NCDA&CS issues stop-sale order on Everclear motor oils, automatic transmission fluid

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has issued a stop-sale order for three types of Everclear brand motor oil after the products failed tests for viscosity standards. Viscosity refers to the thickness of the oil offered for sale, and its ability to protect against engine wear.

The order applies to bottles of Everclear 5W30, 10W30 and 10W40 motor oil. The products are distributed by Everclear Oil in Austintown, Ohio. In addition to failing a viscosity test, the products are not labeled according to industry standards. Everclear Automatic Transmission Fluid also was pulled from sale for failure to meet any recognized specifications.

“Only one of 96 samples of these products passed our inspection,” said Stephen Benjamin, director of the NCDA&CS Standards Division. “We requested additional testing by Wear Check USA in Cary, and the results for both the oil and automatic transmission fluid showed that additives were either absent or not at the correct levels. This issue, along with the presence of wear metals, indicates these products are likely recycled in origin. Any of these results would put the products out of specification and cause them to be pulled from shelves.”

Retailers or distributors with this product in stock should return it to their suppliers. Inspectors with the Standards Division have already held 175 cases of product at distribution centers located in Greensboro and Charlotte. Consumers who have bottles of this motor oil should return it to the place of purchase.

Everclear was notified of the problems, but has yet to respond to NCDA&CS.