Autozone German Castrol
Autozone German Castrol For the past 2 oil changes the German Castrol bottles have always said "Made in Germany" at the back. Recently, I see a new label on the bottle so I decide to check out the back. The barcode still remains the same but it no longer says "Made in Germany". Also, the oil ratings or whatever those acronyms in the back are called are different.
Is it still GC? or is it a different product?
Is it still GC? or is it a different product?
Not sure with other autozones but to my knowledge this one fills their racks from the front, so I'm assuming this is the new bottle.
Tech Resident
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Philly
By law, products have to say where they are made. It has to say "MADE IN _____." Ashish, are you saying the bottle doesn't say where the product was made in at all? Does it say where it was imported to? I believe GC 0W-30 is imported to Wayne, NJ. If it's Castrol Syntec 0W-30 at Autozone, it PROBABLY is made in Germany, but my point is there has to be a logo on there by Federal Law. Search harder for the logo. Maybe they moved it. Check under the bottle, all along the sides, etc...The "Made in ________" logo is basically printed onto the bottle so it can't be peeled off like a sticker. You'd need acetone or sandpaper or something to get it off.
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They're not the same. The German Castrol is made from a different base stock. I think it's something you'll stop seeing here. I just started having an intermittent lifter tap after about 3000 miles on GC. I may switch back to Supertech synthetic 5/30 and see what happens.
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Tech Resident
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,117
Likes: 3
From: Philly
This practice is illegal in Germany. Made in Germany Castrol Syntec CANNOT be made this way. German government prohibits Group III oils from being called fully synthetic because, well, they aren't fully synthetic. GC 0W-30 is a Group IV synthetic - a TRUE synthetic - while American 0W-30 is a Group III synthetic - not fully synthetic, but marketed as fully synthetic thanks to loopholes.
Tech Resident
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,117
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From: Philly
Mobil 1 changed their stuff. Once companies started selling the Group III stuff as fully synthetic, Mobil 1 jumped on the bandwagon. That's why their 30 weights are such junk now. Their 40 weights may still be a group IV. It's unknown at this time, but all evidence leads to Mobil 1 being reformulated as a Group III phony full synthetic.
As if the oil companies aren't ripping us off enough they lie about the oil base.
I'm so happy. I recently moved and the Autozone by me has the European formula. It says it in big letters on the front. Can't miss that. On the back it says Made in Germany.
I'm so happy. I recently moved and the Autozone by me has the European formula. It says it in big letters on the front. Can't miss that. On the back it says Made in Germany.
Tech Resident
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,117
Likes: 3
From: Philly
Again, all evidence available shows that Mobil 1 is NOT a Group IV synthetic anymore. They changed along with everyone else when one specific oil company won the case where they were sued for putting "fully synthetic" on a Group III. Courts ruled in their favor, so since they could get away with it, Mobil 1 switched over, too. Group III's are cheaper to make, so why not convert to the lower quality stuff if you can advertise them as the same? The public is ignorant.
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2006
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Correct. In fact it was Mobil who sued Castrol for claiming Syntech was a full synthetic, when it was being made with highly refined group III base stock. In 1999 Mobil lost their suit. Court (or arbitrators) decided "synthetic" was a marketing term. Long story short, Castrol and most manufacturers are still group III. (European Union does not allow this, thus the German Castrol). M1 is still made with group IV polyalphaolefin stock , so it looks like it is still group IV, but to what extent, we may never know. I'm still using it with great success, and will continue to do so. There are other great oils out there though.
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 125
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I think people worry way too much about it. Change it every three thousand miles and enjoy your car. All oils have to pass standard tests to meet industry standards, so even if you use conventional oil you'll be fine.