Congress in 1975 enacted the federal Magnuson-Moss Act to regulate
written consumer product warranties.* An examination of the law reveals warranties remain intact when Synthetic Lubricants are used.

Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act and general principles of the Federal Trade Commission, a manufacturer may not make its vehicle warranty conditional on the use of any specific brand of motor oil, oil filter or any other component, unless the manufacturer provides it to the customer free of charge. An equipment manufacturer can obtain a waiver if it > proves to the FTC that its equipment will function properly only if specific brands of motor oil, oil filters or other components are used. The FTC must be satisfied that this is in the public interest, and this waiver must be published in the Federal Register. This is considered a "waiver" of the prohibitions on conditions of written warranty.

If an OEM requires a customer to use its motor oil and oil filters, the customer should demand the products free of charge. If the demand is refused, the customer should ask for a copy of the warrantor's approved FTC waiver. You should also be aware that you may have additional rights under applicable state warranty laws, which can vary from state to state.

Among those provisions, FTC regulations state:* ³(c) No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer¹s using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this subsection may be waived by the Commission if * (1) the warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and (2) the commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest.²* (42 U.S.C. 2302 (C))

Access to the complete Magnuson-Moss Act is available on the internet
by the key words ³Magnuson-Moss Act² or ³Federal Trade Commission²

Bottom line is that you can use whatever brand oil you want in your truck and Ford or any other manuyfacturer cannot say that it is not covered under warranty, whether it is in their manual or not - Unless they are providing it free of charge OR they have a waiver from the FTC on file. Ask to see the FTC and I promise no one can produce one.

 

Since there are many brands of oils available that are API Certified (not just a specific brand), and meet vehicle manufacturer's requirements, a manufacturer CAN VOID a vehicle warranty for using a Scamsoil product which IS NOT API Certified!!!

While we are "cutting and pasting", here is a portion of the fine print in Scamsoil's warranty from their website. Since they are explicit in this, who would want to pay an inflated price for a product, and risk the hassle of loosing their vehicle manufacturer's warranty??????

e. In cases where the OEM warranty is still in effect and that warranty coverage is denied based on the use of an AMSOIL lubricant, the customer shall immediately notify AMSOIL INC. and provide a written copy of the OEM warranty denial.

f. AMSOIL INC. may, at its option, notify its insurance carrier of the claim.

g. AMSOIL INC. or its insurance carrier may conduct an investigation that includes, but is not limited to, an inspection of the failed parts, a review of the operating conditions, and a thorough review of the information requested above. The customer agrees to cooperate with such investigation.

h. If AMSOIL INC. or its insurance carrier pays a claim, an attempt may be made to recover amounts paid from the OEM. If this occurs, the customer may be asked to provide further information pertaining to the failure and to cooperate with AMSOIL INC. or its insurer in the recovery process.

 

if you have warranty remaining on your truck I say stay away from Amsoil, not that they make bad oils ( they actually make really good lubricants ) but you'll be in the centre of fight , ford will say that they voided waranty , amsoil is going to say to they can't do this , and you'll be left wandering what to do , not worth the hassle , you can get API certified oils that are just as good , and avoid future problems since in court everything is about money , if you have lot's ( I don't ) you can prove anything. but that takes years . Look even castrol proved that grIII based oils are synthetics , when everybody knows that they not

 

Magnusson-Moss prevents the requirement having to use the mfrs' brand of oil, however you MUST use an oil that meets the manufacturers specifications. If this were not so, you could use straight 10 wt in your Powerstroke and Ford could not deny you warranty. Does that make sense? Obviously not. The Ford manual is clear and specific, its says the oil must be API rated. That's a specification, not a brand.
Quite frankly, I want to deal with Ford, not Amsoil on warranty issues. KISS principle in effect.

I use Mobil Delvac 1 Synthetic. Great stuff, pricey, hard to get. About a 1 mpg jump over dino. The real issue in lubrication on the Powerstroke in my view is not the engine, I think any good diesel oil will do. The top lubrication priority is the turbine shaft. On this part, synthetic is always superior, and Mobil /Exxon have been at the top of the pack in lubricating jet engines which have a really a big turbine shaft. Look on the cowling of any jet and you'll see MobilJetII or Exxon2380 placard. Obviously jets and diesels are two different things, but jets and turbos are very similar. Shaft coking and heating is a particular problem to both. The experience Mobil has in synthetic turbine lubricantion is second to none, so I go with their products and experience and have been very satisfied.

I might also mention that with 5W-40, the cold starts are unstrained. I have to leave my Powerstroke in the parking lot for 4-5 days with no plug-in during severe winter weather.

 

DALPILOT is correct, M-M only protects you from having to buy parts exclusively from the manufacturer, but they maintain the right to set the standard. In this case, the standard is API certification.

M-M is often misquoted by aftermarket folks to sell their goods. Check out this link to see what the government actually has to say about M-M:

ON EDIT: the link doesn't seem to be posting properly. Connect the spaces:

http: //www. ftc. gov/ bcp/ conline/ pubs/ buspubs/ warranty.htm

 

HDMustF250
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You had an opportunity to answer these questions,
Please..we're waiting


A. If you're going to make accusations about hate mail, back it up with the admins.

B. What is your relationship with Amsoil? Are you a dealer or "preferred customer"?

 

Well after all this is said and done I ordered up two cases of Mobil 1 Delvac 5-40 synthetic for the next oil change on my truck. I got it from Thunderbird Lubrication for $88.00 for the 4-1gallon case. They are based in Arlington and Spokane, WA. if anyone is interested. No I do not work for them I am a customer of thiers who buys from them to supply my business.