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API Comparative Motor Oil Testing
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MSOIL SYNTHETIC 10W-30 (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.
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Motor Oils Tested
AMSOIL ATM (Synthetic)
Castrol GTX Drive Hard (Petro)
Valvoline Synpower (Synthetic)
Mobil Drive Clean (Petroleum)
Pennzoil with Purebase (Petro)
Quaker State (Synthetic)
Quaker State Peak Performance (Petro)
Castrol Syntec (Synthetic)
Valvoline (Petroleum)
Pennzoil (Synthetic)
Mobil 1 SuperSyn Multi-Vehicle (Syn)
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Test Areas
Thin-Film Oxygen Uptake (ASTM D-4742)
High Temperature/High Shear (ASTM D-4683)
NOACK Volatility (ASTM D-5800)
Pour Point (ASTM D-97)
Total Base Number (ASTM D-2896)
Cold Cranking Simulator (ASTM D-5293)
Four Ball Wear (ASTM D-4172)
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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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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, soluable metals,
distilled water) are placed in a test vessel, which is pressurized with oxygen
and placed in a heated bath. Anti-oxident 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 efficiently, and extending oil life. It also resists
thickening, maintaining its superior wear protection and lubricating properties
and maximizing fuel efficiency.
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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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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% 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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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 10W-30 Synthetic 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 maiontain
its fluidity in extremely low temperatures, reducing drag on moving vehicle
parts, providing critical engine components with quick, essential lubrication
and easy start-up in cold temperatures. Wear is greatly reduced and equipment
life is extended.
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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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The Cold Crank Simulator Test determines the apparent viscosity of lubricants
at low temperatures and high shear rates. Viscosity of lubricants under these
conditions relates directly 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 reading, 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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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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AMSOIL Synthetic Oils have shattered the
parameters of the of the most rigorous industry testing and set the standard for all
other motor oils.
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