Motor Up

[Lomaikai]

Heard very different comments on Motor Up. Some swear by it, some just felt its a con-job. So anyone has any opinion?

 

Got this Press Release in my email from US Federal Trade Commission - like macham Spore CASE. Impt notes highlighted in bold.

 

Claims That "Motor Up" Oil Additive Reduces Engine Wear By 50% Were Unsubstantiated

 

In an ongoing campaign targeting ads that tout motor oil additives with deceptive claims that they reduce engine wear or extend engine life compared to motor oil alone, the FTC has charged the seller of Motor Up Engine Treatment with making unsubstantiated and deceptive advertising claims, in violation of federal laws. Motor Up Corporation and its principal, Kyle Burns, face an administrative trial.

 

In addition to issuing the complaint, the Commission forwarded a recommendation that the Department of Justice file a civil penalty complaint against National Media Corporation, the firm that produced and placed the Motor Up infomercials, for alleged violations of a 1993 Commission order arising from allegations of deceptive infomercial advertising for other products. The FTC recommended that the Department file a proposed consent decree that would provide for an injunction against future order violations and a civil penalty of $100,000. National Media is now called e4L.

 

The FTC has previously halted allegedly deceptive ads for Valvoline Engine Treatment, Slick 50 Engine Treatment and STP Engine Treatment.

 

According to the FTC, labeling, packaging, Internet Website ads and other ads -- including infomercials prepared and placed by National Media Corporation for Motor Up -- carried claims such as:

 

"Compared to a leading motor oil, Motor Up has eleven times the anti-wear agents;"

 

". . .seventy times more extreme pressure agents which dramatically reduce wear and tear under severe conditions"; and

 

"We wanted scientific proof that Motor Up reduces wear and tear on your engine by up to fifty percent . . . "

 

Demonstrations proved that Motor Up prevents corrosion in engines, reduces engine wear and helps prevent engine breakdowns.

 

The agency alleges that the ads represent that, compared to motor oil alone, Motor Up reduces engine wear as much as 50 percent; reduces adhesive engine wear by up to 90.17 percent; reduces engine wear during cold starts; extends engine life and helps prevent engine breakdowns.

 

The ads also represent that Motor Up prevents corrosion; won't drain out of the engine, even when the oil is changed; protects engines for up to 50,000 miles; and protects against wear even without motor oil, according to the complaint.

 

The FTC alleges that the companies did not possess or rely on competent evidence to substantiate the claims, and therefore the claims are deceptive. In addition, the infomercial demonstrations that were used to "prove" Motor Up reduces engine wear, prevents corrosion and helps prevent engine breakdowns, do not "prove, demonstrate or confirm" those claims, the FTC alleges, and the claims are false. Finally, claims that "tests prove" that compared to motor oil alone, Motor Up reduces engine wear by up to 50 percent are false, the FTC alleges.

 

In an administrative trial, the FTC will seek to bar Motor Up Corporation, Inc., Motor Up America, Inc., and Kyle Burns from making unsubstantiated claims about the performance, benefits, efficacy, attributes or use of Motor Up or any other product for use in a motor vehicle and specific claims made in the past for Motor Up. In addition, it will seek to prohibit misrepresentations about the existence, contents, validity, results, conclusions or interpretation of any test or study in connection with the marketing of any product for use in a motor vehicle. Finally, it will seek to prohibit misrepresentations that demonstrations, experiments, illustrations or tests prove the superiority or comparability of a product.

[Sky8807]

Hi lomaikai,

 

I used motor-up on my skoda fabia after the 1st oil changed at 1000km till now about 5100km. So far no ill effect and no complication. This is the second time I used this product, my previous elentra also used it also. What impressed me most was the cold starts properties and the very low friction internally. Watch the advert on increased hp and torque so give it a try.

Since using motor-up, have driven my fabia to Malacca, Bukit Tinggi, Genting Highland. Push the engine hard up the hill and verify top speed (163 km/hr) in the N-S highway and no problem with engine. After the trip check for engine sound especially tappet sound, so far so good. Normally after continious high rpm running the tappet may wear a little and the sound get a little louder than usual. Fuel consumption also improved slightly, but cannot confirmed it is due to the product. I'm not referring to long distance driving, but local context. In fact, while revving up the 2 mountainous slope using 2nd and 3rd gear at 3500 to 4500 rpm, engine sound smooth and refined with windows down and aircon off. Don't know whether is the engine design itself or the motor-up in the oil.

In US there is always suing cases. Of course advertising tends to eloborate the product, sometimes over doing it. As far as I'm concerned, no harm trying, you can sue the company, if the engine was damage by the product, but I doubt so.

[Fabiaman]

Sky8807 ,

 

Tks for that comments. Yes, heard you mention abt this additive sometime back. I am still wondering if it might help the trembling nature of the Fabia. How much is it and where can I get it besides Autobacs.

 

Saw it selling at Giant/ACE at JB but could not remember how much they are retailing for. Oh yes, BTW, did you check with JTA if that will void the warranty since I was told changing the plugs to Denso Iridium will void warranty. If changing to Denso will void warranty, anything else can boy!

[Lomaikai]

Tks Sky8807 for sharing your experience. I understand in the US, there are numerous snake oils that are very cleverly marketed by the manufacturers. I think if there is a breakdown of the cost of the oils to the makers, the bulk of it goes to marketing & advertising whereas the cost of research and manufacturing I guess is low.

[Sky8807]

Can't remember how much, I bought it as a package with engine flush I think, cost me all in about $50 at ACE Novena Shopping. The Motor-up itself if I'm not wrong abt $34.

Regarding help the trembling nature, maybe a bit, not sure, mine not serious. I have noticed only with air-con off did i feel it, with air-con on normal. Istill suspect if nothing wrong with the engine, the ignition timing play a part in the excessive tremble.

