Viscosity Index of some oils

[Built_Well]

Viscosity Index of some oils (I think, generally, the higher the number here, the better). All these oils are 0w30 or 5w30:

R.L.I. BioSyn 0w30 = 193

Red Line 0w30 = 183

Amsoil SSO 0w30 = 173

Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 = 169
- - (PP still doesn't offer a 0w-30, just a 0w-20)

Mobil 1 EP 5w30 = 169
- - (Mobil does offer a 0w30 but does not provide
- - a spec sheet for it on its web site(!), just for 5w30)

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: Built_Well
Viscosity Index of some oils (I think, generally, the higher the number here, the better). All these oils are 0w30 or 5w30:

...
Mobil 1 EP 5w30 = 169
- - (Mobil does offer a 0w30 but does not provide
- - a spec sheet for it on its web site(!), just for 5w30)


E-M does provide a spec sheet for its 0w30 oil, but alas, that spec sheet does not include the VI of this product. Otherwise, the specs look pretty good.

Click here to see PDS for Mobil-1 0w-30AFE.

 

[Built_Well]

Originally Posted By: ekpolk
E-M does provide a spec sheet for its 0w30 oil, but alas, that spec sheet does not include the VI of this product. Otherwise, the specs look pretty good.

Click here to see PDS for Mobil-1 0w-30AFE.


Ah, thank you very much for that information

 

[brian12]

I always thought the lower the number the better. Doesn't a higher number mean more VI improvers which can shear?

 

[ekpolk]

No problem at all. The way the two AFE ("advanced fuel economy") oils are displayed is a tad confusing. They're an added layer down the menu tree from the other normal M1 oils. Both 0w30 and 0w-20 are "hiding" behind that extra link, unlike all the other standard M1 products.

 

[Built_Well]

Originally Posted By: brian12

I always thought the lower the number the better. Doesn't a higher number mean more VI improvers which can shear?


Not sure because I'm a novice at this, but I think "Viscosity Index" and "Viscosity Index improvers" are two different numbers.

Some oils like Group 5 POEs have a naturally robust viscosity range which means they require fewer VI improvers to achieve a wide viscosity range like 0w30 or 0w-40.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: Built_Well
Viscosity Index of some oils (I think, generally, the higher the number here, the better).....


Not true. If an oil has a naturally high VI, then that is fine. If the oil uses VII's to get the VI to be larger, then perhaps it's not better (more prone to shear) than an oil with a naturally lower VI.

Nothing magical about VI. Just another aspect of oil. Cheese, but simple definition:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscosity_index

 

[sunfire]

Originally Posted By: ekpolk

E-M does provide a spec sheet for its 0w30 oil, but alas, that spec sheet does not include the VI of this product. Otherwise, the specs look pretty good.

Click here to see PDS for Mobil-1 0w-30AFE.


Viscosity Index is a calculated value. You can use a VI calculator to determine the VI.

M1 AFE 0W-20 => VI 171
M1 AFE 0w30 => VI 169

 

[Built_Well]

Good point, Pablo. For other novices like myself, the VII that Pablo mentions is an abbreviation for "Viscosity Index improvers."

I don't think Red Line's 0w30 oil has a higher Viscosity Index than Amsoil's SSO oil because Red Line uses more Viscosity Index improvers, since Red Line's Group 5 oil is a POE, and POEs are naturally robust when it comes to achieving wide viscosity ranges.

But don't worry, Pablo I'm still going to try Amsoil SSO next before Red Line [he he] since Amsoil SSO has a very high TBN, and Red Line's spec sheet doesn't show its TBN number. So my guess is Amsoil SSO has a higher TBN than Red Line

 

[Pablo]

Actually you are incorrect. Redline readily states they use VII's in their 0w30 (just posted this week). Redline actually uses PAO's in their oils, it's just a rumor that they are all POE. Estimates vary on how much, 30-70% would be about right.

 

[ADFD1]

Originally Posted By: sunfire
Originally Posted By: ekpolk

E-M does provide a spec sheet for its 0w30 oil, but alas, that spec sheet does not include the VI of this product. Otherwise, the specs look pretty good.

Click here to see PDS for Mobil-1 0w-30AFE.


Viscosity Index is a calculated value. You can use a VI calculator to determine the VI.

M1 AFE 0W-20 => VI 171
M1 AFE 0w30 => VI 169


Well then if higher is better the 0W20 is better than the 0W30 according one of the above statements. What exactly does better mean?

 

[Built_Well]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Actually you are incorrect. Redline readily states they use VII's in their 0w30 (just posted this week).


Pablo, with all due respect, now you're delving into rhetoric. I never said Red Line doesn't use VII's, just that they probably don't use a lot of VII's in their oils. I would suppose Amsoil's Group 4 (IV) oils also use some VII's, but not a whole lot, as Group 4 PAO oils are good oils, too.

By the way, this Bio-Syn oil I'm using right now is so quiet. I'm glad I tried it before Amsoil SSO. However, I'll now try some Amsoil, and I will be crediting Chris Puyear as my local Amsoil agent [chuckle]

 

[SpitfireS]

Shell Helix Ultra X 0W-30
VI = 164
That's pretty low, compared to the other 0W-30's.
Probably because its only 9.6 cSt @ 100C
UOA's confirmed it did not shear down after 19k km in an S2000.

 

[Pablo]

Sorry I was not trying to be rhetorical. I could see how it would be taken this way, and you did say "more". But you did write "Red Line's Group 5 oil is a POE" - well that seemed to rhetorical!

Or at least redundant

Quote:
I don't think Red Line's 0w30 oil has a higher Viscosity Index than Amsoil's SSO oil because Red Line uses more Viscosity Index improvers, since Red Line's Group 5 oil is a POE, and POEs are naturally robust when it comes to achieving wide viscosity ranges.


Anyway I think VI is just an overused number. It's not that meaningful other that helping to classify oils at the broad range level.

 

[wileyE]

If we ran pure base stock in our engines then VI might be something to watch. Since we run finished products that contain VI improvers, pour point depressants and other additives that can effect VI, it's not really a good indicator of oil quality. Also grp 3, 4, 5 should NOT be considered good, better, best.

 

[BuickGN]

I'm not concerned with VI in my climate. The typical startup temp in the summer is 75-105 degrees. No reason to have a super high VI.

Now someone in a cold climate whose oil sees a 200 degree temperature change might want the higher VI....maybe.

 

[Tom NJ]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Anyway I think VI is just an overused number. It's not that meaningful other that helping to classify oils at the broad range level.


Originally Posted By: wileyE
If we ran pure base stock in our engines then VI might be something to watch. Since we run finished products that contain VI improvers, pour point depressants and other additives that can effect VI, it's not really a good indicator of oil quality. Also grp 3, 4, 5 should NOT be considered good, better, best.


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