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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Royal Star 5W30 Motor Oil (NO API Service Classification shown)

Manufacturer and Distributor not on label "Made in the USA"

 

Purchased in: Clark Station, Allen Park, MI

Date of purchase: 8-27-2012

 

CONSUMER ALERT:  The label on this product states "5W30" motor oil. Test results show this product is not a SAE 5W-30, and does not meet any recognized specifications for motor oil. The viscosity of this oil is 76% below where it should be for a SAE 5W-30. 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 than.

 

Further, other than stating "Motor Oil," this product label includes no information as to the API Service Classification it meets. It's clear, however, from the data that the sample tested contains no additives. Because of this, and its very low viscosity, it is not suitable for use in gasoline-powered automotive engines built after 1930 and will cause unsatisfactory performance and/or harm to an engine.

 

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

 

 
   
Royal Star 5W30
PHYSICAL TESTS Standard/ranges-b Average-e
 TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896)     n/r
 Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) 9.3 to 12.5 10.5 2.2
 Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445     n/r
 Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270)     n/r
 Viscosity @ -30ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 7,000 Max 5,775 n/r
 Volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800)     n/r
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-c      
Additives
    Nitrogen μg/g (ASTM D-5762)     n/r
    Calcium     <1
    Magnesium, ppm     <1
    Phosphorus,  ppm     <1
    Zinc, ppm     <1
    Molybdenum,  ppm     <1
    Barium, ppm     <1
  Additives and/or other
    Boron,  ppm     3
    Silicon,  ppm-d     3
    Potassium, ppm     <5
    Manganese, ppm     <1
    Titanium, ppm     <1
    Sulfur, ppm     n/r
    Copper, ppm     <1
    Sodium, ppm     10
    Vanadium, ppm     <1
Contaminants
    Silver, ppm     <1
    Aluminum, ppm     <1
    Chromium, ppm     <1
    Iron, ppm     1
    Nickel, ppm     <1
    Lead, ppm     <1
    Antimony, ppm     <1
    Tin, ppm     <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.

 

  
Royal Star 5W30

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.

 

  
Viscometrics

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

Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445)
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Click here for more on chart and Viscosity@100ºC,cSt              

 
   
 

  
FRONT AND BACK LABELS FROM PRODUCT TESTED