BP’s Castrol Aviator monogrades are competent products and a good value, but we can’t make a strong argument to switch from another oil.

By Paul Bertorelli

When an engine tanks prematurely, the recriminations begin. Did the shop screw up the overhaul? Was it bad cylinders? Or could it have been the oil you used? Yeah, maybe that’s it…if only you’d used Exxon Elite instead of Aeroshell, you wouldn’t be looking at a mid-time overhaul.

This is the sort of fear, uncertainty and doubt that advertising is meant to mine. And the copywriters are good at it. Elite, for instance, is touted as offering a two-fold increase in rust protection over the nearest competitor. Aeroshell’s popular 15W50 "helps engines start faster and eliminates need for seasonal oil changes." BP is marketing Castrol’s aviation oil and not just claiming…