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. |
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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.
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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.
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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
10W-30 Synthetic 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.
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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 10W-30 Synthetic 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.
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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.
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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.
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Four Ball Wear (ASM
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.
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