This is straight from API's Enginle Oil Licensing and Certification System:
Quote:
The ILSAC GF-4 minimum performance standard for passenger car motor oils (see Appendix Q, paragraph Q.4) provides the current basis for issuance of a license to use the API Certification Mark. (See 2.4 for a list of viscosity grades eligible to obtain a license to use the API Certification Mark.). Licensing of ILSAC GF-4 as the only ILSAC gasoline engine oil minimum performance standard is planned through July 2009. If warranted, this date may change upon agreement by API and ILSAC (e.g., due to new or unanticipated performance requirements).
Maybe I'm wrong, but based on what it reads it appears you need to meet GF-4 to get the starburst (a.k.a API Certification Mark). There is no two tiered provision. You either meet it and get the starburst or you do not. Maxlife claims to meet or exceed GF-4 protection, but has no license to back it up (confirmed by API's license look up site where it does not list Maxlife under Valvoline products with GF-4 certification).
Not that it matters anyways as I think Maxlife is one of the best PCMO's out there...