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.

 

Everclear 5W-30, API SC/CC Motor Oil
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Everclear 5W-30, API SC/CC Motor Oil  

Everclear of Ohio, Youngstown, OH 

 

Purchased in: Arlington Hts, IL

Date of purchase: 9-11-2013

 

CONSUMER ALERT -  The label on this product states it is a "5W-30" motor oil.  In fact, PQIA's test results show this product is not an SAE 5W-30 oil, and it lacks the critical additives needed to protect modern engines.  In addition, the high levels of iron, aluminum, copper, lead, and silicon strong suggest this product contains used oil.

Further, this product is labeled as meeting API SC/CC which are obsolete specifications. The API cautions the SC specification is "Not suitable for use in gasoline-powered automotive engines built after 1967. Use in more modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm."

PHYSICAL TESTS Standard/ranges-b Typical-e Everclear
 TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896)   6.1 to 8.3 0.44
 Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) 9.3 to 12.5   7.8
 Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445   55.8 to 65.2 46.2
 Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270)   156 to 169 138
 Viscosity @ -30ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 6,600 Max   7,235
 Volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800)     n/r
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-c      
Additives
    Calcium   1,570 to 2,360 73
    Magnesium, ppm   6 to 46 <1
    Phosphorus,  ppm   600 to 800 <1
    Zinc, ppm   766 to 868 33
    Molybdenum,  ppm   <1 to 269 4
    Barium, ppm   <1 <1
 
    Boron,  ppm   <1 to 237 <1
    Silicon,  ppm-d   2 to 9 916
    Potassium, ppm   9 to 17 <1
    Manganese, ppm   <1 <1
    Titanium, ppm   <1 to 114 <1
    Copper, ppm   <1 122
    Sodium, ppm   5 to 454 1
    Vanadium, ppm   <1 <1
Contaminants
    Silver, ppm   <1 <1
    Aluminum, ppm   <1 to 3 20
    Chromium, ppm   <1 2
    Iron, ppm   <1 to 1 21
    Nickel, ppm   <1 <1
    Lead, ppm   <1 10
    Antimony, ppm   <1 <1
    Tin, ppm   <1 7

a- Click here for product label.

b- Standards, shown in yellow are established by API, SAE and others.

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- Values typically seen in motor oils meeting the current API SN/GF-5 specification.

 

 
   
   
FRONT AND BACK LABELS FROM PRODUCT TESTED