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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Thorntons Premium Motor Oil 5W-30 API SM ILSAC GF-4

Manufactured by Pinnacle Oil Inc., Indianapolis, IN

 

 

 

 

Purchased in: Thorntons Terre Haute, IN

Date of purchase: October 23, 2010

 

 

 

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

Thormtos

 5W-30
 TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896) 7.4 to 9.0 8.0 6.9
 Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) 9.3 to 12.5 10.39 10.69
 Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445 55.0 to 82.0 60.48 65.68
 Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270) 156 to 167 163 154
 Viscosity @ -30ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 6,600 Max 5,793 5,630
 Volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800) 15 Max 13.5 14.6
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-c      
Additives
    Nitrogen μg/g (ASTM D-5762) 720 to 1,000 860 680
    Calcium  1,648 to 2,301 2,043 1,883
    Magnesium, ppm  6 to 43 11 7
    Phosphorus,  ppm 600 to 800 772 757
    Zinc, ppm  789 to 887 851 833
    Molybdenum,  ppm  <1 to 226 93 9
    Barium, ppm  <1 <1 <1
Additive and/or other
    Boron,  ppm  <1 to 246 84 3
    Silicon,  ppm-d  4 to 8 5 <1
    Potassium, ppm  <1  <1 <1
    Manganese, ppm  <1 to 8 1 <1
    Titanium, ppm  <1 <1 <1
    Sulfur, ppm  5,000 max 3,021 3,203
    Copper, ppm  <1  <1 <1
    Sodium, ppm  <1 to 467 82 <1
    Vanadium, ppm  <1 <1 <1
Contaminants
    Silver, ppm  <1 <1 <1
    Aluminum, ppm  <1 to 2 <1 <1
    Chromium, ppm  <1 <1 <1
    Iron, ppm  <1 to 1 1 1
    Nickel, ppm  <1 <1 <1
    Lead, ppm  <1 to 1 <1 <1
    Antimony, ppm  <1 <1 <1
    Tin, ppm  4 to 5 5 3

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.

 

  
Thorntons 5W-30 Motor Oil
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 Thorntons 5W-30 Motor Oil 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 Thorntons 5W-30 Motor Oil are illustrated by the horizontal line.

 
Viscometrics

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

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

Click here for more on Volatility.

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

 

  
   
 

  
FRONT AND BACK LABELS FROM PRODUCT TESTED