The Verification of Lubricant Specifications began an investigation and issued a warning regarding engine oils that claim to meet the Stellantis FPW 9.55535/03 specification. The standard applies to several vehicle brands under the Stellantis group, including Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Fiat, Vauxhall and Opel.
The organization said the technology needed to meet the specification is not yet widely available in the general market. Industry sources have raised concerns that some lubricant makers may be asserting compliance without the involvement of the relevant additive supplier or the necessary technical data to confirm that their formulations achieve the required performance standards.
The specification was introduced in June 2023 and updated in June 2024. Four products have received approval under the 2023 version and have until June 2026 to gain reapproval under the 2024 revision. “However, our research has identified more than twenty other brands that are making product claims against this specification,” said VLS Chairman Darren Frogson in a press release.
VLS urged lubricant blenders to maintain complete technical documentation demonstrating compliance with the Stellantis specification. Such documentation, typically in the form of performance test data, should be available on request to workshops, garages and mechanics to help ensure consumer confidence in lubricant quality.
“This matter is not just one of ‘technicality.’ It really matters,” Frogson said. “Using oils that fail to meet the requirements of the intended specifications can cause accelerated wear to engines, reduce the effectiveness of emission control systems, invalidate warranties and ultimately result in long-term engine damage. Lubricant marketers and distributors need to be acutely aware of the risks associated with supplying products that fail to meet the required standard.”
Frogson added that maintaining public trust in lubricant products is essential, noting that VLS’s decision to issue a market caution reflects serious concern about the number of unverified claims. The board, he said, intends to carry out a comprehensive review to determine whether such claims are substantiated.
Alan Outhwaite, chairman of the VLS Technical Review Panel, said the organization’s review process is impartial and transparent. “As part of our investigation, we will be writing to all brand owners and blenders of products identified as making this claim seeking assurance they can meet the specification and that the claim is supported by their technology provider and demonstrating full technical data to underpin the claim,” he said. If the review finds that any products are noncompliant, the results will be published on the VLS website and the products may be referred to Trading Standards for further action.