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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Bullseye Motor Oil 5W30 Motor Oil API SC/CC 

Bullseye Automotive Products, Inc., Dolton, IL

 

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

 

 

Purchased in: Wickliffe Shell, Austintown, OH

Date of purchase: July 13, 2011 

 

 

 

CONSUMER ALERT:  The label on this product states it is an "SAE 5W30" motor oil.  In fact, PQIA's test results show this product is not a SAE 5W-30, does not meet the requirements of an API SC/CC, and does not meet any other recognized specifications for a motor oil.   In addition, the viscosity for this oil is 75% below where it should be for a SAE 5W-30.

 

Further, this product is labeled as meeting API SC which is an obsolete specification. The API cautions this 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."

 

 

NOTE:  PQIA sampled this brand in January of 2011 and issued a CONSUMER ALERT. This is a new sample purchased in July 2011 at the same location. Test results show this product is very similar to the previous sample tested, and, whereas it can cause damage to a passenger car engine, it remains in the market.

 

Click here for previous Consumer Alert on the sample of Bullseye tested and Shell's response to PQIA's concerns that this brand (with very similiar colors to Shell's logo) is sold at a c-store connected to a Shell gas station. 

 

 

 

 

 

PETROLEUM QUALITY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA

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

Bullseye API SC/CC
 TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896)   8.0 0.0
 Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) 9.3 to 12.5 10.39 2.31
 Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445   60.48 9.1
 Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270)   163 47
 Viscosity @ -30ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 6,600 Max 5,793 790
 Volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800) 13.5 >79
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-c      
Additives
    Nitrogen μg/g (ASTM D-5762)   860 0
    Calcium   2,043 4
    Magnesium, ppm   11 0
    Phosphorus,  ppm   772 2
    Zinc, ppm   851 0
    Molybdenum,  ppm   93 0
    Barium, ppm   <1 0
  Additive and/or other
    Boron,  ppm   84 0
    Silicon,  ppm-d   5 2
    Potassium, ppm   <1 0
    Manganese, ppm   1 0
    Titanium, ppm   <1 0
    Sulfur, ppm   3,021 723
    Copper, ppm   <1 0
    Sodium, ppm   82 0
    Vanadium, ppm   <1 0
Contaminants
    Silver, ppm   <1 0
    Aluminum, ppm   <1 4
    Chromium, ppm   <1 0
    Iron, ppm   1 0
    Nickel, ppm   <1 0
    Lead, ppm   <1 0
    Antimony, ppm   <1 0
    Tin, ppm   5 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 major brands tested.

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 10 major brands tested. Click here for brands tested.

 

 

  
Viscometrics

The viscometrics of Bullseye 5W-30 does not meet the required targets for a 5W-30 (SAE J300 specification).





   
 

 

  
FRONT AND BACK LABELS FROM PRODUCT TESTED