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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Alert! CONSUMER ALERT!

XTREME 2000TM Super Premium SAE 10W-30 Motor Oil, API SF

MG Lube, Inc. New York, NY

Purchased in: Maple Shade US Gas, Maple Shade, NJ

Date of purchase: 6/2/2012

 

NOTE:  This product or company is not associated or affiliated with Martin Lubricants, owner and manufacturer of the Xtreme® automotive oils and lubricants.

The labels for XTREME 2000TM Super Premium SAE 10W-30 Motor Oil claim the oil is a 10W-30 motor oil meeting API SF. PQIA's test results for this sample show it is not a 10W-30.  The analysis also shows lower levels of additives than would normally be expected for an SF engine oil.  In addition, the product tested has a very high level of silicon which is commonly associated with abrasive contaminants. 

Use of this oil could potentially cause damage in modern automobile engines.  

Although the label on this product says "For all foreign and domestic cars," API SF is an obsolete specification that is not recommended for engines built after 1988. The label on this product fails to give adequate warning to consumers about its limited use.

PETROLEUM QUALITY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA

TEST PROGRAM

 

 
    Xtreme
 2000
PHYSICAL TESTS Standard  
 TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896)     2.6
 Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) 9.3 to 12.5   8.7
 Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445     55.8
 Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270)     132
 Viscosity @ -25ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 7,000 Max   5.698
 Volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800)     27.5
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-c      
Additives
    Nitrogen μg/g (ASTM D-5762)     258.8
    Calcium     727
    Magnesium, ppm     4
    Phosphorus,  ppm     305
    Zinc, ppm     269
    Molybdenum,  ppm     3
    Barium, ppm     <1
Additives and others
    Boron,  ppm     18
    Silicon,  ppm-d     51
    Potassium, ppm     6
    Manganese, ppm     <1
    Titanium, ppm     <1
    Sulfur, ppm     5,087
    Copper, ppm     2
    Sodium, ppm     <5
    Vanadium, ppm     <1
Contaminants
    Silver, ppm     <1
    Aluminum, ppm     4
    Chromium, ppm     <1
    Iron, ppm     3
    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.

 

  
XTREME 2000 10W-30, API SF

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 10W-30.

Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445)
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  Viscosity @ -25ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293)
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Click here for more on chart and Viscosity@100ºC,cSt               Click here for about chart and Viscosity @ -30ºC

 
   
 

  
FRONT AND BACK LABELS FROM PRODUCT TESTED