March 11, 2013 - Test Results for API SN, SAE 5W-30, ILSAC GF-5 Motor Oils

 

SYNTHETICS

Synthetics are typically considered the top line in motor oils. They comprise products formulated with superior base oils (API Group III, and/or polyalphaolefins, esters, and others), and additives. Synthetic motor oils are generally said to provide enhanced engine protection from wear and deposits, longer service intervals, superior high temperature operation and cold-flow properties, improved fuel economy, and other features and benefits.

Standards, shown in black below, are established by API, SAE and others. Ranges shown in green represent the high and low data for the 7 major brands of synthetic API SN ILSAC GF-5 tested.

Kendall
GT-1 
LUKOIL  Schaeffer's Supreme  Proline Lucas  
           
PHYSICAL TESTS (click test for details)
Standards/ranges-a
         
    TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896)
8.0 to 11.3
8.7  7.5  8.9  7.9 7.6 
    Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) 9.30 to 12.5 11.1  10.7  10.5  11.0 11.4 
   Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) 52.4 to 62.5 64.9  61.1  61.0  64.4 64.0 
   Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270) 161 to 171 164.0  167  161  164.0 174 
   Viscosity @ -30ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 6,600 Max 5,090  4,512  4,941  5,553 4,293 
    NOACK volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800)
15 Max
10.7  11.3  9.9  11.7 14.9 
Additives          
    Calcium, ppm
 764 to 2,648
2,435  1,791  2,137  2,302 1,805 
    Magnesium, ppm
 7 to 1462
11  20  13  10
    Phosphorus, ppm
600 to 800
663  670  649  715 736 
    Zinc, ppm 821 to 987 834  873  857  850 878 
    Molybdenum, ppm <1 to 80 81  <1  309  <1 <1 
    Barium,ppm <1 <1  <1  <1  <1 <1 
Additive and/or other          
    Boron,  ppm
 2 to 255
253  14  200
    Silicon,  ppm
 3 to 8
14  5
    Potassium, ppm
 <5 to 6
<5  6
    Manganese, ppm
 <1
<1  <1  <1  <1 <1 
    Titanium, ppm
 <1 to 2
93  <1  <1  <1 <1 
    Copper, ppm
 <1
<1  <1  <1  <1 <1 
    Sodium, ppm
 <5 to 461
<5  474  472  <5 478 
    Vanadium, ppm
 <1
<1  <1  <1  <1 <1 
Contaminants          
    Silver, ppm
 <1
<1 <1 <1 <1 <1
    Aluminum, ppm
 <1 to 3
2 <1 5 2 <1
    Chromium, ppm
 <1
<1 <1 <1 <1 <1
    Iron, ppm
 <1 to 1
<1 1 1 <1 1
    Nickel, ppm
 <1
<1 <1 <1 <1 <1
    Lead, ppm
 <1
<1 <1 <1 <1 <1
    Antimony, ppm
 <1
<1 <1 69 <1 <1
    Tin, ppm
 <1
<1 <1 <1 <1 <1

a- Standards, shown in black are established by API, SAE and others. Ranges, shown in green, represent the high and low data for the 7 major brands of synthetic API SN ILSAC GF-5 SiteLocktested in February 2013.

b-Test Method used for metal analysis is ASTM ASTM D5185.

c- ASTM D5185-09 Reproducibility by Element.