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Bottled Brands

Company and Product Information

Corporate Office:
Bottled Brands
Chicago, IL

Website(s): No Website Found

 

PETROLEUM QUALITY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA TEST PROGRAM

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is an independent resource for information and insights on the quality of lubricants in the marketplace. Our mission is to serve the consumer of lubricants by randomly sampling and independently testing lubricants taken from the field. Test results are posted along with the brand names on the PQIA website. This webpage provides an analysis on the brand detailed below.

The following are the test results for the sample examined.

MAG 5 STAR
SAE 10-30 Motor Oil

Product: MAG 5 STAR
Viscosity Grade: "SAE 10-30"
Labeling: "Rated API SA"

Manufactured By: Bottled Brands, Chicago, IL

Purchased at: Chicago Heights, IL

Date of purchase: 11/15/2016

 

Website(s): No Website Found

Test Results and Assessment:


The results of the tests conducted on this sample are NOT consistent with the API SA Service Category listed on the product label. This is an OBSOLETE category that the API states "Contains no additives.” This product does contain additives; including detergent and antiwear, but not at a level suitable for use in the majority of automobile engines currently on the road. Further, the metal analysis results for this sample indicate the product may be contaminated with engine coolant, used oil and abrasive material.

Adding to PQIA's concerns is the claim that this is a multigrade SAE 10-30 motor oil that is "rated API SA and is not suitable for most gasoline engines manufactured after 1951." By definition, API SA motor oils are straight mineral oils that contain no additives, and therefore cannot be multi-viscosity grade products; the terms API SA and multigrade are mutually exclusive. Furthermore, the API states that SA oils are not suitable for most gasoline engines manufactured after 1930 (not 1951 as shown on the product label). 

Use of this product in automobile engines will likely cause harm to the engine.

 

bottle icon Physical Properties pass
Elemental Analysis pass
Labeling warning

Note: Although laboratory tests alone cannot be used to establish if engine oil meets an API Service Category, they can be used to determine if it doesn't.

PHYSICAL TESTS (click for test details) - a Standard MAG 5 STAR
TBN, mg KOH/g (ASTM D2896) 4.43
Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt (ASTM D445) 9.3 to <12.5 - c
Viscosity @40ºC, cSt (ASTM D445) 54.0
Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270) - c
Viscosity @-25ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 7,000 Max 5,617
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS (click for test details) - a, b
Additives
Calcium 1,011
Magnesium 36
Phosphorus, ppm   540
Zinc, ppm 716
Molybdenum,  ppm 11
Barium, ppm 1
Boron, ppm 38
Silicon, ppm 154
Potassium, ppm 9
Manganese, ppm 0
Titanium, ppm 3
Copper, ppm 8
Sodium, ppm 17
Vanadium, ppm 0
Contaminants
Silver, ppm 0
Aluminum, ppm 0
Chromium, ppm 0
Iron, ppm 24
Nickel, ppm 1
Lead, ppm 1
Antimony, ppm 0
Tin, ppm 0
  1. Standards, shown in yellow are established by API, SAE and others.
  2. Test Method for metal analysis is ASTM D5185.
  3. Viscosity at 100°C and Viscosity Index could not be determined due to water contamination in the sample.