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 themarketplace.

 

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US Spirit 5W30 High Performance

Global Market Distribution, Beach Park, IL

 

Purchased in: Sunnys BP, Jacksonville, FL

Date of purchase: 11-27-2011

 

Consumer Alert:  US Spirit 5W30 High Performance All Season Motor Oil states "5W30" on the front label, implying that the oil meets the "SAE 5W-30" grade.  The test results show this to be a 10W-20 or a 15W-20 oil.  The labels also state that the oil is "Made with SL Additive Technology," but the test results show the oil does not meet the API SL specification, and the Phosphorus level (anti-wear additive) is well below that seen in typical SL oils and required for engines built after 2003. 

The back label states that the oil "Exceeds SF/CC". API SF is an obsolete specification and is not recommended for passenger cars built after 1988, and API CC is an obsolete specification not recommended for diesel engines built after 1990. The product label does not adequately warn consumers of this limited use.  In addition, the analysis shows an unusually high level of iron and silicon.  Click here for API Service Categories.

 

 

 

 

PETROLEUM QUALITY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA 

TEST PROGRAM
The ranges and averages shown in the table below are for current specifications (API SN GF-5)
PHYSICAL TESTS Standard/ranges-b Average-e   US Spirit
 TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896) 6.1 to 8.3 7.2 9.5
 Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) 9.3 to 12.5 10.5 9.0
 Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445 55.8 to 65.2 61.88 56.8
 Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270) 156 to 169 160 138
 Viscosity @ -30ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 6,600 Max 5,775 18,990
 Volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800) 15 Max 14.2 18.8
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-c      
Additives
    Nitrogen μg/g (ASTM D-5762) 599 to 990 804.2 595.5
    Calcium  1,570 to 2,460 2,051 2,276
    Magnesium, ppm  6 to 46 12.3 93
    Phosphorus,  ppm 600 to 800 703 481
    Zinc, ppm  766 to 868 791 682
    Molybdenum,  ppm  <1 to 269 60 47
    Barium, ppm  <1 <1 4
 
    Boron,  ppm  <1 to 237 79 19
    Silicon,  ppm-d  3 to 9 5 11
    Potassium, ppm 9 to 17 11 8
    Manganese, ppm  <1 <1 <1
    Titanium, ppm  <1 to 114 11 <1
    Sulfur, ppm  5,000 max 2,785 5,434
    Copper, ppm  <1  <1 <1
    Sodium, ppm  5 to 454 172 8
    Vanadium, ppm  <1 <1 <1
Contaminants
    Silver, ppm  <1 <1   <1
    Aluminum, ppm  <1 to 3 1   1
    Chromium, ppm  <1 <1   <1
    Iron, ppm  <1 to 1 1   12
    Nickel, ppm  <1 <1   <1
    Lead, ppm  <1 <1   <1
    Antimony, ppm  <1 <1   <1
    Tin, ppm  <1 <1   <1

a- Click here for product label.

b- Standards, shown in yellow are established by API, SAE and others. Ranges, shown in teal, represent the high and low data for the 13 major brands of API SN ILSAC GF-5 tested in September 2011.

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 13 major brands of API SN ILSAC GF-5 tested in September 2011.

 

  
US Spirit
 

The following is a comparison of the test results for the sample of US Spirit tested with the SAE  J300 5W-30 viscosity requirements.

 
Viscometrics

The viscometrics do not meet the required targets for a 5W-30.

Viscosity @ 100șC, cSt, (ASTM D445)
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  Viscosity @ -30șC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293)
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Click here for more on chart and Viscosity@100șC,cSt                Click here for about chart and Viscosity @ -30șC

 
   
 
FRONT AND BACK LABELS FROM PRODUCT TESTED