Is API Certification required for vehicle warranty?
NO. In Amsoil’s words: “Another common misconception is that motor oils must be API certified in order to meet warranty requirements. The fact is, lubricants are not required to be certified by the API, only meet or exceed API specifications.” Owners manuals sometimes recommend an API Certified or API licensed oil, but they only require use of an oil that meets the proper API (SAE) Service Grade requirements. However, people with less than stellar reading comprehension are quick to conclude that an API “starburst” certification is required. And that is what the API, the oil companies, and the vehicle OEM”s want people to believe. Just this week we saw someone on a forum saying that a Ford dealer denied a warranty claim because of using a non-API-licensed synthetic oil. No. Verbally telling a customer that doesn’t deny warranty coverage – it just tests the customer to see if they are a patsy, or if they know warranties must be denied in writing.
