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Engine Oil Report Preview

An Engine Oil 411 report compares the oil you select to other oils of the same SAE viscosity grade and service classification in our database of the most recent four years of testing. It shows the range of variation if several samples of your oil have been tested. Each report package includes an Engine Oil Reference sheet with keys to understanding the report, and an eBook, The ABCs of Engine Oil. The eBook addresses common questions about oil and lubrication and explains the significance of each test.

The Engine Oil 411 Engine Oil Report is a one-page sheet that clearly and simply shows how an oil of your choice performed on nine critical lab tests listed below

Starting Viscosity (ASTM D5293) - Startability or how easily the oil flow will let your engine start at cold temperatures (more...)
Pumping Viscosity (ASTM D4684) - Pumpability or how easily an oil will flow from the oil pump in colder temperatures (more...)
Gelation Index (ASTM D5133) - Gelling Tendency, which is an oil's tendency to form gelated structures at colder temperatures, making flow to the oil pump more difficult (more...)
Operating Viscosity (ASTM D4683) - The ability of an oil to lubricate critical areas of the engine such as in the bearings and on the cylinder walls (more...)
Fuel Efficiency Index – A measure of the effect of engine oil viscosity on fuel efficiency (more...)
Oxidation Resistance (ASTM 4742) - The ability of an oil to resist the attack of oxygen during engine operation (more...)
Volatility (ASTM D5800) - The percentage of oil which may be lost through evaporation or burn-off during engine operation (more...)
Shear Stability - The percent of viscosity which may be lost during engine operation (more...)
Acid Resistance (ASTM D2896) - The ability of the oil to neutralize harmful acids which are formed in the process of fuel combustion and oil oxidation (more...)

When you order an Engine Oil 411 report on a specific brand and type of engine oil, test data for that oil is extracted and compared to test data from hundreds of other oils purchased in the same broad geographic region such as North America, Europe, and Asia. To make sure accurate comparisons are made, only oils of the same SAE viscosity grade and service classification are compared.

If more than one sample of a particular brand of oil has been tested, as is frequently the case, the range of data for all samples of that brand is compared and reported along with the data for the most recent sample collected. This allows you see the variation in test results, if any, of different samples of the same oil purchased at different times and locations. Less variation indicates a more consistent processing of the oil.

Engine Oil 411 reports are the only independent source of hard data about the oils consumers routinely pour into their engine. The reports are based on thousands of oil samples collected by an independent organization called the Institute of Materials (IOM). Oils are only purchased from the retail market wherever the general public shops.

Choosing a good engine oil is, by far, the least expensive insurance you can buy for your vehicle. Engine Oil 411 can eliminate the guesswork so that you can tailor your choice of oil to your engine and driving conditions.

Click on the Engine Oil 411 Engine Oil Report or Reference Sheet below for a larger version.