Q Motor Oil 10•40

Test Results and PQIA Assessment

Product: Q Motor Oil
Viscosity Grade: 10•40
Labeled: No API Listed
Marketed By: N/A   

Purchased at: Florence, KY
Date of purchase: 1/3/2021

Company Information: 
N/A

Front Label
Back Label

Test Results and PQIA Assessment

Assessment Summary

Physical Properties

Elemental Analysis

Labeling

The front label on this product states “10•40” in large print, which could be interpreted by a consumer as meaning the oil is an SAE 10W-40 viscosity grade. The back label, however,  states “Viscosity Range 10 To 40.” This terminology is not consistent with any industry definitions for SAE viscosity grades. The results of the tests conducted on this sample do NOT meet the SAE J300 specifications for an SAE 10W-40 Viscosity Grade. The Kinematic Viscosity at 100°C is 10% lower than the minimum viscosity specification for this SAE grade. In addition, the elemental analysis results for this sample indicate the product may be contaminated with used oil and abrasive material.  

The labels on the product do not comply with the Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulations of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, and the Regulation for the Method of Sale of Commodities specified in National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 130

Use of this product in virtually all automobiles currently on the road will likely cause harm to the engine. Similarly, although the back label on the product states “Suitable for Moderate Diesel Engines,” use of this product in virtually all diesel engines currently on the road will likely cause harm to the engine. 

Although the laboratory tests conducted on this sample cannot be used alone to establish if the product tested meets a given API Service Category, they can be used to determine if it does not. The test results and PQIA assessment relates ONLY to the sample tested and the tests conducted.
Viscosity
Standard
Q Motor Oil
Status
Viscosity 100°C cSt
12.5 to <16.3
11.3
yello
Viscosity 40°C cSt
73.0
Viscosity Index
147
Cold Crank Viscosity at -25°C
7,000 Max
5,141

Viscosity is a critical measure that determines how thick or thin a lubricant is. Viscosity is measured by several methods to determine the behavior of motor oil during cold startups and while hot at operating temperatures. Motor oils must meet Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J-300 standards to conform to a specific viscosity grade. >>More

Viscosity Index measures the change in viscosity with temperature. Viscosity Index improver additives are used to optimize viscosity at different temperatures. >>More

Detergent Additives and Total Base Number (TBN)
Standard
Q Motor Oil
Status
Calcium (ppm)
1,446
Magnesium (ppm)
112
Sodium (ppm)
<1
Barium (ppm)
2
TBN, mg KOH/g (ASTM D2896)
4.4

Detergent additives help to keep metal surfaces in an engine clean by controlling formation of deposits (i.e. sludge, varnishes). Such deposits can harm an engine by clogging oil passages that lubricate an engine, increase wear and reduce engine performance. A blend of calcium and magnesium-based detergents are most commonly used. A shift towards increased use of magnesium was required to address the needs of new gasoline direct injected (GDI) engines. >>More 

Detergent additives also help prevent corrosive wear by neutralizing acids formed as a by-product of combustion and other processes in an engine. Total Base Number (TBN) is a laboratory test that measures an oil’s ability to neutralize such acids. >>More

Antiwear Additives (parts per million)
Standard
Q Motor Oil
Status
Phosphorus
644
Zinc
572
Molybdenum
55
Titanium
4
Boron
136

Antiwear (AW) additives help protect metal surfaces against impact friction and wear between moving parts in an engine. Such additives work by adhering to metal surfaces and forming a protective film between moving surfaces. The most widely used AW additive are chemistries containing phosphorus and zinc. Some lubricant manufacturers also employ the use of antiwear additives containing boron, molybdenum and titanium among others.

Antiwear additives are multifunctional in that they also act as corrosion inhibitors and, more significantly, antioxidants.

For more on AW additives and other functional and performance additives used in motor oil… >>More

Contaminants (parts per million)
Standard
Q Motor Oil
Status
Silicon*
115
yello
Silver
<1
Aluminum
6
yello
Chromium
<1
Iron
22
yello
Nickel
<1
Lead
1
Antimony
3
Tin
1
Copper
27
yello
Cadmium
<1
Vanadium
<1
Potassium
<1
Manganese
<1
Lithium
<1

Although motor oil is subject to contamination from a number of metals related to wear, and abrasive material in the form of silicon when in use, new motor oil typically does not contain such metals at any appreciable levels. The presence of these metals (iron, aluminum, copper, lead, nickel, tin, sodium, potassium, etc.) in a new motor oil can indicate contamination from used oil, rust, abrasives, and others introduced to the product during blending, packaging, and/or transportation. Such contaminants can be harmful to an engine. Some can also be part of an additive, such as copper or sodium, but these are not often seen.

*Whereas silicon in the form of polydimethylpolysiloxane is commonly used as an antifoamant in motor oil, such use typically does not exceed 10ppm in new motor oil. Levels much above indicate possible contamination with abrasive material, silicone-based sealers, and/or transformer and hydraulic oil.

Note1: Standards are established by API, SAE and others.
Note2: Test Method for metal analysis is ASTM D5185.

  1. This specification is expressed to one significant figure, therefore results above 550 is considered on specification.

Viscosity is a critical measure that determines how thick or thin a lubricant is. Viscosity is measured by several methods to determine the behavior of motor oil during cold startups and while hot at operating temperatures. Motor oils must meet Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J-300 standards to conform to a specific viscosity grade. >>More

Viscosity Index measures the change in viscosity with temperature. Viscosity Index improver additives are used to optimize viscosity at different temperatures. >>More

Detergent additives help to keep metal surfaces in an engine clean by controlling formation of deposits (i.e. sludge, varnishes). Such deposits can harm an engine by clogging oil passages that lubricate an engine, increase wear and reduce engine performance. A blend of calcium and magnesium-based detergents are most commonly used. A shift towards increased use of magnesium was required to address the needs of new gasoline direct injected (GDI) engines.

Detergent additives also help prevent corrosive wear by neutralizing acids formed as a by-product of combustion and other processes in an engine. Total Base Number (TBN) is a laboratory test that measures an oil’s ability to neutralize such acids. >>More

Antiwear (AW) additives help protect metal surfaces against impact friction and wear between moving parts in an engine. Such additives work by adhering to metal surfaces and forming a protective film between moving surfaces. The most widely used AW additive are chemistries containing phosphorus and zinc. Some lubricant manufacturers also employ the use of antiwear additives containing boron, molybdenum and titanium among others.

Antiwear additives are multifunctional in that they also act as corrosion inhibitors and, more significantly, antioxidants.

For more on AW additives and other functional and performance additives used in motor oil… >>More

Contaminants: Although motor oil is subject to contamination from a number of metals related to wear, and abrasive material in the form of silicon when in use, new motor oil typically does not contain such metals at any appreciable levels. The presence of these metals (iron, aluminum, copper, lead, nickel, tin, sodium, potassium, etc.) in a new motor oil can indicate contamination from used oil, rust, abrasives, and others introduced to the product during blending, packaging, and/or transportation. Such contaminants can be harmful to an engine. Some can also be part of an additive, such as copper or sodium, but these are not often seen these days.

*Whereas silicon in the form of polydimethylpolysiloxane is commonly used as an antifoamant in motor oil, such use typically does not exceed 10ppm in new motor oil. Levels much above indicate possible contamination with abrasive material, silicone-based sealers, and/or transformer and hydraulic oil.

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