OIL CITY, Pa. -- The Quaker State Oil Refining Corp. said Wednesday it was recalling two types of motor oil which have become thick and sluggish at cold temperatures.
Company president Quentin Wood said the 'scope of the problem ... involves just the northern tier of the country.'
A company spokesman said all of the two oils -- Quaker State Deluxe 10W-40 and Quaker State Super Blend 10W-30 -- shipped from its refineries at St. Marys, W.Va., Congo, W.Va., and Farmers Valley, Pa., between Nov. 13 and Dec. 23 was being 'pulled from the market until it can be tested.'
'We think most of this oil is still in inventory at distributors,' the spokesman said, adding that notices were sent to the distributors identifying the oils involved.
The spokesman emphasized the recall was 'not nationwide.'
According to the spokesman, an additive received by Quaker State was 'not up to standard when received.'
The additive, called 'pour-point depressant,' allows the oil to flow at extremely cold temperatures.
The spokesman said complaints from customers surfaced after Christmas and have totaled 'less than 50.'
The first report that the oils were deficient in cold weather performance apparently came from the Speedee Lube Oil Shops in Omaha, Neb.
The complaints, which included damage to two auto engines, came chiefly from the Sioux Falls, S.D., and Green Bay, Wis., areas, the company spokesman said.
