Comparative Motor Oil Testing
| Motor Oils Tested |
Test Areas |
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AMSOIL ATM
Mobil 1 Extended Performance
Quaker State Advanced Full Synthetic
Pennzoil Platinum
Trop Artic
Motorcraft
Castrol GTX
Chevron Supreme
Havoline
Formula Shell
Pennzoil
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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