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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CarQuest 5W-30 API SM ILSAC GF-4

CarQuest Corporation, Packaged by Ashland, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Purchased in: CQ of Sturgis MI, Sturgis, MI

Date of purchase: January 4, 2011 

 

 

All tests conducted on this sample meet the specifications for API SM and ILSAC GF-4 5W-30 Engine oil.

 

 

 

 

PETROLEUM QUALITY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA

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

CarQuest

 5W-30
 TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896) 7.4 to 9.0 8.0 7.3
 Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) 9.3 to 12.5 10.39 10.63
 Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445 55.0 to 82.0 60.48 62.2
 Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270) 156 to 167 163 162
 Viscosity @ -30ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 6,600 Max 5,793 5,050
 Volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800) 15 Max 13.5 15.2 See footnote "f"
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-c      
Additives
    Nitrogen μg/g (ASTM D-5762) 720 to 1,000 860 790
    Calcium  1,648 to 2,301 2,043 1,591
    Magnesium, ppm  6 to 43 11 13
    Phosphorus,  ppm 600 to 800 772 694
    Zinc, ppm  789 to 887 851 759
    Molybdenum,  ppm  <1 to 226 93 0
    Barium, ppm  <1 <1 1
 
    Boron,  ppm  <1 to 246 84 0
    Silicon,  ppm-d  4 to 8 5 3
    Potassium, ppm  <1  <1 0
    Manganese, ppm  <1 to 8 1 0
    Titanium, ppm  <1 <1 0
    Sulfur, ppm  5,000 max 3,021 2,251
    Copper, ppm  <1  <1 0
    Sodium, ppm  <1 to 467 82 200
    Vanadium, ppm  <1 <1 0
Contaminants
    Silver, ppm  <1 <1 0
    Aluminum, ppm  <1 to 2 <1 0
    Chromium, ppm  <1 <1 0
    Iron, ppm  <1 to 1 1 1
    Nickel, ppm  <1 <1 0
    Lead, ppm  <1 to 1 <1 0
    Antimony, ppm  <1 <1 7
    Tin, ppm  4 to 5 5 0

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 majors shown.

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.

f- The specification of 15 max is expressed in two significant figures and therefore this result meets specification.

 

  
CarQuest 5W-30
The American Petroleum Institute sets forth a number of laboratory and engine tests required to meet an API SM performance specification. Although laboratory tests alone cannot be used to establish if an engine oil meets API SM, they can be used to determine if it doesn't.

What follows is a comparison of the test results for CarQuest 5W-30 as compared to the API SM ILSAC GF-4 requirements.

The API limits for each test are shown by the yellow bars. The test result for CarQuest 5W-30 are illustrated by the horizontal line.

 
Viscometrics

The viscometrics of CarQuest 5W-30 meets the required targets for a 5W-30 API SM (SAE J300 specification).

 
   
Volatility Phosphorus
The volatility of CarQuest 5W-30 meets the parameters required for an API SM ILSAC GF-4 designation.

Click here for more on Volatility.

 The phosphorus content in CarQuest 5W-30 meets the requirements for an API SM ILSAC GF-4 designation.

 

  
   
 

  
FRONT AND BACK LABELS FROM PRODUCT TESTED