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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Formula 300 All Weather Motor Oil, API "SF/CC", SAE "5W30"

Hicks Oil, Doquoin,Il

 

Purchased in: C-store, Olive Branch, MS

Date of purchase: 10-5-2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

All tests conducted on this sample meet the specifications for SAE 5W-30 and are consistent with API SF/CC engine oil.

 

Advisory: This product is labeled as meeting API SF which is an obsolete specification and is not recommended for passenger cars built after 1988. In addition, this product is labeled as meeting API CC which is an obsolete specification and is not recommended for diesel engines built after 1990. The product label does not adequately warn consumers of this limited use. Click here for API Service Categories. 

 

 

 

 

 

The ranges and averages shown in the table below are for current specifications (API SN GF-5).

 

PETROLEUM QUALITY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA

TEST PROGRAM
PHYSICAL TESTS Standard/ranges-b Average-e   Formula 300
 TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896) 6.1 to 8.3 7.2 5.0
 Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) 9.3 to 12.5 10.5 10.43
 Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445 55.8 to 65.2 61.88 61.51
 Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270) 156 to 169 160 159
 Viscosity @ -30ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 6,600 Max 5,775 5,516
 Volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800) 15 Max 14.2 18.7
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-c      
Additives
    Nitrogen μg/g (ASTM D-5762) 599 to 990 804.2 343
    Calcium  1,570 to 2,460 2,051 1,479
    Magnesium, ppm  6 to 46 12.3 5
    Phosphorus,  ppm 600 to 800 703 764
    Zinc, ppm  766 to 868 791 818
    Molybdenum,  ppm  <1 to 269 60 1
    Barium, ppm  <1 <1 <1
  Additives and/or others
    Boron,  ppm  <1 to 237 79 4
    Silicon,  ppm-d  3 to 9 5 6
    Potassium, ppm 9 to 17 11 6
    Manganese, ppm  <1 <1 <1
    Titanium, ppm  <1 to 114 11 <1
    Sulfur, ppm  5,000 max 2,785 2,192
    Copper, ppm  <1  <1 <1
    Sodium, ppm  5 to 454 172 <5
    Vanadium, ppm  <1 <1 <1
Contaminants
    Silver, ppm  <1 <1   <1
    Aluminum, ppm  <1 to 3 1   <1
    Chromium, ppm  <1 <1   <1
    Iron, ppm  <1 to 1 1   <1
    Nickel, ppm  <1 <1   <1
    Lead, ppm  <1 <1   <1
    Antimony, ppm  <1 <1   <1
    Tin, ppm  <1 <1   <1

a- Click here for product label.

b- Standards, shown in orange, 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.

 

  
Formula 300
The American Petroleum Institute sets forth a number of laboratory and engine tests required to meet an API SN ILSAC GF-5  performance specification. Although laboratory tests alone cannot be used to establish if an engine oil meets API SN, they can be used to determine if it doesn't.

The following is a comparison of the test results for the sample of Formula 300 tested with that of SAE 5W-30

  
Viscometrics

The viscometrics meet the required targets for a 5W-30.

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

 
   
FRONT AND BACK LABELS FROM PRODUCT TESTED