Comparative Motor Oil
Testing
API Motor Oil
Testing:
AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil (ATM) and 10 competing
conventional and synthetic 10W-30 motor oils were subjected to
a series of API motor oil tests. The competing oils included
petroleum-based Castrol GTX Drive Hard, Mobil Drive Clean,
Pennzoil with Purebase, Quaker State Peak Performance and
Valvoline, as well as synthetic-based Valvoline Synpower,
Quaker State, Castrol Syntec, Pennzoil and Mobil 1 SuperSyn
Multi-Vehicle.
Seven API tests
were run on the motor oils. The Thin-Film Oxygen Uptake Test
(TFOUT) measures the oxidation stability of engine oils. The
High Temperature/High Shear Test (HTHS) measures a lubricant’s
viscosity under severe operating conditions. The NOACK
Volatility Test measures the evaporation loss of oils in high
temperature service. Pour Point indicates the lowest
temperature at which a fluid will flow. Total Base Number (TBN)
is the measurement of a lubricant’s reserve alkalinity for
combating acids. The Cold Cranking Simulator Test (CCS)
measures a lubricant’s viscosity at low temperatures and high
shear rates. The Four-Ball Wear Test measures a lubricant’s
wear protection properties. The impressive test results show
AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil outperformed the competitors
in each test.
Thin-Film Oxygen
Uptake (ASTM D-4742):
The Thin-Film Oxygen Uptake Test evaluates the oxidation
stability of lubricating oils. A mixture of the test oil and
chemistries found in gasoline engine operation
(oxidized/nitrated fuel, soluble metals and distilled water)
are placed in a test vessel, which is pressurized with oxygen
and placed in a heated bath. Anti-oxidant breakdown is evident
when the oxygen pressure in the vessel rapidly decreases. At
this point, the induction time (break point) of the oil is
recorded. As shown in the graph, AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor
Oil had the highest induction time of all the tested oils. In
fact, it didn’t reach its break point in over 500 minutes of
testing.
The superior oxidation stability of AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30
Motor Oil allows it to effectively resist the formation of
engine deposits and sludge, keeping engines running clean and
efficient and extending oil life. It also resists thickening,
maintaining its superior wear protection and lubricating
properties and maximizing fuel efficiency.
High Temperature/High
Shear (ASTM D-4683):
The High Temperature/High Shear Test measures a lubricant’s
viscosity under severe high temperature and shear conditions
that resemble highly-loaded journal bearings in fired internal
combustion engines. In order to prevent bearing wear, it is
important for a lubricant to maintain its protective viscosity
under severe operating conditions. The minimum High
Temperature/High Shear viscosity for a 30 weight oil is 2.9 cP.
As shown in the graph, AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil
surpasses this minimum standard and displayed the highest High
Temperature/High Shear viscosity in the group.
The superior viscosity retention of AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30
Motor Oil in the face of severe temperature and shear
conditions allows it to provide continuous, unsurpassed
protection for engine bearings, extending equipment life and
preventing wear.
NOACK Volatility (ASTM
D-5800):
The NOACK Volatility Test determines the evaporation loss of
lubricants in high temperature service.The more motor oils
vaporize, the thicker and heavier they become, contributing to
poor circulation, reduced fuel economy and increased oil
consumption, wear and emissions. A maximum of 15 percent
evaporation loss is allowable to meet API SL and ILSAC GF-3
specifications. As shown in the graph, AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30
Motor Oil outperformed its nearest competitor by over 30
percent.
The extremely low volatility of AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor
Oil allows it to maintain its superior protective and
performance qualities throughout extended drain intervals, even
when faced with severe operating temperatures. In addition, oil
consumption and emissions are minimized and fuel efficiency is
maximized.
Pour Point (ASTM
D-97):
The Pour Point Test determines the lowest temperature at which
a lubricant will flow when cooled under prescribed conditions.
The lower a lubricant’s pour point, the better protection it
provides in low temperature service. As shown in the graph,
AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil has the lowest pour point of
the tested oils.
The low pour point of AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil allows
it to maintain its fluidity in extremely low temperatures,
reducing drag on moving vehicle parts, providing critical
engine components with quick, essential lubrication and easing
startup in cold temperatures. Wear is greatly reduced and
equipment life is extended.
Total Base Number (ASTM
D-2896):
Total Base Number (TBN) is the measurement of a lubricant’s
reserve alkalinity, which aids in the control of acids formed
during the combustion process. The higher a motor oil’s TBN,
the more effective it is in suspending wear-causing
contaminants and reducing the corrosive effects of acids over
an extended period of time. As shown in the graph, AMSOIL
Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil has the highest TBN of the tested
oils.
The high TBN of AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil allows it to
effectively combat wear-causing contaminants and acids,
providing superior protection and performance over extended
drain intervals.
Cold Crank Simulator
(ASTM D-5293):
The Cold Crank Simulator Test determines the apparent viscosity
of lubricants at low temperatures and high shear rates.
Viscosity of lubricants under these conditions is directly
related to engine cranking and startability. The lower a
lubricant’s cold crank viscosity, the easier an engine will
turn over in cold temperatures. 10W motor oils are tested at
-25°C and must have a viscosity below 7000 cP to pass. As shown
in the graph, AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil is well below
the maximum requirement, while many of the competing oils
barely pass.
The low cold crank viscosity of AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor
Oil reduces drag on moving engine parts and allows engines to
achieve critical cranking speed in extremely frigid
temperatures. Engines turn over quickly and dependably in the
coldest winter temperatures.
Four Ball Wear (ASTM
D-4172):
The Four Ball Wear Test determines the wear protection
properties of a lubricant. Three metal balls are clamped
together and covered with the test lubricant, while a rotating
fourth ball is pressed against them in sliding contact. This
contact typically produces a wear scar, which is measured and
recorded. The smaller the average wear scar, the better the
wear protection provided by the lubricant. As shown in the
graph, AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil produced the smallest
wear scar of the tested lubricants.
AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil provides unsurpassed
protection against engine wear. Equipment life is extended, and
repairs, downtime and expenses are reduced.
AMSOIL INC. has
been the leader in synthetic motor oil formulation since its
introduction of the world’s first API rated synthetic motor oil
in 1972. By specializing exclusively in synthetic lubricant
technology, AMSOIL is able to optimize the most advanced
chemistries available. The “Genuine Synthetic PAO Formulated”
designation displayed on AMSOIL packaging indicates that
the oils are formulated with Polyalphaolefin
(PAO) synthetic base stocks. This chemistry is the
industry’s premier base stock technology. Unlike
conventional mineral-based chemistries, AMSOIL PAO base
stocks contain fully saturated, hydrogenated molecules and
are free of wax and other impurities. Combined with an
exact balance of premium additives, it delivers superior
hot and cold temperature performance, resists oxidation
and acid formation and provides long-term wear protection.
AMSOIL “Genuine Synthetic PAO Formulated” oils have
shattered the parameters of the most rigorous industry
testing and set the standard for all other motor oils.
Please contact us with any
questions regarding the Dealership and Preferred Customer
option and we can explain them both in more detail and also
answer any of your product or technical questions. Thank you
for your interest in AMSOIL products and for confidence in our
technical and business expertise. AMSOIL is our business and
our passion and it is our goal to ensure your complete
satisfaction.
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