Petroleum Quality Institute of America

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is an independent resource for information and insights on the quality and performance of lubricants in the marketplace.  Our mission is to serve the consumer of lubricants by reporting on the quality and integrity of lubricants in the marketplace.

 

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Everclear 10W-30 Motor Oil, API SC/CC

Everclear of Ohio, LTD, Youngstown, OH

 

Test Results on this sample indicate the product can cause damage to a passenger car engine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased at: Nice N Easy, 4508 Calumet, Hammond, IN

Date of purchase: 7-14-2011

 

CONSUMER ALERT:  The low TBN in the sample tested together with the low levels of zinc, calcium, and magnesium indicate this oil lacks the additives typically required for the API SC Service Classification.

 

 

The high level of aluminum, chromium, iron, silicon, and copper in this sample are unusual and concerning as they are typically indicative of contaminants.

 

It is also important to note that the API cautions SC is an obsolete specification and is "Not suitable for use in gasoline-powered automotive engines built after 1967. Use in more modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm."

 

 

 

 

PETROLEUM QUALITY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA

TEST PROGRAM
PHYSICAL TESTS Standard/ranges-b Average-e

Everclear Motor Oil
 TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896)   7.3 0.2
 Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) 9.3 to <12.5 10.86 12.16
 Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445   69.93 76.38
 Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270) 156 to 167 146 165
 Viscosity @ -25ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 7,000 Max 5,093 4,310
 Volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800)   11.6 29.2
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-c      
Additives
    Nitrogen μg/g (ASTM D-5762)   837 150
    Calcium   1,920 7
    Magnesium, ppm   10 20
    Phosphorus,  ppm   775 253
    Zinc, ppm   853 24
    Molybdenum,  ppm   16 1
    Barium, ppm   <1 0
Additive and/or other
    Boron,  ppm 107 26
    Silicon,  ppm-d   3 36
    Potassium, ppm   <1 0
    Manganese, ppm   <1 0
    Titanium, ppm   <1 0
    Sulfur, ppm   3,227 2,843
    Copper, ppm   <1 34
    Sodium, ppm   143 5
    Vanadium, ppm   <1 0
Contaminants
    Silver, ppm   <1 0
    Aluminum, ppm   <1 13
    Chromium, ppm   <1 9
    Iron, ppm   <1 50
    Nickel, ppm   <1 0
    Lead, ppm   <1 4
    Antimony, ppm   <1 0
    Tin, ppm   4 4

a- Click here for product label.

b- Standards, shown in orange, are established by API, SAE and others. Ranges, shown in teal, represent the high and low data ranges for the majors 10W-30.

c-Test Method for metal analysis is ASTM ASTM D5185.

d- Although silicon is used as an antifoam additive in lubricants, concentrations above 7ppm have been linked to contamination from abrasive material,

e- Average of the 3 private label API SM  brands tested. Click here for brands tested.
     
Everclear
   
Viscometrics
The viscometrics of Everclear 10W-30 meets the required targets for a 10W-30 (SAE J300 specification).
 

 
   
 

  
FRONT AND BACK LABELS FROM PRODUCT TESTED