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 the marketplace.

 

 

 

 

 
 

PETROLEUM QUALITY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA TEST PROGRAM

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is an independent resource for information and insights on the quality of lubricants in the marketplace. Our mission is to serve the consumer of lubricants by randomly sampling and independently testing lubricants taken from the field. Test results are posted along with the brand names on the PQIA website. Although laboratory tests alone cannot be used to establish if engine oil meets an API Service Category, they can be used to determine if it doesn't.

 

Chevron Delo® 400LE SAE 15W-40, API CJ-4/CI-4 Plus/SM
CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE Chevron Delo 400LE SAE 15W-40

Chevron Products Company a Division of Chevron USA Inc.

 

Purchased at: Walmart, Edison, NJ

Date of purchase: 4-18-2013

 

 

The results of the tests conducted on this sample meet the requirements of an API CJ-4/CI-4 Plus/SM, SAE 15W-40 engine oil.

 
PHYSICAL TESTS Standard/ranges-a Chevron
Delo 400LE
 TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896) 7.39 to 9.66 7.39
 Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445)  12.5 to <16.3 15.9
 Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445 108  to 129 129
 Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270) 130 to 136 130
 Viscosity @ -20ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 7,000 Max 6,128
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-b      
Additives
    Calcium 1,208 to 2,321 1,941
    Magnesium 8 to 911 516
    Phosphorus,  ppm 877 to 1,312 1,312
    Zinc, ppm 1,012 to 1,490 1,490
    Molybdenum,  ppm 0 to 117 117
    Barium, ppm <1 <1
 
    Boron, ppm 1 to 679 679
    Silicon,  ppm-d 4 to 8 6
    Potassium, ppm 2 to 5 2
    Manganese, ppm <1 <1
    Titanium, ppm <1 <1
    Copper, ppm <1 <1
    Sodium, ppm 1 to 6 2
    Vanadium, ppm <1 1
Contaminants
    Silver, ppm 1 1
    Aluminum, ppm 1 to 2 2 
    Chromium, ppm <1 <1
    Iron, ppm 1 to 2 2
    Nickel, ppm <1 <1
    Lead, ppm <1 <1
    Antimony, ppm <1 <1
    Tin, ppm <1 <1

a- Standards, shown in yellow are established by API, SAE and others. Ranges, shown in green, represent the high and low data for the brands reported in this sample set 2013 (click for sample set).

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

 

 

  
Chevron Delo 400LE SAE 15W-40

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 for the sample tested meet the required targets for a 15W-40.

Viscosity @ 100șC, cSt, (ASTM D445)
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  Viscosity @ -20șC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293)
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Click here for more on chart and Viscosity@100șC,cSt             Click here for more on chart and Viscosity @ -30șC

 
   
 
   
FRONT AND BACK LABELS FROM PRODUCT TESTED