Royal 10W40 Motor Oil API SA
Manufacturer and Distributor not on label "Made in the USA"
Purchased in: Arrowhead CITGO, Hampshire, IL
Date of purchase: 9-15-2012
CONSUMER ALERT: The label on this product states "10W40 Motor Oil." Test results show this product is not an SAE 10W-40, and does not meet any recognized specifications for motor oil. The viscosity for this oil is close to 80% below where it should be for a SAE 10W-40.
To consumer's who likely don't relate to what viscosity means, if you see this brand on the shelf at a convenience store, shake the bottle; it will sound like water in a bottle. In fact, PQIA asked the operator of the store where this sample was purchased to do just that. And when he did, he said something is obviously wrong with this product (it's too thin). He then suggested buying another brand. All well and good, but if you think there is something obviously wrong with it, why are you selling it?
Further, this product is labeled as meeting API SA which is an obsolete specification. The API cautions this specification "Contains no additives. Not suitable for use in gasoline-powered automotive engines built after 1930. Use in more modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm." The product label does not adequately warn consumers of this limited use. In addition, the analysis shows an unusually high level of silicon. Click here for API Service Categories.
Another concerning issue about this product is that the label provides no information on who manufacturers or distributes it. Click here for product label.
PETROLEUM QUALITY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA TEST PROGRAM |
|||
|
The ranges and averages shown
in the table below are for current specifications (API SN GF-5). Comparison of sample tested is shown at right. |
 |
||
| PHYSICAL TESTS | Standard/ranges-b | Average-e | Royal 10W40 |
| TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896) | 7.2 | n/r | |
| Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) | 12.5 to 16.3 | n/a | 2.4 |
| Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445 | n/a | n/r | |
| Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270) | n/a | n/r | |
| Viscosity @ -25ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) | 7,000 Max | n/a | n/r |
| Volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800) | 14.2 | n/r | |
| ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-c | |||
| Additives | |||
| Nitrogen μg/g (ASTM D-5762) | 804.2 | n/r | |
| Calcium | 2,051 | <1 | |
| Magnesium, ppm | 12.3 | <1 | |
| Phosphorus, ppm | 703 | <1 | |
| Zinc, ppm | 791 | <1 | |
| Molybdenum, ppm | 60 | <1 | |
| Barium, ppm | <1 | <1 | |
| Boron, ppm | 79 | <1 | |
| Silicon, ppm-d | 5 | 10 | |
| Potassium, ppm | 11 | <5 | |
| Manganese, ppm | <1 | <1 | |
| Titanium, ppm | 11 | <1 | |
| Sulfur, ppm | 2,785 | n/r | |
| Copper, ppm | <1 | <1 | |
| Sodium, ppm | 172 | 8 | |
| Vanadium, ppm | <1 | <1 | |
| Contaminants | |||
| Silver, ppm | <1 | <1 | |
| Aluminum, ppm | 1 | <1 | |
| Chromium, ppm | <1 | <1 | |
| Iron, ppm | 1 | <1 | |
| Nickel, ppm | <1 | <1 | |
| Lead, ppm | <1 | <1 | |
| Antimony, ppm | <1 | <1 | |
| Tin, ppm | <1 | <1 | |
|
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 for the 13 major brands of API SN ILSAC GF-5 tested in September 2011. c-Test Method for metal analysis is 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. |
|||
