Hi,

I am presently using Tesco's Semi Synthetic 10W-40 (RM54.90 to 69.90) presently in Civic 1.6 EXi (A) 1995 and am glad to report that the engine is running smoothly. Morning startups are smooth too. Very little oil burn as well. Able to extend mileage up to 8k km before oil change interval.

Overall, I feel that this oil is a bargain for the money despite what others say or fear about it. Of course I do not know what actually happens to the engine parts internally unless some mechanic takes it apart to verify its condition but since the engine is starting and running so smoothly, I am prepared to continue to use it.

Previously I have used Tesco's Mineral Grade 20W-50 (RM27.90 to 33.90) in Wira 1.5 (M) 1996 and report that morning startups appear to be not as smooth as compared to Tesco SS above perhaps due to thickness of oil affecting start up circulation. Once engine is warmed up, engine is smooth. Oil change interval is also less than that of Tesco's SS before engine seems to lose power and is less smooth. Best to stick to 5k km and below for oil change interval.

For this mineral grade, I feel that it is best for older vehicles and NOT for demanding drivers requiring high performance and extended oil change intervals. For the price, it may also serve as an engine flush if you wish it to - for a 500 or 1000 km drain interval. As for me, I will continue to use it within the limits described.

Overall Tesco branded stuff tends to sell at low prices and provide decent (not exceptional) performance for the little money. This comment does not relate to foodstuff as taste is highly subjective. I believe that Tesco can sell stuff at this rate due to global bulk purchase and distribution and no premium/cost is added in to pad up the branding, packaging, marketing and promotions.

To say that the product inside is "fake" or "recycled" seems to be off the edge. I have heard this from workshops and those who stick loyally to certain brands. Perhaps they cannot compete on the price and need to complain in this way.

So far, I have not seen or come across anything that confirms or strongly suggest that the product is recycled, fake, stolen or defective in some material way except remarks in passing.

As a matter of fact, the product is cheap and will appeal to those who are NOT brand conscious or demanding.

Dear jflcorp/forum-ners,

Established brands and makes of engine oil - and their dealers/retail outlet/spare parts shop and also mechanic workshops and service centres are making a killing from selling motor engine oil to us consumers especially Malaysia using the following or a combi of such :-

1. brand perception through advertising and sponsorship (hype);
2. quality claims and car make approvals;
3. fear mongering (engine burn or kaput).

In the USA, fully synthetic engine oils (0W and 5W) from "established" brands can be had for very little money (less than RM100) for a 4.7 Litre pack.

What are we paying here - for 4 Litre packs for fully and semi synthetics ?

There is some very serious profiteering going on and some authorised SC make it worse as they insist on 5k km service intervals for warranty purposes - regardless of what the car manual specifies.

Hence I see TESCO as making an attempt (albeit not very strong on advertising/consumer re-education) to offer products contrary to the market trend and consumer fears - ALL OF WHICH PROTECT DEALER'S INTERESTS.

I will continue to use TESCO engine oil products so long as the specifications (between SJ to SM - 5W-40, 10W-40, 20W-50) match or exceeds those required by my cars per car manual AND the price offers exceptional value in the Malaysian market.

Never mind the detractors - people can afford to burn money proving a point or wait for some car engine to burn in the meantime to prove the same.

The car manuals I have read so far do not state that one's car must use a specific brand or make of engine oil except that there is a temperature range for which particular oil specifications are more suited to or recommended.

So long as the API rating and oil specifications meet those stipulated by the car manual, that should suffice for normal motoring requirements.

Perhaps for the information and education of all, the MB and BMW model or any other car model and their car manual specifications should be revealed...to see if the API and oil specification of TESCO brand of engine oil can meet or exceed.

If the TESCO specifications are below those specified, then like any other engine oil - they should not be used....unless there are extreme circumstances or emergencies...where any oil is better than NIL.

---

Added on July 9, 2012, 5:17 pmTo date, I don't think anyone has shown the goods sold in TESCO to be fakes or recycled stuff.

Anyway why would TESCO invite legal action from authorities, brand owners or consumers for selling fakes or non-genuine stuff ? Is TESCO desperate for profits from the sales of engine oil segment ?

Overall, I am not taken in by the suggestion that the oils are fakes. One can believe otherwise - its up to you.

However, the formulation or the additive package may be different - TESCO ones may sport EU formulation.

To what extent EU formulation is applicable or useful in the tropics may be a subject of some discussion.

Other than differing engine requirements and stresses - EU weather will be different.

Some workshops say that EU formulation is not suitable for M'sian environment.

One wonders about the truth of that statement - when an engine is optimally heated up to normal operating levels - one wonders if the internal heat of the engine components in the EU would be any different to the internal heat of the same engine here in M'sia.

The cars in the EU still require radiators and coolants to "cool" the engine and maintain optimal temperatures inside notwithstanding the cold weather outside.

The temperature meters of the cars in the EU - would it be calibrated differently from those here of the same model car and engine capacity ?

Perhaps the difference would be the start up temperatures of an idle engine in the EU as compared with the start-up of the same engine here in M'sia.

This post has been edited by jcetham: Jul 9 2012, 05:17 PM

yeah...I have used it up to 10k km before changing it..engine still running smoothly and within the normal temperature....mind you, I don't drive like F1 racer or drift or drag....just going to work and going outstation within the legal limit....

Look out for promotions in TESCO for a even better buy and mileage.....

I am not a paid supporter/agent for TESCO....and if they start marking up their prices...I might look for alternatives again....

To say no to established brand makes and their premium prices....one may have to overcome fear and go for less premium brands which offer value.....otherwise, keep paying for branded stuff.