Comparative Motor Oil Testing
AMSOIL
Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil (ATM) and 10 competing conventional and synthetic10W-30
motor oils were subjected to a series of ASTM motor oil tests. The competing
oils included petroleum-based Castro 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 SuperSyn Multi-Vehicle.
Seven 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 (ASTMD-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 hightemperature 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 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.
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.
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 the 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, itdelivers superior hot and cold temperature
performance, resists oxidation and acid formation and provides long-term
wear protection. AMSOIL "General Synthetic PAO Formulated"
oils have shattered the parameters of the most rigorous industry testing
and set the standard for all other motor oils. |
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