CONSUMER ALERT!
Auto Club 5W-30 Motor Oil, API SH/CD
Auto Club Oil & Chemicals Corp. New York, NY
Purchased in: Cherry Hill Citgo, Cherry Hill, NJ
Date of purchase: 6/2/2012
Consumer Alert: The labels for this product claim the oil is a 5W-30 motor oil meeting the warranty requirements for API SJ, SH, SG, and SF. The labels also bear the API certification marks for API Service Categories SH/CD and an unidentified ILSAC specification. PQIA's test results for this sample show the oil is a not a 5W-30, but rather a 10W-20. In addition, although the labels on this product display the API certification marks, a check with the API shows this product has not been certified by them since 2005.
The analysis also shows lower levels of additives than would normally be expected for an SJ. SH, SG, SF, CC, CD engine oil. API SH/CC is an obsolete specification that is not recommended for engines built after 1996. The label on this product fails to give adequate warning to consumers about its limited use.Use of this oil could potentially cause damage in modern automobile engines.
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PETROLEUM QUALITY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA TEST PROGRAM
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Auto Club |
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| PHYSICAL TESTS | Standard/ranges-b | Average-e | |
| TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896) | 3.1 | ||
| Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) | 9.3 to 12.5 | 10.5 | 8.8 |
| Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445 | 57.4 | ||
| Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270) | 129 | ||
| Viscosity @ -30ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) | 7,000 Max | 5,775 | 13,110 |
| Volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800) | 21.0 | ||
| ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-c | |||
| Additives | |||
| Nitrogen μg/g (ASTM D-5762) | 379.8 | ||
| Calcium | 801 | ||
| Magnesium, ppm | 8 | ||
| Phosphorus, ppm | 360 | ||
| Zinc, ppm | 360 | ||
| Molybdenum, ppm | 3 | ||
| Barium, ppm | <1 | ||
| Additives and/or other | |||
| Boron, ppm | 38 | ||
| Silicon, ppm-d | 11 | ||
| Potassium, ppm | 5 | ||
| Manganese, ppm | <1 | ||
| Titanium, ppm | 1 | ||
| Sulfur, ppm | 4,651 | ||
| Copper, ppm | <1 | ||
| Sodium, ppm | 9 | ||
| Vanadium, ppm | <1 | ||
| Contaminants | |||
| Silver, ppm | <1 | ||
| Aluminum, ppm | <1 | ||
| Chromium, ppm | <1 | ||
| Iron, ppm | 2 | ||
| Nickel, ppm | <1 | ||
| Lead, ppm | <1 | ||
| Antimony, ppm | <1 | ||
| Tin, ppm | <1 | ||
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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. |
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| Auto Club 5W-30, API SH | ||||
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The American Petroleum Institute sets forth a number of laboratory and engine tests required to meet their performance specification. Although laboratory tests alone cannot be used to establish if an engine oil meets API specifications they can be used to determine if it doesn't.
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| Viscometrics | ||||
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The viscometrics do not meet the required specifications for a 5W-30.
Click here for more on chart and Viscosity@100șC,cSt Click here for about chart and Viscosity @ -30șC
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| FRONT AND BACK LABELS FROM PRODUCT TESTED | ||||
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