540 RAT

The samples were taken from brand new, thoroughly shaken bottles of oil. And all tests were performed at ALS Tribology, formerly Staveley Labs, in Sparks, Nevada. The oil samples are put into a Spectrometer which generates the results. This prevents the possibility of a technician introducing human error.

Amsoil 10W30 Z- Rod Oil synthetic ( lab tested 2011)
This one does NOT have the API symbol, but its text says it’s recommended for API SL and earlier applications.
Silicon = 4 ppm (anti-foaming agent in new oil, but in used oil, certain gasket materials and dirt can also add to this number)
Boron = <5 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Magnesium = 11 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Calcium = 2908 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Barium = 4 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Total detergent/dispersant (anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge) = 2927 ppm
Zinc = 1431 ppm (anti-wear)
Phos = 1441 ppm (anti-wear)
Moly = 52 ppm (anti-wear)
Total anti-wear = 2924 ppm
Potassium = <5 ppm (anti-freeze inhibitor)
Sodium = 0 ppm (anti-freeze inhibitor)
TBN = 8.3 (Total Base Number is an acid neutralizer to prevent corrosion. Most gasoline engine motor oils start with TBN around 8 or 9. And in use, this becomes depleted over time as mileage accumulates)
Viscosity (cSt at 100*C) = 11.6 (cSt range for SAE 30 is 9.3 to 12.4) And cSt (centistokes) in general terms, represents an oil’s thickness.

This oil is suitable for Classic Cars, High HP Street Hotrods and Street/Strip cars, as well as many dedicated race cars (including flat tappet setups and those with bronze dist gears).


Amsoil 0W30 Signature Series (25,000 miles) synthetic (lab tested 2011)
This one does NOT have the API symbol, but its text says it’s recommended for API SN applications
Silicon = 6 ppm (anti-foaming agent in new oil, but in used oil, certain gasket materials and dirt can also add to this number)
Boron = 191 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Magnesium = 18 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Calcium = 3354 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Barium = 1 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Total detergent/dispersant (anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge) = 3564 ppm
Zinc = 824 ppm (anti-wear)
Phos = 960 ppm (anti-wear)
Moly = 161 ppm (anti-wear)
Total anti-wear = 1945 ppm
Potassium = <5 ppm (anti-freeze inhibitor)
Sodium = 1 ppm (anti-freeze inhibitor)
TBN = 11.4 (Total Base Number is an acid neutralizer to prevent corrosion. Most gasoline engine motor oils start with TBN around 8 or 9. And in use, this becomes depleted over time as mileage accumulates)
Viscosity (cSt at 100*C) = 10.5 (cSt range for SAE 30 is 9.3 to 12.4) And cSt (centistokes) in general terms, represents an oil’s thickness.

Based on the lab results here, this oil is only suitable for modern cat equipped cars. But it is NOT suitable for Classic Cars, High HP Street Hotrods, Street/Strip cars nor race cars, because of its low zinc/phos levels.

Even though extended drain intervals are not really in the best interest of an engine, because motor oil is typically dark, dirty, contaminated and in need of changing by 5,000 miles, for those who absolutely insist on extended drain intervals, this may be one of the best oils for that. Because it has a lot of extra detergent and acid neutralizer (TBN), so that there is a lot of reserve to draw from as these become depleted over time.

As a comparison, Mobil 1 Extended Performance (15,000 miles), looks rather poor for extended drain intervals when compared to this Amsoil product. This Amsoil motor oil has over twice as much detergent, and 44% more TBN than Mobil 1 Extended Performance (15,000). Take a look below:


