Mobile 1 vs Amsoil

November 20th, 2008
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They Say Nothing Outperforms Mobil
1? Wrong!

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.
NOACK
Volatility
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.
Four
Ball Wear
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.
Flash/Fire
Point
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.
Pour
Point
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
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.