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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Valvoline Premium Conventional 5W-30 API SN/SM ILSAC GF-5

Valvoline A Commerical Unit of Ashland Inc.

 

Purchased in: Wal-Mart Edison, NJ

Date of purchase: 9/17/2011

 

 

 

 

 

All tests conducted on this sample meet the specifications for API SN and ILSAC GF-5 5W-30 Engine oil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PETROLEUM QUALITY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA

TEST PROGRAM
PHYSICAL TESTS Standard/ranges-b Average-e

Valvoline
 TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896) 6.1 to 8.3 7.2 6.1
 Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) 9.3 to 12.5 10.5 10.54
 Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445 55.8 to 65.2 61.88 62.89
 Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270) 156 to 169 160 158
 Viscosity @ -30ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 6,600 Max 5,775 5,924
 Volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800) 15 Max 14.2 14.4
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-c      
Additives
    Nitrogen μg/g (ASTM D-5762) 599 to 990 804.2 659.4
    Calcium  1,570 to 2,460 2,051 1,571
    Magnesium, ppm  6 to 46 12 8
    Phosphorus,  ppm 600 to 800 703 702
    Zinc, ppm  766 to 868 791 776
    Molybdenum,  ppm  <1 to 269 60 2
    Barium, ppm  <1 <1 <1
 
    Boron,  ppm  <1 to 237 79 3
    Silicon,  ppm-d  3 to 9 5 4
    Potassium, ppm 9 to 17 11 9
    Manganese, ppm  <1 <1 <1
    Titanium, ppm  <1 to114 11 <1
    Sulfur, ppm  5,000 max 2,785 1,987
    Copper, ppm  <1  <1 <1
    Sodium, ppm  5 to 454 172 438
    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.

 

 

  
Valvoline Premium Conventional
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 Valvoline Premium Conventional tested with the API SN ILSAC GF-5 requirements.

 
Viscometrics

The viscometrics meet the required targets for an SAE 5W-30 API (SAE J300 specification).

 
   
Volatility Phosphorus
The volatility meets the requirements for an API SN ILSAC GF-5 designation.


 

 

Click here for more on Volatility.

 The phosphorus content in meets the requirements for an API SN designation.

 

 

 

  
   
 

  
FRONT AND BACK LABELS FROM PRODUCT TESTED