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.

 

 

 
 

MaxiGuard Super Premium Motor Oil, API SA, SC,  SAE 10W-40

Distributed by MG Lubricants, Inc., Old Tappan, NJ

 

Purchased in: Dollar Dollar, Elizabeth, NJ

Date of purchase: 9-27-2011

 

Alert! CONSUMER ALERT! - Issued November 18, 2011

 

Test Results on this sample indicate the product may cause damage to a passenger car engine.

 

 

CONSUMER ALERT:  MaxiGuard Super Premium motor oil claims to be “SAE 10W-40” oil that is “a superior all weather motor oil made from the highest grade petroleum base stocks and designed to provide the finest performance” and “For all foreign and domestic cars.”  The Petroleum Quality Institute of America's analysis does not support these claims.  The viscosity results show this product is an SAE 10W-20, not a 10W-40. Further, the volatility result does not support the use of "high grade petroleum base stocks." In addition, the metal results show the oil lacks the appropriate levels of anti-wear and detergent additives required for modern engines.  The analysis also shows high levels of iron, aluminum, and silicon, which indicates this product, may contain used oil.

In addition to the test data, there are concerning labeling issues. The label claims API service SA, SC. These are obsolete Service Categories the API cautions can cause harm to engines built after 1967.  The label does not warn consumers of this limited use. 


The standard below are for the latest specification (API SN GF-5), and the ranges and averages are based on the 13 major brands of API SN ILSAC GF-5 tested in September 2011. Click here for more on API Service Categories.  

 

PETROLEUM QUALITY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA

TEST PROGRAM
PHYSICAL TESTS Standard/ranges-b Average-e   MaxiGuard
 TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896) 6.1 to 8.3 7.2 0.6 
 Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) 12.5 to 16.3 n/a   6.4
 Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445 55.8 to 65.2 n/a   39.42
 Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270) 156 to 169 n/a   113
 Viscosity @ -25ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 7,000 Max n/a   5,509
 Volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800) 15 Max 14.2   27.7
`ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-c      
Additives
    Nitrogen μg/g (ASTM D-5762) 599 to 990 804.2 294 
    Calcium  1,570 to 2,460 2,051   185
    Magnesium, ppm  6 to 46 12.3   16
    Phosphorus,  ppm 600 to 800 703   175
    Zinc, ppm  766 to 868 791   31
    Molybdenum,  ppm  <1 to 269 60   2
    Barium, ppm  <1 <1   2
 
    Boron,  ppm  <1 to 237 79  3
    Silicon,  ppm-d  3 to 9 5   186
    Potassium, ppm 9 to 17 11   17
    Manganese, ppm  <1 <1   12
    Titanium, ppm  <1 to 114 11   <1
    Sulfur, ppm  5,000 max 2,785   4,304
    Copper, ppm  <1  <1   13
    Sodium, ppm  5 to 454 172   20
    Vanadium, ppm  <1 <1   <1
Contaminants
    Silver, ppm  <1 <1 <1 
    Aluminum, ppm  <1 to 3 1 223
    Chromium, ppm  <1 <1 3
    Iron, ppm  <1 to 1 1   200
    Nickel, ppm  <1 <1   1
    Lead, ppm  <1 <1   24
    Antimony, ppm  <1 <1   <1
    Tin, ppm  <1 <1   19

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.

 

  
MaxiGuard
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 MaxiGuard tested with the API SN ILSAC GF-5 requirements.

 
Viscometrics

The viscometrics of the sample of MaxiGuard tested do not meet the required targets for a 10W-40.

Viscosity @ 100șC, cSt, (ASTM D445)
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  Viscosity @ -25șC 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 @ -25șC

   
Volatility Phosphorus

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Click here for more on chart and Volatilty Click here for more on chart and phosphorus
 

  
FRONT AND BACK LABELS FROM PRODUCT TESTED