Mobil 1 5W30 Extended Performance (15,000 miles) API SN synthetic (lab tested 2011)
Silicon = 5 ppm (anti-foaming agent in new oil, but in used oil, certain gasket materials and dirt can also add to this number)
Boron = 89 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Magnesium = 666 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Calcium = 942 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Barium = 0 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Total detergent/dispersant (anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge) = 1697 ppm
Zinc = 890 ppm (anti-wear)
Phos = 819 ppm (anti-wear)
Moly = 104 ppm (anti-wear)
Total anti-wear = 1813 ppm
Potassium = <5 ppm (anti-freeze inhibitor)
Sodium = 0 ppm (anti-freeze inhibitor)
TBN = 7.9 (Total Base Number is an acid neutralizer to prevent corrosion. Most gasoline engine motor oils start with TBN around 8 or 9. And in use, this becomes depleted over time as mileage accumulates)
Viscosity (cSt at 100*C) = 10.5 (cSt range for SAE 30 is 9.3 to 12.4) And cSt (centistokes) in general terms, represents an oil’s thickness.

The detergent, anti-wear and TBN components of this Extended Performance oil are either about average or below average for typical API SN oils (even though some of the components are a little higher than in its standard Mobil 1 counterpart). TBN eventually becomes depleted as miles accumulate on oil in service. That’s “one” of the primary reasons for changing oil in the first place, to replenish the exhausted additive package.

And it’s not unusual to see TBN values drop by as much as 60% from the original value, in only 5,000 miles. And with this oil starting out with a fairly low TBN value to begin with, it would seem very unlikely it could ever go a whopping 15,000 miles without having the TBN totally depleted well before reaching that 15,000 mile mark. So, this extended mileage claim appears to be only an unsupported marketing gimmick.

But, for those who insist on long drain intervals, I’d suggest sending in a sample of this oil and having it lab tested at about the half way mark of 7,500 miles to see how much, if any, TBN remains.

Yes, the Amsoil says 25,000 miles, where the Mobil 1 Extended Performance only says 15,000 miles, but here’s a comparison to other modern API SM/SN motor oils to see how they all stack up detergent and TBN-wise:

........................................ .......... Zinc.........Phos......Moly....Total det.........TBN

Amsoil 0W30 Sig. Series API SN..........824..........960.......161.. .....3564 ...........11.4
Mobil 1 5W30 API SN.......................801...........8 42.......1 12......1489............7.5
Mobil 1 5W30 Ext. Perf. API SN...........890..........819.......104. ......1697 ............7.9
Quaker State 5W30 Ult. Dur. API SN.....877..........921.........72...... .2845..... .......7.9
Valvoline 5W30 SYNPower API SN..........969..........761.........0.. ......2628 ............7.1
Pennzoil 5W30 Ultra API SM.................806..........812..... ...66..... ..3387..........10.3
Castol 5W30 Edge API SM....................955..........799.. .....149.. .....3277..........10
Castrol 5W30 Edge w/Ti API SN............818..........883.......90. .......1810..........10.1
Castrol 5W20 Edge w/Ti API SN...........1042..........857......100. ......1952 ...........9.5
Castrol 5W30 GTX API SM....................888..........873.. ......0... ......2982............7.5
Royal Purple 5W30 API SN....................942..........817.. ......0... ......2834...........7.7
Royal Purple 5W20 API SN....................964..........892.. .......0.. ......2875..........7.7

Caliber350

Nice info. Just curious though, who's interpretations (yours or the labs) follow each set of data?

elle88

I use the Amsoil amo 10w40 . i suppose it's close to the first one .I hope....

Mashman

Is the 10w40 you are using part of the Z-Rod product line? That's a special line with high levels of ZDDP. So if the amsoil oil you are using wasn't part of the z-rod family, I wouldn't assume it has similiar levels as the one that was.

63mako

Here is a VOA on the AMO 10W-40. Higher TBN and detergent for extended drain, comparable Z&P. The Z rod 10W-30 probably has a better additive package for your application if you change oil at or under 3000 miles but is a lower viscocity. It is new and was not available when your engine was delivered. To bad they don't make it in a 10W-40. I would stick with what your using because of the higher viscocity.
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