Test Results that show why AMSOIL is the best motor oil
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 start-ability. 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.