NEWARK – The New Jersey Office of Weights and Measures today added “U.S. Economy SAE 10-30” motor oil to the list of motor oil products banned in New Jersey due to findings that the products’ viscosity does not match the viscosity specified on the label.
U.S. Economy SAE 10-30 is now one of four motor oils bearing the “U.S. Economy” brand, and a total of 19 motor oil products of various brands, that may no longer be sold in New Jersey, pursuant to a Stop-Use and Removal Order issued by the State Office of Weights and Measures.
Also today, based on further review of data from a State-contracted lab, the Office of Weights and Measures has lifted the ban on one motor oil product, specifically “MaxiGuard MG SAE-30.” This product is no longer subject to a Stop-Use and Removal Order, and may be sold in New Jersey.
However, three other motor oils with the “MaxiGuard MG” label – specifically MaxiGuard MG 10-30, MaxiGuard MG 10-40, and MaxiGuard MG 20-50 – remain banned and are not to be sold in New Jersey.
“We continue to monitor the marketplace for motor oils that are mislabeled and therefore expose car owners to the risk of excess engine wear and even premature engine failure,” Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said.
Retail establishments that sell any of the banned motor oil products will be subject to a civil penalty of at least $100 per package or container.
The State Office of Weights and Measures, within the State Division of Consumer Affairs, banned these products after tests by a State-contracted lab revealed they failed to conform to the viscosity grade on the product label. For example, motor oils labeled 10W-40 had viscosity measures that were widely and unacceptably at variance with the universally defined characteristics of 10W-40 motor oil. The products therefore allegedly bear misleading labels that do not inform consumers about their appropriateness for specific motor vehicle engines.
The use of a motor oil with viscosity levels that are either too high or too low for a vehicle’s engine specifications may result in the risk of engine failure, excess engine wear, and/or decreased fuel efficiency.
An updated list of all 19 banned motor oil products, with photos, can be found at the State Office of Weights and Measures website.
The banned products are:
Auto Club Motor Oil SAE 5W-30 Auto Club Motor Oil SAE 10W-30 Auto Club Motor Oil SAE 10W-40 Auto Club Motor Oil SAE 20W-50 Black Knight Motor Oil 5-30 Black Knight Motor Oil 10-40 LubeState Motor Oil SAE 10W-30 MaxiGuard MG 10-30 MaxiGuard MG 10-40 MaxiGuard MG 20-50 Orbit Motor Oil 5-20 Orbit Motor Oil 10-40 TruStar Motor Oil 10-30 U.S. Economy Motor Oil 5-30 U.S. Economy Motor Oil 10-40 U.S. Economy Motor Oil SAE 10-30 U.S. Economy Motor Oil SAE 10W-40 U.S. Spirit Motor Oil SAE 10W-30 U.S. Spirit Motor Oil SAE 10W-40.
Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.