CarCareTruth Score
Decent, but it's tough on the environment.
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Prices may varyHealth score is for adult use as intended, per the manufacturer's SDS. It does not model child ingestion, accidental spill cleanup, or off-label use. See the safety panel below for full hazard classification, and /disclaimer for the full editorial scope.
GHS hazard codes are quoted from the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet. PPE tiers below translate those codes and the listed ingredient chemistry; they are not CarCareTruth recommendations.
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Only when: splash risk
Translated from the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, Section 8
SDS §2 classifies the mixture as Eye Irrit. 2, H319 (Cat 2 eye irritation). The pour is above-waist from a small bottle; splash risk is low but present during the pour step. H319 at the mixture level warrants eye protection.
U.S. regulatory standard
29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1)
“The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from… liquid chemicals…”
ANSI Z87.1 (incorporated via §1910.6)
OSHA standards apply to workplaces. Cited here as the U.S. reference threshold for the underlying hazard class.
CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.
Only when: splash risk
Translated from the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, Section 8
SDS §2 lists no H315 skin irritation code at the mixture level. The paraffin oil carrier at <15% concentration in an ester base is standard petroleum-derived chemistry. Brief drip contact during the pour is the realistic skin-contact scenario.
CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.
Only when: in enclosed space
Beyond SDS: translated from the ingredient chemistry
SDS §2 lists no inhalation H-codes at the mixture level (no H335, H336, H331, H330, H334). Lungs set to situational/enclosed_space as the minimum floor for fluid concentrate products per rubric guidance.
CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.
No PPE specified in published sources for ventilation. Absence does not imply “not needed” — consult the full Safety Data Sheet.
PPE tiers translate the manufacturer’s SDS and U.S. regulatory standards. Not professional safety advice. How we report safety.
Scope of these PPE tiers. The tiers on this page translate the product's Safety Data Sheet where one is published, plus its ingredient chemistry, into a comparable rating. They describe a formulation, not a situation: a tier is not a safety determination for any specific user, task, quantity, or environment. The manufacturer's label and use instructions govern how the product is handled. Where the product is used at work, the employer's PPE program and hazard assessment under 29 CFR 1910.132 decide what protection is selected, not this page.
No warranties. CarCareTruth makes no warranties, express or implied, and expressly disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
This product ranks #2 of 6 in Oil Additive.
Last reviewed July 11, 2026
TL;DR AR9100 uses a phosphorus-free boron-compound (nanoborate) friction modifier, identified from Archoil's technical data sheet since SDS Section 3 discloses only paraffin oil under 15%. Tribology literature backs the chemistry class and community forums track consistent results, but no independent lab test exists for this product.
AR9100 delivers a boron-compound friction modifier in a fatty acid ester carrier that forms a protective film on metal surfaces under load. Unlike ZDDP additives, the phosphorus-free formula does not raise API SP concerns. Archoil cites brand-commissioned ASTM wear-scar data with the testing lab undisclosed; the strongest evidence is community sourced, with Bob Is The Oil Guy threads showing Blackstone boron and potassium elevation and Powerstroke forums documenting repeated HEUI stiction resolution.
Best for owners of Ford 6.0L and 7.3L Powerstroke diesel trucks with HEUI injector stiction, where the full-bottle initial dose has the strongest documented results. Also reasonable for any engine owner wanting a phosphorus-free modifier compatible with a catalytic-converter-equipped vehicle. Skip it if you want independently verified, neutral-party lab data; that evidence is not published. Major OEMs do not endorse aftermarket additives; check your owner's manual if the vehicle is under warranty.
The SDS carries signal word Warning, with H319 (eye irritation) the only classified hazard at the mixture level; eye protection is warranted during the pour. The product listing carries a Prop 65 warning tied to the paraffin oil component; the 2016 EU-format SDS itself does not reference it. Used oil containing this additive goes to a collection facility, never a drain.
Yes. AR9100 uses a boron-compound friction modifier with no phosphorus content, which means it does not contribute to catalytic converter poisoning. The brand's TDS explicitly notes the formula benefits modern engine oils where zinc levels have been reduced to prevent catalyst issues. Unlike ZDDP-based additives, AR9100 does not raise oil phosphorus levels and is compatible with API SP specification oils.
Engine oil, limited-slip differentials, and motorcycles: 1.2 oz per quart of oil. For a standard 5-quart engine fill, that is approximately 6 oz per oil change, or roughly 2-3 maintenance doses per 16-oz bottle. Gear oil, hydraulic oil, and power steering fluid: 3.2 oz per quart. For the Ford 6.0L or 7.3L Powerstroke HEUI stiction treatment, use the full 16-oz bottle as the initial dose (these engines hold 13-16 quarts of oil).
The 6.0L and 7.3L Powerstroke use hydraulically actuated electronically controlled injectors (HEUI) that depend on engine oil pressure for activation. Over time, varnish and deposit buildup ('stiction') causes injectors to stick, leading to cold-start misfires, rough idle, and sluggish response. AR9100's boron-compound active is intended to reduce friction and clean internal injector surfaces. Community evidence across powerstroke.org and Bob Is The Oil Guy shows multiple documented cases of stiction resolution with the full-bottle initial treatment.
Yes. Oil analysis from Blackstone Laboratories and similar services shows elevated boron and potassium levels in oil that contains AR9100. This is expected and normal; the boron and potassium signatures are markers of the nanoborate chemistry being present and active in the oil. These elevated readings should not be flagged as engine wear concerns when AR9100 is in use.
Yes. The product is marketed for all diesel and gasoline engines. The best-documented use case is the Ford 6.0L/7.3L Powerstroke diesel for HEUI stiction, but community evidence from Bob Is The Oil Guy also covers positive results in gasoline engines, reporting quieter operation and favorable oil-analysis results. There are no documented contraindications for gasoline engines.
Yes. The product listing carries a California Proposition 65 warning. The SDS discloses paraffin oil (CAS 8012-95-1) as a component at less than 15%; certain mineral oil fractions carry Prop 65 listings for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in non-severely-hydrotreated grades. The warning reflects California's disclosure requirement and does not alter the SDS §2 hazard classification, which lists only H319 (eye irritation) at the mixture level.
Marketing copy from Archoil, via Amazon. Not editorial.
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