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 the marketplace.

 

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Star Petroleum High Mileage Formula, 10W-30 API SB  

Star Petroleum, Detroit, MI

 

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

 

 

  

Purchased at: Shell 4200 Mahoning Ave, Austintown, OH

Date of purchase: 7-13-2011

 

 

CONSUMER ALERT:  The label on this product states it is a "10W-30" motor oil.  Test results show this product is not a SAE 10W-30, and does not meet any recognized specifications for a motor oil. The viscosity for this oil is 68% below where it should be for a SAE 10W-30.

 

This product is also labeled as meeting API SB which is an obsolete specification. The API cautions this specification is "not suitable for use in gasoline-powered automotive engines built after 1951. Use in more modern engines may cause unsatisfactory performance or equipment harm."

 

It should also be noted that the high level of iron in this sample is unusual and concerning as it is typically indicative of a contaminant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PETROLEUM QUALITY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA

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

Star Petroleum Motor Oil
 TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896)   7.3 0.5
 Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) 9.3 to <12.5 10.86 3.01
 Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445   69.93 13.46
 Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270) 156 to 167 146 63
 Viscosity @ -25ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 7,000 Max 5,093 790
 Volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800)   11.6 N/A
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-c      
Additives
    Nitrogen μg/g (ASTM D-5762)   837 48
    Calcium   1,920 176
    Magnesium, ppm 10 0
    Phosphorus,  ppm 775 51
    Zinc, ppm   853 3
    Molybdenum,  ppm   16 0
    Barium, ppm   <1 0
Additive and/or other
    Boron,  ppm   107 0
    Silicon,  ppm-d   3 0
    Potassium, ppm   <1 0
    Manganese, ppm   <1 0
    Titanium, ppm   <1 0
    Sulfur, ppm   3,227 1,379
    Copper, ppm   <1 0
    Sodium, ppm   143 3
    Vanadium, ppm   <1 0
Contaminants
    Silver, ppm   <1 0
    Aluminum, ppm   <1 0
    Chromium, ppm   <1 0
    Iron, ppm   <1 41
    Nickel, ppm   <1 0
    Lead, ppm   <1 0
    Antimony, ppm   <1 0
    Tin, ppm   4 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 ranges for the majors 10W-30.

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 3 private label API SM  brands tested. Click here for brands tested.
     
Star 10W-30 Motor Oil
   
Viscometrics
The viscometrics of Star 10W-30 does not meets the required targets for a 10W-30 (SAE J300 specification).
 

 

 
     
   
 

  
FRONT AND BACK LABELS FROM PRODUCT TESTED