 

As for warranty, don't bother, it's only oil and additive, as for spark plugs if the heat range suit, i also don't bother. Anyway, the agent also get these commodities from other manufacturer as well.

 

Technicaly these items will in no way damage of cause the engine to fail. Not easy to detect as well except for the plugs which u can put back original shd u want warranty.

[Turbobrick]

Talking about warranty issues, I think many agents here are full of BS. In the US and Europe warranty can only be void if they prove that the aftermarket product is directly linked to the fault or failure of the car.

 

In the US the association SEMA takes care of aftermarket products and consumers who use them. When it comes to cars in Singapore, LTA and dealers are full of crap. Car owners like us are still suffering

[Fabiaman]

Tks John (aka Sky8807) ,

 

Can't remember how much, I bought it as a package with engine flush I think, cost me all in about $50 at ACE Novena Shopping. The Motor-up itself if I'm not wrong abt $34.

 

Hey not expensive. I would not mind trying if its not detrimental to the well being of my loved one - ie. the Fabia. Anyone else here has any experience with this? Yeah, this ACE at JB also quite happening with at least 5 or 6 rows of prdts related to cars. As for prices, so so only lah. After conversion, most prdts are similarly priced versus Singapore prices. I used to buy Mobil 1, etc from there. Will start a new discussion on JB products later.

 

Regarding help the trembling nature, maybe a bit, not sure, mine not serious. I have noticed only with air-con off did i feel it, with air-con on normal. Istill suspect if nothing wrong with the engine, the ignition timing play a part in the excessive tremble.

 

Mine is serious. Yes, w/o air-con the tremble is more severe. [pirate]Not sure why. JTA is saying that Feb 2002, they will have some parts related to the gear box to rectify that fault. I welcome anyone who wants to check out my trembling car to witness that I am not slandering the car or JTA.

 

As for warranty, don't bother, it's only oil and additive, as for spark plugs if the heat range suit, i also don't bother. Anyway, the agent also get these commodities from other manufacturer as well. Technicaly these items will in no way damage of cause the engine to fail. Not easy to detect as well except for the plugs which u can put back original shd u want warranty.

 

That is the reason why I am puzzled that it might void the warranty. I am going down to JTA tomorrow for servicing and also repair my Nakamichi Head Unit whcih blacked out on me, will check with their warranty manager on that issue of spark plus & snake oils as well.

 

Rgds.

[Spinner]

Sceptical as ever with these claims made by those merchants. Somtimes you do not know why they are so good and yet car makers like VW or Toyota are not using them! Like the surbo, claim this and that. Heard he said the Civic can blow the WRX with surbo installed. If that is true, Honda should install these gadgets on all their cars! Something must be wrong somewhere?

 

[Sky8807]

There are many aftermarket products that claims this and that. First, I don't believe that all the claim are true, some maybe. For me, I will try the product myself first after hearing and watching commercials and see whether true or not. Many times cannot fully ascertain the claims are all true, but what is important to me is the product should not harm my car, that is important.

Car makers cannot give you all the best things all the time. As for the this car can blow that car with such and such a product, that is subjective. Many times is the driver that makes the different and not the product.

[Neilchua]

Hah, I use to love those car accessories advertisements on the TV Networks that did some amazing stunt on TV in front of "live" audience. Very entertaining! Things they do like setting the bonnet of the car on fire and juts wipe away the black soot residue like nothing has happened (selling car polish). Like draining the engine of all the oils and still run like nothing has happened (selling engine lubricants).

[Seven11]

My goodness, went to Carrefour last week and saw the lorry load of MotorUp that they are selling there! God alone knows how much more they have in the warehouse. Its incredible - this product got so high demand that Carrefour is stocking up so much meh? Any others hear any thing abt this MotorUp?

[Guyver]

Heard that there's some problem that Motor up is not doing what it claims.... anyone heard of it?

[Sky8807]

How much are they selling? If price is reasonable, might want to buy a bottle to standby.

 

I've used the products after 1000km servicing. Travelled 8k plus since then, no complain so far.

[Sky8807]

In the states always got this suing cases. The problems is more of advertising claims that is not proven to be true. Which adverts do not want to claims all the good stuff, sometimes over doing it.

 

As for the bad effect or damage incurred after using the products - nil.

[Seven11]

I have no idea how much they are selling. didnt check when I was there. Wow, you are even keen to buy a bottle to put on standby? So good meh? For me I rather spend the money on a solid solid engine oil like Mobil 1 or Castrol RS - that shld be sufficient for me. I have been tempted many times to buy some snake oils, but everytime dont dare in the end.

[Sky8807]

Nothing venture, nothing gain. I have tested the product and find it good. I also used syn oil.

Many claim castrol RS is good, but for me, I would not choose RS as one of the syn oil choice. No bad experience, except that I find they are not as superior as compared to the others.

[Seven11]

Tks for clarifying. Have you tried any other add ons besides this? I read your comments abt this oil in previous postings so shant ask you again what you feel about the add ons, unless you have some updates for us. BTW, how long is it supposed to last before you top up with the next bottle? Every oil change?

[Sky8807]

No problem.

I tried a couple of add-on in the past, conclusion is don't really need them, a good oil will do if u deduce and on the final analysis.

 

However, I still want to try them out even though the benefit is not easily established and seen personally. The product I tried so far was Nulon, JB brothers, STP, Reddex, tufoil, that all I can remember. Any product that claims how good it can do this or that and if I 'm convince by the advert , I'll try it.

 

My experience tell me it should last between 20K to 30k, that is 2 oil change interval. I normally change my oil and oil filter every 10K. Have been doing it for years w/o problem.