Dura lube
Encyclopedia
The Dura Lube Corporation was formed in 1986, originally concentrating on producing engine
treatment products for truck
s. It later extended its product line
to include cars.http://www.duralube.com/aboutUs.aspx
s that made certain claims about its effectiveness as a lubricant, even going so far as to demonstrating that their products can protect engines with the oil drained. The company was investigated by the Federal Trade Commission
in 1999-2000 and was found to have no competent or reliable evidence substantiating these claims about its performance.
The FTC action that followed on May 5, 2000 forbade the company from making claims about its products that were not backed up by competent and reliable evidence. Some of the claims that were forbidden by the FTC: That the product reduced engine wear, that it prolonged engine life, that it improved gas mileage, that it reduces emissions, that it protects the engine when oil pressure is lost, and that tests prove any of these claims. The Dura Lube Corporation was fined 2 million USD and forced to notify distributors of the FTC action and was also forced to relabel all of the product subsequently offered for sale.
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
treatment products for truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
s. It later extended its product line
Product lining
Product lining is the marketing strategy of offering for sale several related products. Unlike product bundling, where several products are combined into one, lining involves offering several related products individually. A line can comprise related products of various sizes, types, colors,...
to include cars.http://www.duralube.com/aboutUs.aspx
Controversy
Dura Lube was heavily marketed in the 1990s via television infomercialInfomercial
Infomercials are direct response television commercials which generally include a phone number or website. There are long-form infomercials, which are typically between 15 and 30 minutes in length, and short-form infomercials, which are typically 30 seconds to 120 seconds in length. Infomercials...
s that made certain claims about its effectiveness as a lubricant, even going so far as to demonstrating that their products can protect engines with the oil drained. The company was investigated by the Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act...
in 1999-2000 and was found to have no competent or reliable evidence substantiating these claims about its performance.
The FTC action that followed on May 5, 2000 forbade the company from making claims about its products that were not backed up by competent and reliable evidence. Some of the claims that were forbidden by the FTC: That the product reduced engine wear, that it prolonged engine life, that it improved gas mileage, that it reduces emissions, that it protects the engine when oil pressure is lost, and that tests prove any of these claims. The Dura Lube Corporation was fined 2 million USD and forced to notify distributors of the FTC action and was also forced to relabel all of the product subsequently offered for sale.