AMSOIL INC. set out to examine the specifics
of the overly broad “Nothing Outperforms...” Mobil
claim. AMSOIL 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil (ASL) and Mobil 1
SuperSyn 5W-30 Motor Oil were analyzed in five key bench tests
measuring motor oil performance: NOACK volatility, flash/fire
point, pour point, four ball wear and total base number (TBN).
As shown in the charts below, AMSOIL outperformed Mobil
1 in ALL FIVE areas.
The
NOACK Volatility Test determines the evaporation loss of lubricants
in high-temperature service. The more motor oils vaporize,
the thicker and heavier they become, contributing to poor
circulation, reduced fuel economy, increased oil consumption
and excessive wear and emissions. A maximum of 15 percent
evaporation loss is allowable to meet the API SL and ILSAC
GF-3 specifications. As shown in the graph, AMSOIL 5W-30 Synthetic
Motor Oil lost an extremely low 4.9 percent of its original
weight during high-temperature service, maintaining its superior
protective and performance qualities,while Mobil 1 SuperSyn
5W-30 Motor Oil lost 9.17 percent of its original weight.
The
Four Ball Wear Test determines the wear protection properties
of a lubricant by measuring the wear scars produced by four
metal balls in sliding contact under the test parameters.
The smaller the average wear scar, the better the wear protection
provided by the lubricant. As shown in the graph, AMSOIL 5W-30
Synthetic Motor Oil completed the Four Ball Wear Test producing
a smaller wear scar than the Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5W-30 Motor
Oil.
The
Flash/Fire Point Test determines the lowest temperatures at
which application of a flame will cause lubricant vapors to
ignite (flash point) and sustain burning for five seconds
(fire point). Lubricants with higher flash and fire points exhibit
more stable volatility characteristics and are safer to use
and transport. As shown in the graph, AMSOIL 5W-30 Synthetic
Motor Oil has higher flash and fire points than does Mobil
1 SuperSyn 5W-30 Motor Oil.
The
Pour Point Test determines the lowest temperature at which
a lubricant flows.The lower a lubricant’s pour point,the
better protection it provides in low-temperature service.As shown in the graph, AMSOIL 5W-30 Synthetic Motor
Oil has a lower pour point than Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5W-30 Motor
Oil.
Total
Base Number (TBN) is the measurement of a lubricant’s
reserve alkalinity. The higher a motor oil’s TBN, the
more effective it is in handling contaminants and reducing
the corrosive effects of acids for an extended period of
time. As shown in the graph, AMSOIL 5W-30 Synthetic
Motor Oil has a higher TBN than Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5W-30 Motor
Oil.
The
Four Ball Wear Test determines the wear protection properties
of a lubricant by measuring the wear scars produced by four
metal balls in sliding contact under the test parameters.
The smaller the average wear scar, the better the wear protection
provided by the lubricant. As shown in the graph, AMSOIL 5W-30
Synthetic Motor Oil completed the Four Ball Wear Test producing
a smaller wear scar than the Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5W-30 Motor
Oil.
The
Flash/Fire Point Test determines the lowest temperatures at
which application of a flame will cause lubricant vapors to
ignite (flash point) and sustain burning for five seconds
(fire point).
Lubricants with higher flash and fire points exhibit
more stable volatility characteristics and are safer to use
and transport. As shown in the graph, AMSOIL 5W-30 Synthetic
Motor Oil has higher flash and fire points than does Mobil
1 SuperSyn 5W-30 Motor Oil. 
The
Pour Point Test determines the lowest temperature at which
a lubricant flows.The lower a lubricant’s pour point,the
better protection it provides in low-temperature service.
As shown in the graph, AMSOIL 5W-30 Synthetic Motor
Oil has a lower pour point than Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5W-30 Motor
Oil. 
Total
Base Number (TBN) is the measurement of a lubricant’s
reserve alkalinity. The higher a motor oil’s TBN, the
more effective it is in handling contaminants and reducing
the corrosive effects of acids for an extended period of
time.
As shown in the graph, AMSOIL 5W-30 Synthetic
Motor Oil has a higher TBN than Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5W-30 Motor
Oil.