Comparative
Motor Oil Testing
| Motor
Oils Tested |
Test
Areas |
AMSOIL ATM
Mobil 1 Extended Performance
Quaker State Advanced Full Synthetic
Pennzoil Platinum
Trop Artic
Motorcraft
Castrol GTX
Chevron Supreme
Havoline
Formula Shell
Pennzoil
|
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)
|
|
AMSOIL Synthetic
10W-30 Motor Oil (ATM) and 10 competing
conventional, synthetic and synthetic
blend 10W-30 motor oils were subjected
to a series of motor oil tests. The
competing oils included petroleum-based
Castrol GTX, Chevron Supreme, Havoline,
Formula Shell and Pennzoil, as well
as synthetic-blends Trop Artic and
Motorcraft, and full-synthetic Pennzoil
Platinum, Quaker State Advanced Full
Synthetic and Mobil 1 Extended Performance.
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) indicates the degree to
which a lubricant can impact cold weather
starting. The impressive test results
show AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor
Oil outperformed the competitors in
nearly every test.
|
Extends
Oil Life
The Thin Film Oxygen Uptake Test (TFOUT)
is used to evaluate engine oil’s ability
to resist heat and oxygen breakdown
when contaminated with oxidized/nitrated
fuel, water, and soluble metals such
as lead, copper, iron, manganese and
silicon. This test is designed to mimic
the operating conditions of a gasoline
engine.
AMSOIL 10W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil has
superior heat and oxidation resistance
to control sludge deposits and extend
oil life. Engines stay clean for maximum
protection and oil changes are reduced,
saving time and money.
|
Protects
Hot Engines
The High Temperature/High Shear Test
measures a lubricant’s viscosity under
severe high temperature and shear conditions
that are similar to severe service
applications in an engine. In order
to prevent wear, it is important for
a lubricant to maintain its protective
viscosity level under severe operating
conditions.
AMSOIL 10W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil does
not “shear back” and thin out like other
motor oils. Its superior viscosity stability
provides unsurpassed bearing protection
for dependable engine operation, especially
during hot operating conditions.
|
Maximizes
Fuel Economy, Reduces Oil Consumption
and Emissions
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.
AMSOIL 10W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil resists
high temperature volatilization (evaporation)
better than other motor oils. AMSOIL
Synthetic Motor Oil maintains peak fuel
efficiency and reduces oil consumption
and emissions.
|
Improves
Cold Temperature Startup
The Pour Point Test determines the
lowest temperature at which a lubricant
will flow. The lower a lubricant’s
pour point, the better protection it
provides in low temperature service.
Unlike conventional oils that solidify
in cold temperatures, AMSOIL 10W-30
Synthetic Motor oil remains fluid down
to -58° F. AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil
helps engines turn over easier and
flows quickly to engine parts for critical
start-up protection. Engines start
faster and wear is greatly reduced
for extended engine life.
|
Controls
Acid Formation
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.
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.
|
Helps
Engines Start Easier
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. 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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Protects
Against Wear
The Four-Ball Wear Test evaluates
the protection provided by engine oil
under conditions of pressure and sliding
motion. The size of the scar left as
a result of the test determines the
amount of wear protection the lubricant
provides. The smaller the wear scar,
the better the protection. Tests show
that AMSOIL 10W-30
Synthetic Motor Oil has better antiwear
performance than all other oils tested.
With AMSOIL Synthetic Motor
Oil, engine life can be extended and
major repairs are often reduced. |